Article November 12, 1938 Issue

True Happiness

HOWARD J. CHAMBERS

Who has not asked himself at some period whether happiness is attainable? Many have been measurably happy for a period of years, some for a great number of years perhaps. Others have never experienced any satisfying degree of happiness. Yet all, even those who have been happiest, have felt, all too frequently, the precarious nature of human existence, and ahve dreaded the loss of those conditions or relationships on which they believed human happiness depended.

So the very important question naturally arises, "Can a true sense of happiness, as real, indestructible, permanent, be attained?" To this, Science unhesitatingly answers with an unqualified "Yes." It is true without reservations, as thousands of Christian Scientists have proved. No material circumstances can prevent its achievement, and none can destroy it.

Happiness is defined, in part, as "a state of well-being characterized by relative permanence, by dominantly agreeable emotion ranging in value from mere content to positive felicity, and by a natural desire for its continuation." True happiness is not found in a succession of "good times," in idleness, or, least of all, in sensual indulgence. Happiness is not a material state to be striven for, but a spiritual state to be realized. It accompanies true living. It is the inevitable result of intelligent service. Happiness comes as self drops out of sight. The selfish person, seeking happiness, may never find it, any more than the individual who continues to believe himself sick is likely to receive healing. Happiness appears as selfishness disappears. Material wealth cannot buy happiness, while genial, loving service to God and man brings peace and freedom.

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