Reposted in its entirety from the New York Times



All They Are Saying Is Give Happiness a Chance,” by Eduardo Porter (Editorial Observer, Nov. 12), made me smile. Despite the fact that I have few of the trappings of success, I am happy.

While I have a human desire for financial gain, fulfilling romantic relationships and international accolades for my brilliance, I do not have (or reasonably expect) any of those things. And yet, I am happy. I struggle to pay my bills, wonder if those are old-lady wrinkles sneaking onto my face and gesture obscenely at other drivers when they cut me off. Still, I am happy.

What I can offer to Mr. Porter is support for his theory that time is worth more than money. I have a job and a life that gives me the time and space to read, play with my dog, dine with my friends, stare into space and generally get plenty of happiness-sustaining mental candy.

I’m glad that the world is full of people who need to do and to be and to know — relentlessly and aggressively. They create the noise and pressure that typify modern life, and they give me something to look at when the leaves stop spinning in the wind.

Maureen Devlin
Cambridge, Mass., Nov. 13, 2007

Posted: Mon - November 19, 2007 at 09:31 PM      

©