The Pursuit of Happiness

Day 2:

The Declaration of Independence states: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

We often think of happiness as something we are pursuing, and never quite able to catch up with:
"Once we can afford a bigger house, then we'll be happy."
"Once I find my soulmate, then I'll be happy."
"When I finally lose all this weight, then I'll be happy."

What did the pursuit of Happiness mean to the founding fathers? Jefferson said happiness meant tranquility and occupation. For Jefferson, occupation meant mainly his intellectual pursuits. What if we started defining the pursuit of happiness as the love of learning; the freedom to think for yourself? Or as the ability and privilege of loving another human being?

Take a few minutes to "employ your mind" in learning something new or reflecting on the freedoms we take for granted every day...