Article May 30, 1925 Issue

On Finding Happiness

EVELYN MAUDE PRITCHETT

Happiness is one of the most desirable, yet sometimes most elusive, states of human consciousness. Most of us are seeking it,—some in money, others in friends, in society, in environment, in work. But how many remain unsatisfied! Money brings responsibility and often fear; friends fail; pleasures and even agreeable environments pall. The seeker for happiness perhaps fails to understand why his legitimate desire for happiness is unfulfilled. Before hearing of the teachings of Christian Science, like the rest of mankind the writer was looking for happiness. She had decided it could come only in one way; and the advent of Christian Science seemed the fulfillment of promise.

But for many years the writer still struggled for happiness, fighting a sense of disappointment that Christian Science did not bring it in the way she desired. Gradually she endeavored to say, "Thy will be done," and to admit God's will as the only one. However, mortal sense, unconvinced, still limited the source of happiness; but as self-will and pride were relinquished, the meaning of Mrs. Eddy's words in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 57), "Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love," began to dawn upon her thought. She saw that to be happy one must find God; that when happiness is understood to be a quality of divine Mind, independent of matter, everyday events may be increasingly enjoyed, supply more unselfishly shared, friends more lovingly helped, and pleasures made a channel for cheering others. This consciousness of true happiness brought freedom from the mesmerism that had bound her. No longer did she outline the way in which she should realize happiness. As a result, even human circumstances were found to prove God's way to be the best way, and brought unexpected joys and blessings. Capacities for doing good through Christian Science were enlarged and increased.

Then suddenly a new environment claimed to reverse the demonstration of happiness. Opportunities to help others appeared nonexistent; to share Christian Science did not seem possible. All the channels for giving seemed blocked. Discouragement and even despair crept in. A loving Christian Scientist pointed out that she must still maintain mentally her right to be happy and active, and some step would be unfolded whereby she could prove her right. This decision immediately brought fruits. Discouragement vanished. There came seekers and inquirers about Christian Science. Channels for blessing others were opened up. Our beloved Leader's words in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 224) were illumined: "We should go forth into life with the smallest expectations, but with the largest patience; ... with a charity broad enough to cover the whole world's evil, and sweet enough to neutralize what is bitter in it,—determined not to be offended when no wrong is meant, nor even when it is, unless the offense be against God."

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