On Achieving Happiness

On Achieving Happiness:
The founding fathers wrote in the Declaration of Independence: “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.”
Dr. Abraham J. Twersky points out that many people today have exchanged “the pursuit of happiness” with “the pursuit of pleasure.” Happiness can be defined as an inner satisfaction and sense of fulfillment, whereas pleasure is a feeling that comes and goes. Often we seek immediate gratification in order to drown out an inner feeling of personal discontentment. This can be in the form of drugs or alcohol, material pleasures or hobbies. But when the pleasure is over, the discontentment remains – if we are honest with ourselves. The pursuit of external pleasures that make us “feel good for the now,” or the “I will be happy when I get...or become...or do such and such...” will not result in real happiness.
Human beings are unique creatures on earth. We are set apart from the animal kingdom in many ways beyond just our intelligence. Animals act out of instinct or conditioned behavior. Humans, although having instincts and are able to be conditioned, have the ability to make moral choices. Humans have the ability to learn from history or plan for their future - beyond the next winter season. Humans can think about philosophical and meaningful ideas. They have the ability to exercise self-control or denial. These unique human abilities are what Dr. Twersky calls “the Human Spirit”. Therefore, spirituality is essentially making use of our unique human qualities.
When a person has an iron deficiency, for example, supplementing other vitamins and minerals will not be of benefit to cure his/her anemia. Likewise, if a person is feeling inner discontent because they are experiencing a spiritual deficiency, supplementing themselves with non-spiritual pleasures will not cure their unhappiness or discontent.
One should not error to think that to be spiritual, one must completely deny the physical. In Judaism, it is critical to understand that we are given our bodies and the physical world as a means to grow spiritually, as well as to elevate ourselves and the world around us. Finding the synthesis and harmony between body and soul, and utilizing the negative body traits toward spiritual accomplishment will result in greater happiness and fulfillment.
Finally, contrary to popular notion, one can be exceedingly happy despite feeling pain or discomfort. The opposite of pain is not pleasure, but merely the lack of pain -what we might call comfort. Although comfort is pleasant, even pleasurable, the lack of comfort is necessary to accomplish or succeed. The person who is striving for greatness and accomplishment tends to be a happy individual, even if they don't attain it. No one ever attained true greatness without much sweat, hard work and sacrifice, - all of which lead to real satisfaction and happiness.
The Hebrew word for happiness is simcha, or somei'ach, related to the Hebrew word for growth - tzomei'ach. No pain, no gain. Or, as the rabbis say, “according to the effort goes the achievement.” This, we are taught, is one primary reason why G-d created man with the need to work and struggle. Everything in the physical world is mirrored in the spiritual reality, as well. G-d could have created us all like angels, enabling us to serve Him without pain or struggle. But in His loving kindness, in order that we should achieve true greatness and fulfillment, G-d gave us free-will. He created the struggle in order that we should choose life, choose good and choose greatness. This is something that stagnant angels can never achieve.