How are you Happy?

 There are several ways that people find true peace and contentment in this world. People who are truly wise choose to do what will fill their hearts and bless others. They are the ones who have found a purpose to pursue.

1. Some are happy to know that their job is like a direct imitation of the mission of Christ, to serve others however they can, and they don't mind the struggle and sacrifice. 

2. Some have found the "sweet spot" for being employed: a) They like doing the work, b) They are skilled or talented at it, c) They believe that it is needed, d) Others will pay them to do it. 

3. Some feel that it is enough to earn sufficient goods to be able to support the next generation of family well without betraying morality. 

4. Some find ways to express their inner values for the benefit of the world, and are willing to accept whatever return they receive and manage to live within their means. 

5. Some seek to be content with needing as little as possible, so they can work less at onerous jobs that no one else wants, and thus be free to pursue other interests and values. 

But there are also several ways that people live in this world that look successful, yet provide only an illusion of happiness. They measure themselves by comparison to others, and only think they are happy when they are rising higher. 

1. Some choose a job on the basis of how much money it will bring in, and follow the path of accumulating stockpiles of goods and wealth. 

2. Some pretend to speak for others to sway public opinion, and manipulate people for the sake of leadership, power and approval. 

3. Some follow wherever society points for them to go and do, seeking advancement through the ranks of class and privilege.

4. Some want to be rich and famous, and use their talents for entertaining the nameless masses who want to be amused. 

And then, some people accept the expectation that they are simply destined to be poor and oppressed. Life is always going to be a struggle, and there are times when suffering will be our lot. They can only try to find a relative value of happiness when their daily goals may be met. 

1. Some merely accept any work that they can do, denying their conscience so long as it's legal, trying only to ease the burden on their family, submitting to the indignity of laboring for others just to get the resources to live.

2. Some do whatever they can find to get what they need, and regret that they sometimes have to lie, cheat or steal just to survive. 

3. Some disregard the dictates of morality, and even legality, altogether to get what they want, and despise others who disdain their methods, or redefine their morality to justify themselves.

These last are never truly happy, no matter what they tell themselves. Their lives are meaningless, or worse, accruing justified punishment if they are caught in this life, or later, in the next. They cannot help but know this, unless they have some mental defects. They are to be pitied, and need to be corrected and reeducated. It is well that there are usually so few of these who choose a life of crime. 

But this all began with a question. How are you happy?  Did you find yourself in the top section of the list? If so, good for you. You are blessed. If you saw your lifestyle in the second portion, you probably need to reconsider your goals and desires for the future. There may be serious pitfalls in the road ahead, try as you might to avoid them. And if you see yourself in the bottom section, please do something to get out of your situation. Get an education. Find help. Ask God to save you from yourself. That's a dead end road. Don't delude yourself saying that it doesn't matter anyway. 

Of course, everyone goes through some kind of suffering in their lives. This is not yet Heaven. We are being tested, to see if we can muster the faith to choose a life directed toward the purpose God chose for us. But we can also choose to deny that we were created to be loved, refusing to love our neighbors and do what we know we should. We only hurt ourselves when we turn away from God, who sent his Son to save us. Now, in this world, it is time to pray.