Throughout our recorded human history great people such as Aristotle, Socrates, and Plato all suggest that we personally play a pivotal role in our own happiness.

Webster's defines the work "Happiness" in two ways. 1. Good fortune: PROSPERITY. 2. a: A state of well-being and contentment : JOY b: A pleasurable satisfaction.

Our right for the pursuit of happiness was also written by Thomas Jefferson in our Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies; but what we use as our guide to obtain happiness is essential to truly achieving happiness.

If one reads the beginning paragraph and the first sentence of the second paragraph of our Declaration of Independence, you will have, what I feel, is a realistic guide to how to achieve happiness. I have copied the beginning parts of our Declaration of Independence below for you to read for yourself, and I have underlined what I feel is our clue to what is our guide to this pursuit.

The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies
In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America.
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

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.

I also read and see these patriotic words and their meaning from a Christian viewpoint. How you interpret these words maybe different than my interpretation.

Our Father in Heaven's first commandment for us is that it is that we develop and have a deep, meaningful relationship with Him. His second commandment is regarding our treatment and actions towards our fellow man are the same as we would do for ourselves. These are the primary commandments of our Father, but because of Him also granting us (free will), He does not make us do them. It is up to each of us as God's children to decide to follow His wishes or not to follow them. Just as we are as parents, we can instruct and guide our children, but we cannot make them follow our wishes, we only hope that they will see their importance and meaning, and adopt them as part of their character in their own lives.

If we choose not respect and treat our fellow man with the respect and dignity as an equal, life can be hell on earth. And if each of us choose not have a continuing and growing relationship with our Father in Heaven, life can not only be hell on earth, but beyond into the afterlife.

People from different walks of life, stature, and income levels have made the statement that they feel something has always been missing in their lives, and not until they initiated an ongoing relationship with the Father in Heaven did this void seem filled. These constant reminders throughout history and in our daily lives themselves should be a neon sign for our guide as to what we need to do in the pursuit of happiness, but as the adage goes “History repeats itself.” Why is this statement true? Because many people seem to not learn from history and others mistakes, hence we repeat them!

I can only pray as a patriotic Christian that to those who read this article will wake up and smell the coffee, and indelibly take them to heart.

Family-eStore will try to provide you with articles of interest to a Christian and patriotic way of life. The articles are written by Steven Coffman (Owner) of Family-eStore.com (National Essay Contest) winner 1969. I am a person with strong Christian and patriotic beliefs. Tenacity, faith, and a belief in God, Country and Family are key components to success in life. The Christian articles are only intended to bring you closer in your relationship to our Father in heaven. The Patriotic articles are only intended to show pride and patriotism to our “Land of the free and home of the brave, (The United States of America). I hope that you enjoy and are enlightened by them.