Editorial February 16, 1929 Issue

Enduring Happiness

Violet Ker Seymer

The desire for happiness is entirely legitimate, and if one fails to attain it, this is because his efforts have been misdirected. Mortals are wont to look to persons or to some phase of materiality for satisfaction, whereas real happiness is a spiritual impartation of divine Mind; therefore it can be enjoyed only in proportion as one's thoughts and aims are controlled by divine Principle, Love. True happiness is the irradiation of divine Love. Thus happiness is within reach of all who learn to seek it at its source and realize its true nature.

Why, then, does it seem to be so fitful and precarious in the experience of mortals? Because mortals mostly seek for happiness through self-love instead of through unselfed love. It is sought for and fought for, through the accumulation of material possessions, through idolatry, monopoly, or through fruitless pleasures. In other words, it is generally believed that happiness centers in, and depends upon, outward objects. Seeking for satisfaction through corporeal sense, mortals place their happiness at the mercy of all that is imperfect and mutable, and this mistaken sense of happiness is fettered by many fears.

The fact that disillusion inevitably follows in the train of material illusion, is in itself a hopeful sign, indicating that there is in the human heart a latent and still unsatisfied desire for better things. But until this desire springs into activity, self-indulgence hinders spiritual regeneration and the foes of happiness continue their depredations. On page 118 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy writes, "Self-ignorance, self-will, self-righteousness, lust, covetousness, envy, revenge, are foes to grace, peace, and progress; they must be met manfully and overcome, or they will uproot all happiness."

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