The Virtue of Happiness

"A happy moment can be a matter of luck; a happy life requires virtue." A human life that's happy is not a trivial matter of being lucky, of getting what we want; pleasant pastimes or the absence of responsibilities or pain. A human life that's happy is an accomplishment -- a triumphant, sometimes even heroic creation. Sometimes we have to overcome tremendous physical or psychological hardships. Sometimes we have to resist strong short term temptations or struggle to make sense of our path. As with any big, long-term project, a happy life takes work; it's complicated and time consuming -- more like a great symphony of harmony and counterpoint than a simple, catchy jingle. To create a life that's truly happy over time takes discipline, passion, and courage.