In Pursuit of Happiness

Wealth and Happiness Graph

The desire for happiness is widespread amongst humans. A misunderstanding about how that happiness is to be achieved is equally widespread. It appears that humans do not fully understand the mechanism for the production of happiness.

Humans do know that a sensuous spicy meal, a breathtaking sexual experience, a binge drink of good champagne, a sudden appreciation of the look of awe on the faces of friends and acquaintances by a flashy car or a swanky apartment produces a sudden surge of Joy. But they are also aware (or become aware of it sooner rather than later) that this sort of joy does not last very long. It is followed by depression in the very least or pain in severer cases. Therefore some possibly wiser humans seek and cultivate other more durable avenues for happiness such as philanthropic pursuits to add happiness in the life of others that just reflects back on them, learning to commune with nature or finding and spending life in the companionship of a lover. The former are probably more faithful pursuits and longer lasting.

Most humans know that a shortage of essentials such as food or shelter produces unhappiness and these things are procured by money. Therefore, the pursuit of money is as widespread as the pursuit of sex because it is something one might catch whereas happiness is too abstract a thing to catch directly. However, what humans do not realize is that it is only up to a point that money increases happiness. Beyond that the graph takes a dip, and one begins to lose happiness as money increases. The dip point is different for different individuals and primarily depends on how a person views and treats the acquired wealth. In case a human is wise enough to realize that such a dip point exists, human ego makes those in pursuit of wealth believe that they can keep the dip point at bay or shift it at will. The following short story tells more

A Cottage for Linda

Linda's Cottage

Once lived a handsome lad - Harry - in rural Kansas who loved a beautiful rural lass – Linda - in the neighborhood. They had known each other ever since they were old enough to know the difference between boys and girls . After school the lad realized that a rural life is hard and decided to better his prospects by going in for higher education to New York. He had the best grades in high school and therefore he was sure of not just admission but even a scholarship in the best universities. Subsequent to university he became a marketing executive for a Shoe Company,  eventually acquiring ownership of the business. Thus in a period of about ten years Harry became very rich, a bit bald from the stress of business and a bit rotund from slouching in front of the TV every evening with a beer. This last was necessary to get over the stress of the day and get sound sleep in order to be ready for another day to conquer the business world. He had enough money to call up escort services on weekends and was able to have occasional flings with secretaries and other city girls who were impressed with his wealth and his beautiful apartment.

Harry however was a wise man now and realized soon enough that his life in rural Kansas was far happier and that the time he had spent with Linda in the countryside real quality time. Realising that he now had enough money to quit city life and return to his roots, he sold off his assets in the city and called up folks back home to announce that he was returning. He could not get in touch with Linda because he had not called her for the last few years and did not have her most recent number. Apparently, her only relation, her dad, had moved on to the other world and the earlier number belonged to the dad. This story predates the email era otherwise Harry would have darted off an email too.

To be frank, Harry did not try hard enough to contact Linda before returning. First was the guilt of not having done that for years now and he felt that it would be best to surprise her with pretty gifts and make up to her for the lost years. He never doubted the fact that she would be there in the village as always and love him as she had always done, such a consistent and faithful sort of lass she was. An old school mate from the village had confirmed over a hurried phone conversation that she still lived in the same village cottage because her dad had left it to her.

Soon after returning to his home in the village, the first thing Harry did was to check up on Linda. He wanted to tell her that he still loved her. He walked up to her two room cottage. It had been expanded towards the back now and there were many flowers growing in the yard, a few almond trees in blossom and a large chestnut tree that shaded the area behind the cottage. A broad unpaved but pebbled path led up to the front door. He had brought with him a large bunch of the finest silk flowers from Macey’s along with a huge box of the most sensuous and heavenly chocolates available in Manhattan from a well known Swiss Chocolate Shop on fifth avenue. Linda spotted Harry at the gate and ran out to receive him. Harry hugged her and proceeded to kiss her as he used to always but she freed herself from his grasp and backed away,

“ Harry, I am married now,” said Linda showing him the cheap yet pretty paste ring on her finger

“ How come!? ” Harry was taken aback.

“ After dad left I was lonely and John next door proposed. I know he is a bit bow legged but he is such a gentle fellow and so handsome in a rough country sort of way! and we have been so happy together. Our farms have been merged now so we are better of and happier. We moved into my cottage because it was better than his shack. We have converted it into a barn for the cows now. His mother came in with him too but she left this world last year. I miss her. She was a sweet lady, although mind you she talked too much, too often, even to herself."

Linda continued as Harry stood in silence,

"You know money is so important to be happy. I have heard that you have piles and piles of it. Good for you. Perhaps I should have married you instead but you never proposed, it is too late now and John is really a wonderful and loving husband. We even have two little kids. They are getting to be a bit too cheerful and boisterous now for visitors. Presently they are off to playschool. They should be here anytime now, in the meantime I shall brew a nice cup of coffee for you, just the way you used to like it”

“No thanks, not in the mood for coffee today,” said Harry as he left the flowers and chocolates on the front porch and turned to leave.

As harry walked with heavy steps towards the rickety wooden gate he was left wondering, "why is that Linda had all the happiness when he had all the money?"

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I chose America as the background to the story because although there are readers to this blog from all parts of the world most are from America. This story is fiction. Real life may be different. I was wondering if Harry did anything wrong to deserve his fate. However, the pursuit of things that matter for human success does often leads humans to do things that compromise peace and happiness. It has been so since the beginning.