The pursuit of happiness is not a modern phenomenon. But its present-day iteration has become almost pathological, with any number of attractions, distractions and lifestyles promoted as happiness-inducing. Alas, such happiness that is derived is often fleeting, followed, often as not, by boredom, dissatisfaction and a search for the next hit.

This comes about in part from a misunderstanding of how happiness arises or even what it is. A modern motion is that happiness is a goal in itself, to be sought after as often as possible. This is a fundamentally flawed view, for it is rare that such a goal can be achieved (happiness being an abstraction) and it sets folks up for one failure after another.

Simply put, happiness for the most part is a bi-product of pursuing meaningful goals in life. It arises as we engage with pursuits that give us purpose and a worthwhile sense of self. Sometimes it almost creeps up on us, slipping ghost-like into our bodies as we go about our day.

The current Dalai Lama noted, “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” That is wise advice. I would add that those "actions" are considered actions, ones that engage an individual intentionally with the world.

I have said before that consumer capitalism is a poison and a significant part of the problem. Any system that tells you that happiness is derived from spending, then more spending, in order to acquire more and more stuff, is morally corrupt, because it is consciously propagating a lie.

In his letter to Timothy, Paul famously said that "the love of money is the root of all evil" It is a problem for all ages but especially the present, where money and its allies are very nearly an obsession. The deeper the obsession, the greater the dissatisfaction.

I cannot fathom the paradox.