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Kris Hernandez

Jon Beadle

English 115

February 20, 2019

Key To Happiness?

Happiness is a complex emotion that is difficult to obtain depending on the space

we are in. In fact, many philosophers ponder how to obtain true happiness. In today’s society,

with many stressing over money, work, others suffer the loss of a loved on, people are afraid of

falling and just want to remain happy always. But is that how we should live our lives, always

happy? David Brooks, Graham Hill, and Sonja Lyubomirsky, all challenge the topic on

happiness and express their opinion to persuade us the ways of true happiness either with their

own past sufferings , biological facts, or self experience. Some authors beg to differ with nature

vs something we can manipulate, or materialism . Overall, their ideas correspond with one

another in their own unique individual way.

The phrase “No Pain, No Gain” (Fonda) is a underrated quote. Similarly, David

Brooks claims that without suffering we cannot truly experience happiness. Brooks also includes

past presidents’ experience on suffering during their lifetimes in order to achieve happiness. He

states, “ Think of the way Franklin Roosevelt came back deeper and more empathetic after being

struck with polio”(Brooks, 284). Roosevelt changed completely after his mind was focused on

suffering, it cleared his inner state so he can achieve happiness. Most people are afraid of the

concept of suffering and want to live happily all the time, but that isn’t always realistic. Brooks

also mentions, “The suffering involved in their tasks become a fearful gift and very different than
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that equal and other gift, happiness, conventionally defined” (Brooks, 287). Suffering challenges

our mind to focus on our conflict, overcoming challenges lets us as humans grow, learn, adapt, to

move forward. In simpler terms, you must suffer in your own space to have a clear mind and see

the reality to accept and achieve happiness.

“Less is More” (Browning) is a common phrase among those who own the world,

materialistically speaking. Regardless, these individuals do not feel “happiness” but just a mere

temporary satisfaction, and always feeling like not having enough. Having less “items” is what

Graham Hill argues in his article “Living with Less. A Lot Less”. Hill is widely known as the

founder of Treehugger, and is also a entrepreneur. Although he had many riches, fame, and

fortune, he felt empty inside. He mentions to us, “Soon I was numb to it all. The new Nokia

phone didn’t excite me or satisfy me” (Hill, 309). This shows us how he was falling deeper and

deeper into depression and losing himself, keeping in mind he a lot of luxury at hand. “But my

experiences show that after a certain point, material objects have a tendency to crowd out

emotional needs they are meant to support” (Hill, 311). Some may doubt Hill, but he is reliable

due to him having been in both positions of the role of rich and poor. All in all, simplicity plays a

major factor in finding true happiness as we saw Hill’s opinions on this factor. The space in

which Hill uses to captivate the readers persuasion is by relating to the reader and explaining his

behalf on this topic of happiness.

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony”

(Mahatma Gandhi). This quote is well known and speaks for itself on regards to happiness. Sonja

Lyubomirsky, a professor of psychology, goes in depth to what makes us truly happy. She has a
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Ph.D in social psychology, and has had many patients in which they speak out to us in her article

“How Happy Are You and Why?”. On top of that, she also provides the readers a quiz in which

they can fill out and see what their responses mean on regards to happiness. Many people in

todays society make many myths and generalize to have precautions and make themselves feel

better to avoid any negative vibes. An example of these myths in which she provides goes as, “I

thought you either have it or don’t!... I would be happy IF__ or I will be happy WHEN___...

Happiness is not out there for us to find…” (Lyubomirsky, 185-186). She also goes in depth

biologically on how a certain “gene” can determine the amount of depression one has. This

particular gene is called “5-HTTLPR”. We must not fear nor look for happiness without making

a change in our life and accepting certain things. She provides us a quote by John Mason Good,

“Happiness consists in activity. It is a running stream, not a stagnant pool”(Lyubomirsky, 195) .

To summarize, we must make a change, act upon ourselves in order to achieve true happiness.

In conclusion, happiness is a complex emotion many ponder upon to achieve. Many

through a process and in their own time and space. These 3 authors all revolve the same

question in which is the best way to achieve happiness. Perhaps it is biology, having more or

less, or suffering till we can see straight? We shall never understand such a complex emotion.
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Works Cited

“How Happy Are You and Why?” By Sonja Lyumbomirsky ,Pages (185, 186, 195)

“What Suffering Does” By David Brooks ,Pages (285, 286, 287)

“ Living With Less. A Lot Less.” By Graham Hill, Pages ( 309, 311)

(Mahatma Gandhi) https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/mahatma_gandhi_105593

(Robert Browning) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Less_is_more

(Jane Fonda) https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/headshrinkers-guide-the-

galaxy/201405/no-pain-no-gain