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MANANGAN, OPHELIA V.
HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE
SEPTEMBER 2016
anything other than a creation of our own mind? We may be able to point
out certain differences between waking and dream, but on analysis we will
discover that those differences are superficial, being concerned
with quality or quantity rather than with substance.
If we truly understand that we are not a body, nor the mind which
imagines itself to be a body, and that every form of unhappiness that we
experience is caused only by our mistaken identification with a body, we will
endeavour to destroy that false identification by undertaking practical
research to discover who or what we really are. To know what we really are,
we must cease attending to any other things, and must attend instead to
ourself, the consciousness that knows those other things.
All the unhappiness, discontent and misery that we experience in our
life is caused only by our ignorance or confused knowledge of who or what
we really are. So long as we limit ourself by identifying a body as I, we will
feel desire for whatever we think is necessary for our survival in that body,
and for whatever we think will make our life in that body more comfortable
and pleasant. Likewise we will feel fear and dislike of whatever we think
threatens our survival in that body, and of whatever we think will make our
life in it less comfortable or pleasant. When we do not get whatever we
desire or like, and when we cannot avoid whatever we fear or dislike, we feel
unhappy, discontented or miserable.
However, so long as the mind exists, it will inevitably have a will of its
own. Desire and attachment are inherent in the mind, the very fabric of
understanding the purpose of life. Only the creator of life can fill that need..
Thus, Jesus said: man mustlive, not on bread alone but on every utterance
coming forth through Jehovahs mouth. Those who are conscious of their
spiritual need are happy because they draw close to Jehovah, the happy
god, and he gives them something vital for happiness-hope.
What is the greatest source of happiness? Doing things for the people
can make you happy, but doing things for God can make you happier. Even
the happiness of proud parents who love their children cannot compare
with it. This is clear from what took place on one occasion while Jesus was
teaching publicly.
The Bible is a source of that needed direction. Consider just one of its
booksPsalms. This book is a collection of 150 sacred songs to Jehovah God,
about half being composed by King David of ancient Israel. But of greater
importance than knowing the identity of the writers is knowing that this book
was written under the inspiration of mankinds greatest Friend, Jehovah. We
can thus be sure that it contains divine guidance for our good and that it
points the way to happiness.
The writers of the Psalms were sure that happiness is a by-product of a
persons having a wholesome relationship with God. Happy is the man in
fear of Jehovah, wrote the psalmist. No human relationship, no material
possession, and no personal accomplishment can bring the happiness that
comes from belonging to the people whose Godis Jehovah. The lives of
numerous modern-day servants of God bear this out.
Susanne, in her early 40s, is one example. She said: Today, many join
certain groups to achieve common goals or to share common interests.
Seldom, however, do they view everyone in the group as a friend. With
Jehovahs people, it is different. Our love for Jehovah makes us have affection
for one another. Among Gods people, we are at home, regardless of where
we happen to be at the moment. This unity enriches our life enormously.
Who else can lay claim to having friends from totally different social groups
and backgrounds and of the widest variety of nationalities? With all my heart,
I can say that belonging to Jehovahs people is what results in happiness.
Maree, born in Scotland, also learned that a fine relationship with Jehovah is
vital if one is to find happiness. Before learning Bible truth, sherelated, I
enjoyed watching horror movies. But at night I couldnt get to sleep without
holding a cross in my hand to ward off ghosts and vampires, which many of
the films were about.
Once I learned the truth, however, and stopped watching such films,
my relationship with Jehovah made it possible for me to go to bed without
fear, happy to serve a God more powerful than demons or imagined
vampires.
Trusting in Jehovah Leads to Happiness. We have no reason to doubt
the Creatorsalmightiness and his limitless wisdom. Knowing that he could
have complete confidence inJehovah and that he could take refuge in Him,
David wrote: Happy is the able-bodied man thathas put Jehovah as his
trust.
Maria said: My experience in Spain and elsewhere has been that when
we do thingsJehovahs way, even though our feelings and emotions may
incline us to do otherwise, we getthe best possible results. This makes for
happiness because Jehovahs way is always thebest. Andreas, a Christian
elder who has served in several European lands, also knows frompersonal
experience that we can put our trust in Jehovah. He said: My older brother,
who doesnot share my faith, strongly influenced me during myyouth,
encouraging me to pursue a financially rewarding career. He was extremely
disappointed when I took up the ministry full-time and did not rely on the socalled security provided by secular pension plans. During my full-time
service, I have never been in need, and I have experienced blessings of
which others can only dream.
