Page 46 - NAMAH-Oct-2016

Think it over

The habit of happiness

Dian Huff Kiser

Abstract
Are human beings capable of developing or increasing happiness? Do we possess the ability to create our
happiness from divinely endowed inner resources? This article examines the animal aspect of the fear-
flight instinct as it evolves into humanity’s conscious potential to chart a path to happiness and greater
connectivity between mind and soul. Happiness need not be elusive. Even very simple steps such as
smiling, laughing and being optimistic can promote inner and outer happiness. There are many habits
human beings acknowledge can be developed — eating, sleeping, exercising. Happiness is one that can be
most positive and life-enhancing.

“The best way to express one’s gratitude to the Divine is to feel simply happy (1).”

Sounds simple enough. Abraham Lincoln may even be an attraction and ingrained habit
exclaimed, “Most folks are as happy as to the ways of conflict, control, drama and
they make their minds up to be”. But how division. What is unhappiness feeding within
do we learn about the habit of happiness them, tricks of the ego?
and teach ourselves about this remarkable
tool and power we possess within? Do both Animals, like humans, can feel fear and pain.
humans and animals express happiness? This is obvious in the wild; after all, fear is a
Can we actually experience and even control function of survival. For eons, evolutionary
this cerebral, emotional, spiritual inheritance human development depended on the ‘fight
of every living being to live happily every or flight’ syndrome, as well. This seems to
day, in fact, every moment of our lives? Is it be dissipating in the human realm though.
even possible? Are there people who actually The idea that animals can feel pain has also
do not want to experience happiness and been proven through reputable clinical tests
would foolishly choose rather to be fearful, and even by such notoriously unenlightened
unhappy, depressed, victims of all sorts of psychologists such as B.F. Skinner. If animals
circumstances? Do we need to learn the skills clearly feel pain and fear, what about the other
to being happy? It seems so; for some there end of the spectrum? A debate continues over

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