Period F English 12
Essay #2 Is Happiness attainable for everybody?
Happiness may be every person’s dream, but is it possible for everybody to be happy. Although achieving happiness is different for each person depending on the individual’s perspective, making happiness is a choice and not an accident.
Throughout time happiness has been a state of mind, which every individual has tried to achieve. As the Declaration of Independence states all individuals are entitled to the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Furthermore, it shows how the pursuit of happiness can be seen as a choice, not an accident, as individuals consciously pursue or search for happiness.
Before examining the extent to which individuals pursue or search for happiness, one must first understand the definition of happiness. Happiness is defined as, “good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy.” It is important to recognize that one’s individual definition of happiness can vary greatly from one individual to another. Therefore, it can be seen that happiness is in itself subjective. Something that brings joy to someone could directly or even indirectly bring pain, sadness or suffering to another. For example, receiving a shirt as a Christmas present could bring happiness to some, even if only in a materialistic sense. While this same shirt, could very well have been made in a sweatshop in Asia causing great pain and injustice to the child who slaved over it.
The ultimate ability to achieve happiness lies within the individual. Happiness in the long run cannot be reached through tangible, material items. One can be the richest man in the world, yet also the loneliest and saddest man. Monetary wealth and material possessions is not the key to happiness. True happiness means being rich in values, love, family and friends. Everyday one makes many choices, and achieving happiness is one of them. In every situation there is a...