Youth and old age enjoy a degree of happiness, both. But who between the two are the happiest?
The oldest people are the happiest, according to a researcher from the University of Chicago. Life gets better in one's perception as one ages, the study disclosed.
The research may not go unchallenged, however, as different people have different beliefs on what consist happiness.
I am inclined to go by the axiom of George William Curtis who said, "happiness lies first, of all in health."
Jefferson affirms this belief: "Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits."
Lest I antagonize the good men and women of success in Pampanga, let us admit that happiness largely results from good fortune and wealth.
Who can dispute the reality that the wealthy man is happier than the beggar? But the poor have their own aspect of happiness denied the rich. Like an undisturbed 8-hour sleep and good appetite.
The poor, however, cannot afford pleasure-enhancing procedures or fun activities, which the moneyed has. Like a Fil-American who was a victim of a bad penile enlargement job by celebrity doctors engaged in medical tourism.
Undeniably the complainant tried to seek his happiness with a bigger penis but the botched procedure, using toxic aqua-gel, disfigured and effectively disabled his pleasure rod.
In a related event, a La Union doctor made a local medical record by his circumcision of 66 patients in one hour. The fact that the doctor is a gay underscores the truth of having success if you enjoy your work.
The University research said, "a certain amount of distress in old age is normal, including aches, pains, and deaths of loved one and friends. But the older people have to be more content with what they have than younger adults."
Like my colleague, the unsinkable Rizal Policarpio, we have learned to seek our happiness in the concept of John Stuart Mill "by limiting our desires, rather in attempting to satisfy them."
With every newsman in dire financial straights nowadays, the only recourse to healthy living is to refrain from going after pleasures, which entail compensation. Like having a mistress or going for commercial sex.
Of course Mang Rizal is an old bachelor, but we, in the media who have executive privilege with our spouses, would understand his unforced deprivation.
For all we know this unmarried columnist is happier than most of us (some with multiple families) because he creates his own happiness in his happy hour. Speak of "sariling sikap" of which he is a suspect dean's lister.
I do not know what happiness truly is, but I would know when a person is happy.
Those who do not worry about anything, or afraid of the future are happy.
Those who are free to do their rightful pursuits; those who share; who are generous and help the less fortunate, they are happy.
Those who achieve their goals, those with a purpose in life.
Happiness comes in small dosage and in a generic form: it is bliss, cheerfulness, joy, merriment, and pleasure.
The dying man more than any person alive, knows what happiness is like. He wants the presence of his loved ones around him when he breathes his last. He desires peace. Reconciliation with his Creator.
The man who was about to die in the electric chair, then lethal injection, was allowed his last wish for appropriate pleasure.
He asks for fried chicken, lechon (Erap's favorite), seafood, rice, of course, in full serving, fruits and ice cream. Soon the death sentence is carried out.
Incidentally these are the same food served us during most dinner parties. Gustatory pleasure also creates some happiness.
But when you are served the regular convict's last meal, his last and final comfort food, you should be happy for a moment imagining you are more alive than dead.
At my age I always remember an Arabian proverb: He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything.
Like the big lotto dreamer, who is hopeful of a windfall; a terminal patient hopeful of a miracle cure; a businessman expecting a fortune; the broken hearted waiting for a new love; the jobless for an employment.
A bad state of health causes half the unhappiness among people.
Realizing that, the wise has stopped chasing for the big deal, the big money, and the big orgasm. All these often lead to wickedness, which does not bring happiness.
Summertime brings certain madness. And simple wisdom too: if it is not right, don't do it. If it is not true, don't say it. If it is not yours, don't take it especially another man's wife. This is one key to happy living.
My condolences to the family and kin of Sun.Star reporter Dante Fabian who suffered a fatal stroke early Saturday morning. The dead knows what peace and happiness that the living don't.
