"I begin to suspect that the world is divided not only into the happy and the unhappy, but into those who like happiness and those who, odd as it seems, really don't."
- C.S. Lewis
Lewis was onto something, but I'm not sure he was exactly correct. First, there are levels of happiness, not just happy and unhappy. We all have good days and bad days, joyful events and tragedies, and even experiences that are filled with mixed emotional experiences. Even more importantly, I believe there are different ways of finding happiness...ways that have to be learned, followed with discipline, and engaged over time.
So often we finding ourselves deferring to easier ways of being or default patterns that are compulsory rather than intentional. For instance, Sarah and I noticed that we had become somewhat passive many weeknight evenings in front of the television, so we gave up tv for Lent and it has made a huge difference in our lives and our happiness. That first step was not the end of the quest though, we then found we needed to be intentional in how we spent the now free evening time. The quest goes on even now months after Easter.
One thing that has been shown to improve happiness in study after study is the connection we have to other people. The better social support system a person has, the more likely that person is to be happy. Some studies have shown that this factor alone is significant in determining happiness (with a notable de-emphasis on possessions). I have to say that the more quality time I get to spend with my family the happier I feel. I also must say that the more time I get to spend with all of you at St. Stephen's the happier I feel as well. That is one reason I so look forward to summer receptions on the lawn after Saturday and Sunday services. It is the primary reason that I look forward to Friendship Suppers (with the awesome food a close second!). Even more foundational to our relationship, though, is that we gather to worship together. There are few ways in this world to enter into such a deep experience with others as worship. The more we worship together, the more we share in common experience and connect in heart. Week after week we really do become family...but more than family...we become community...community in which anyone can join us...in fact community in which the more the merrier...truly merrier, truly happier. So come and enjoy the process of growing in joy together, invite your friends, and bring some food (sign-up sheets are available).
See you in Church!
Fr. Josh
