To find happiness, try keeping in touch through prayer

Are you happy?
Often people respond, "If only [fill in the blank] then I would be happy." Webster defines happiness as "a state of well-being or contentment," but faced with the ups and downs of life, we can wonder if constancy is possible. There seems to be a certain elusive quality to happiness.
Our country's forefathers granted us "the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" -- designating happiness as an individual goal rather than something that can be attained. It was interesting to read an account of an interview with Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the 32-year-old monarch of the tiny Himalayan country of Bhutan. He said that Gross National Happiness was more important than Gross National Product. Kinley Dorji, editor in chief of Bhutan's national newspaper, Kuensel, added, "I think that, in the quest for economic development, many countries have lost their souls."
In a recent report, the Los Angeles Times stated that half of the 800 families surveyed felt wealth didn't bring more happiness, and one-third said money caused more problems than it solved.
So how does one find happiness?
There is a commercial poster that reads, "Happiness is like a butterfly. The more you pursue it, the more it will elude you. But, if you turn your mind to other things, it will come and softly sit on your shoulder." For people of faith, these "other things" would be to follow religious guidelines in making our contribution in this world so that we could be happy in the eternal world. Christ's message was not about finding contentment in this life but to, "Take up your cross and follow me."
Psychologist's theory
The psychologist Abraham Maslow developed a theory of maturation called "self-actualization" whereby certain needs must be met in order for an individual to find a sense of fulfillment. A person must have basic physiological and safety needs met such as food, water and shelter. In addition: Love, self-esteem and a sense of belonging must be present to have a healthy mental and emotional outlook toward life.
The philosophical questions: What is the source of my being? What is the purpose of my life? What happens when I die? must be answered through family, culture and religion in order to give direction and stability to a person's life.
With a strong foundation, a person can carry the difficulties encountered along the way and still maintain a measure of contentment and happiness.
In the popular film, "E.T.," the extraterrestrial is overjoyed with his newfound friends on Earth and the discoveries he has made. But, as time goes by, he begins to grow weak and longs to be reunited with his home planet. Hope is restored and his energy rises when he learns how to use the telephone to "phone home." There is great joy when loved ones arrive to take him back home.
If we are discontent with our lives, perhaps we need to "phone home" more often through prayerful contact with the source of our being. A feeling of happiness may be designed intentionally to come up a bit short. St. Agustine has shared his feelings on the subject when he prayed, "Our hearts are restless until they rest in thee, O Lord."
XDr. Agnes Martinko is a member of St. Edward Church, Youngstown.