In 1993, Felix was invited to help enlarge the facilities of the branch
office of Jehovahs
Witnesses in Selters, Germany. Once the work was finished, he was invited to
become a
permanent part of the Bethel family there. His reaction? I accepted the
invitation with certainreservations. But now I have been here for almost ten
years, and I am convinced that Jehovah answered my prayers. He knows
what is best for me. By placing complete confidence in him and letting him
direct me, I give him an opportunity to show me what he wants me todo.
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include work, play, time with family and friends, and spiritual activities. But
there are also more subtle factors, such as attitudes, desires, and goals
in life.
Thankfully, we do not have to figure out the recipe for true happiness
by ourselves. Why not? Because our Creator has given us a wonderful book
of instruction, the Bible, which is now available in whole or in part in 2,377
languages and dialectsfar more than any other publication in the world!
This impressive circulation reflects Gods concern for the happiness
and spiritual welfareof all people. I . . . am . . . the One teaching you to
benefit yourself, God says. If we heed hiscommandments, then he promises
us tranquility and peace, just like a river.
That promise calls to mind the words of Jesus that were quoted in the
preceding article: Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need. The
spirituality mentioned here is not superficial piety. Rather, it influences our
life as a whole. It reflects our willingness to listen to and be taught by God
because we recognize that he knows us much better than we know
ourselves. What convinces me more than anything else that the Bible is
from God, says Errol,
a Bible student for over 50 years, is that when you apply its teachings, they
work! Consider, for example, the Bibles excellent counsel on matters such
as the pursuit of richesand pleasures. Wise Guidance Regarding Money Even
when a person has an abundance, Jesus said, his life does not result from
the things he possesses. Yes, your true value asa person, especially in Gods
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eyes, has nothing to do with the size of your bank account. In fact,the pursuit
of wealth often adds anxieties, which sap the joy out of life and steal time
from more important pursuits.
The Bible encourages us to work hard and to enjoy the fruits of our
labor. By doing so, we increase our self- respectanother vital ingredient in
happiness. We may also be able to enjoy some of lifes wholesome pleasures.
There is a difference, however, between enjoying some of the good things
money offers and making the pursuit of riches the focus of our life.
Pleasures Have Their Place. A spiritual outlook on life helps us to gain
the greatest benefit from recreation, entertainment, and other pleasures.
Jesus enjoyed pleasurable occasions that included food and drink. But these
things were by no means the prime source of his joy in life. Rather, he found
the greatest delight in spiritual pursuits, which included helping others to
learn about God and his purpose for humankind.
Empty and unfulfilledthat is how pleasure- seekers usually feel. In
fact, when
researchers compared the pursuit of pleasures with such things as
meaningful work, spiritual
activities, and involvement with family, they found that pleasure-seeking
rated as the least consequential factor in their subjects overall happiness.
Be Generous and Thankful. Instead of being self-centered, happy
people tend to be generous and interested in others. There is more
happiness in giving than there is in receiving, said Jesus. Besides giving in a
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material way, we can give of our time and energy, which may be even more
appreciated, especially in the family. Husbands and wives need to spend
time together to keep their marriage strong and happy, and parents need to
make ample time for their children, talking with them, showing them
affection, and teaching them. When family members give in such ways, they
thrive and their home becomes a haven of happiness.
It comes as no surprise that over a period of six weeks, the subjects
felt noticeably more satisfied with life. The lesson? No matter what your
situation, learn to count your blessings. In fact, the Bible urges you to do so,
saying: Always be rejoicing. . . . In connection with everything give thanks.
In order to do that, of course, we need to make a conscious effort to
recall the good things we experience. Why not make that a personal goal?
Love and HopeEssential for Happiness.
It has rightly been said that from the cradle to the grave, humans need
love. Without it, People pine away. But what exactly is love? Although the
word is used loosely nowadays, the Bible beautifully describes it: Love is
long-suffering and kind, it says. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, does
not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look for its own
interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury.
It does not rejoice
over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes
all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
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How unselfish true love is! Because it does not look for its own
interests, it places the happiness of others ahead of self. Sadly, such love is
becoming increasingly rare. In fact, in his great prophecy about the end of
the present system of things, Jesus said that the love ofthe greater number
[would] cool off.
This situation, however, will not go on forever, for it is an affront to the
Creatorthe very personification of love! Soon God will rid the earth of all
people who are filled with hatred or who are governed by greed. He will
preserve alive only those who strive to cultivate the love described above. As
a result, peace and happiness will reign earth wide. The Bible promise is sure
to be fulfilled: Just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more;
and you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be. But the
meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their
exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Happiness
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