Readers get a glimpse of how to follow the path to the 'Good Life' in Jonathan Haidt's book The Happiness Hypothesis. In response to reading a few selected chapters of his book, interest was piqued! I would like to read the book in its entirety. I liked that his perspective was not limited to an individual faith or school of thought; he presents ancient wisdom from Greek philosophers next to modern day research findings. He puts forth ten great ideas that helps readers whittle down how, at our core, we can be transformed. Finding purpose and meaning in our lives, growing psychologically and morally, getting along with others are all ways that can lead us to a happy, 'good' life (Haidt, 2006 p. 22). We must understand the functions and abilities of our minds and bodies and through experience, gain wisdom. Life's basic questions should be tackled holistically and with balance. True happiness is more than just getting what we think we want. Take it from Epictetus, "do not seek to have events happen as you want them to, but instead want them to happen as they do happen, and your life will go well" (p. 81).
One way that we (educators/community leaders/mentors) can guide children on the path to the 'Good Life' is to create environments where they are safe; safe to experiment with new ways of thinking, safe to try novel approaches problem-solving, safe to manifest their unbridled creativity. Haidt purports that two basic goals guide children's behavior: safety and exploration (Haidt, p. 113). A safe environment is absent of fear and it is in this type of environment where creativity and personal growth can flourish. In Spirituality of Art, the authors Lois Huey-Heck and Kim Kalnin reveal how having faith in untapped creativity and letting go of fear is "incredibly liberating and empowering" (Huey-Heck & Kalnin, 2006, p. 129). In order to empower the children we interact with, we must provide safety. For me, fear is a roadblock to happiness. When this roadblock seems insurmountable, I am empowered by the words of Paul and Timothy in Philippians 4:4,
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (NIV)
In addition to creating a safe atmosphere, it is important that children have positive role models -- positive in the sense that are good and do no harm, but also in the sense that they reflect hope and joy. From The Happiness Hypothesis: "evidence shows that people who have pervasive positive thoughts about themselves and their abilities are happier" (Haidt, 68). Leaders and educators must demonstrate the values they seek to instill in children they serve. Justice, service, love, reconciliation, peace, and community are positive components of a 'good' and happy life that children deserve.
Another way that we can help children discover the 'Good Life' is to embody the love of Christ. Haidt mentions two kinds of Christian love (Haidt, pp. 130-131): caritas (intense benevolence and goodwill) and agape (selfless, spiritual love). He shares his personal opinion that "caritas and agape are beautiful, but they are not related to or derived from the kinds of love that people need" (p. 131). Haidt feels safe in expressing his opinion in his book and I feel confident in sharing my opinion in this blog; I disagree with him! I view the world through the lens of God's love and feel that the 'Good Life' is only possible through Him. It is no secret God wants us to be happy! The aforementioned quote from Philippians is just a taste of the myriad references to happiness found the Bible. A quick visit to the Old Testament book of Psalms presents the reader a trove of exclamations of happiness! Words that drip with positivity such as thanksgiving, greatness, exalt, joy, salvation, love are peppered throughout the books of the Bible. In Psalm 100:2 we are told to give thanks enthusiastically:
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. (NIV)
The discoveries I make as I follow my personal spiritual path are leading me to the 'good life.' I have learned to love my unique self and listen to the quiet longings of my heart. I am motivated to follow my passions and seek to squelch the fear that compromises my future successes. I am fueled by love from God and try to mirror that divine love. I am grateful for my faith, family, friends and community; they enrich my life and infuse joy into my being. My spirituality is expressed through my hands and the images I create. The practice of art gives me immeasurable contentment and a sense of purpose. As an artist-disciple, I am touched by the words "if approached with an open mind and much patience" art can become a "meditation or a visual prayer" (Huey-Heck & Kalnin, p. 53). Similarly, with an open mind and patience, I can discover the 'Good Life' and help others on their journey.
References:
Haidt, Jonathan. The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom. Basic Books,
2006.
Huey-Heck, Lois, and Jim Kalnin. Spirituality of Art. Kelowna: Northstone Publishing, 2006.
Philippians 4:4-6, Psalm 100:2. The Holy Bible. 1973. Reprint. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984.
One way that we (educators/community leaders/mentors) can guide children on the path to the 'Good Life' is to create environments where they are safe; safe to experiment with new ways of thinking, safe to try novel approaches problem-solving, safe to manifest their unbridled creativity. Haidt purports that two basic goals guide children's behavior: safety and exploration (Haidt, p. 113). A safe environment is absent of fear and it is in this type of environment where creativity and personal growth can flourish. In Spirituality of Art, the authors Lois Huey-Heck and Kim Kalnin reveal how having faith in untapped creativity and letting go of fear is "incredibly liberating and empowering" (Huey-Heck & Kalnin, 2006, p. 129). In order to empower the children we interact with, we must provide safety. For me, fear is a roadblock to happiness. When this roadblock seems insurmountable, I am empowered by the words of Paul and Timothy in Philippians 4:4,
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (NIV)
In addition to creating a safe atmosphere, it is important that children have positive role models -- positive in the sense that are good and do no harm, but also in the sense that they reflect hope and joy. From The Happiness Hypothesis: "evidence shows that people who have pervasive positive thoughts about themselves and their abilities are happier" (Haidt, 68). Leaders and educators must demonstrate the values they seek to instill in children they serve. Justice, service, love, reconciliation, peace, and community are positive components of a 'good' and happy life that children deserve.
Another way that we can help children discover the 'Good Life' is to embody the love of Christ. Haidt mentions two kinds of Christian love (Haidt, pp. 130-131): caritas (intense benevolence and goodwill) and agape (selfless, spiritual love). He shares his personal opinion that "caritas and agape are beautiful, but they are not related to or derived from the kinds of love that people need" (p. 131). Haidt feels safe in expressing his opinion in his book and I feel confident in sharing my opinion in this blog; I disagree with him! I view the world through the lens of God's love and feel that the 'Good Life' is only possible through Him. It is no secret God wants us to be happy! The aforementioned quote from Philippians is just a taste of the myriad references to happiness found the Bible. A quick visit to the Old Testament book of Psalms presents the reader a trove of exclamations of happiness! Words that drip with positivity such as thanksgiving, greatness, exalt, joy, salvation, love are peppered throughout the books of the Bible. In Psalm 100:2 we are told to give thanks enthusiastically:
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. (NIV)
The discoveries I make as I follow my personal spiritual path are leading me to the 'good life.' I have learned to love my unique self and listen to the quiet longings of my heart. I am motivated to follow my passions and seek to squelch the fear that compromises my future successes. I am fueled by love from God and try to mirror that divine love. I am grateful for my faith, family, friends and community; they enrich my life and infuse joy into my being. My spirituality is expressed through my hands and the images I create. The practice of art gives me immeasurable contentment and a sense of purpose. As an artist-disciple, I am touched by the words "if approached with an open mind and much patience" art can become a "meditation or a visual prayer" (Huey-Heck & Kalnin, p. 53). Similarly, with an open mind and patience, I can discover the 'Good Life' and help others on their journey.
References:
Haidt, Jonathan. The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom. Basic Books,
2006.
Huey-Heck, Lois, and Jim Kalnin. Spirituality of Art. Kelowna: Northstone Publishing, 2006.
Philippians 4:4-6, Psalm 100:2. The Holy Bible. 1973. Reprint. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984.