As long as human beings have had emotions, happiness has likely been the object of the most fascination, fixation, and pursuit. The pursuit of happiness has long been considered so important to human existence that it was made a right in the United States constitution. Yet at the same time, happiness is elusive for so many. It is not Schizophrenia, or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or Autism that predominates mental health treatment, but Major Depression and other depressive disorders.
Yet help does not arrive for many. Suicide is a leading cause of death in the world today. People report dissatisfaction in their lives, careers, homes to the media. Many turn to substances like alcohol and drugs to cope with the pain of living. Thousands of dollars poor into mental health treatment for those diagnosed with depression disorders.
It is clear that even though we may be pursuing it, happiness is eluding us. Why is this? When there is so much to enjoy in this world, when people are living longer at a higher standard of living, when technology makes living and working easier, why are so many people unhappy?
I don’t have all the answers. I wouldn’t even say that I have most of them. I’m certainly not an expert (though I am a licensed professional counselor in the state of Ohio), and there have been many times in my life where I, too, have been upset enough to consider quitting the game of life. But I think I have some of the answers, and I want to share them with you. Welcome to the Pursuit of Happiness, a blog containing the meager compilation of wisdom I have gathered from my friends, enemies, teachers, and my own life on happiness. May it enlighten you and bring you joy.
