Pursuit of Happiness

In connection with my previous post, I have found a little solace. I spent the other night watching the first two episodes of the John Adams miniseries. I was reminded of a few things and began to analyze how American government impacts my life.

My favorite politician, or the one that I find I am in most agreement with, is Thomas Jefferson. He has many admirable qualities but those are not the purpose of this discussion. I wish to address the Declaration of Independence—American independence that is. He was the author of the infamous document and used theory of John Locke to provide its foundation. John Locke claimed that innate rights of man included life, liberty, and property. Thomas Jefferson however did not fully agree as he claimed that man is entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This last point is the one that I want to further discuss.

I, for one, might be unhappy with my unemployment or my personal situation but I am granted the right to pursue happiness. At first I found it quizzical that Jefferson just didn’t say that man should have life, liberty, and happiness. Why did he include the pursuit? In thinking further about it, I determined that Jefferson realized that happiness doesn’t come easily. There is struggle associated with pursuit. I think this struggle is the essence of even achieving happiness. In such an instance it is understandable why he included the phrase over ‘property’. The pursuit of happiness is not only my American right but my human right. Why then, would I not utilize my right and pursue happiness? Regardless of the economy, I can and should pursue the happiness that is granted to me. However in this, I acknowledge that it may not come cheap or easily—I must pursue it. Happiness does not fall into one’s lap (as far as I know) so I must endeavor to seize it. Thomas Jefferson must have also believed that this pursuit was highly important to level it with life and liberty. Whew, he valued this struggle as much as liberty or life itself. That makes me reevaluate what is really important in life.
~PB