Thousands of books have been written on the secret of happiness, but Alexander Chalmers has summed it up in a simple sentence:
The three grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for. — Alexander Chalmers
I would like to share the ways that these essentials have worked in my life to provide me with a constant feeling of happiness:
Something to Do
I am a health, safety, and environmental director for a large company. In my job, I must motivate people to work safely and to deal with the aftermath when they do not. Although my job is stressful at times, it is also fulfilling. I enjoy meeting new people and giving them words of encouragement. However, I do not allow people to define me by my profession. If I were to lose my job, I would still be happy because I realize that it is only means to an end. It is not who I am. If I never held another job in my life, I’d still have something to do: serve people at my church, volunteer, work on issues that are important to me such as homelessness, education, and HIV/AIDS, write, and create art. These are the things that make me happy and define me as a person.
Someone to Love
Love is risky and can tear your heart apart. But it can also fulfill the desires of your soul and allow you to experience unbridled joy.
My wife, K, has given me this joy. I never really knew what it meant to love someone until I met her. After nearly 12 years of marriage, she still makes me laugh, gives me strength, and rejuvenates my spirit. I can make it through each day because I know she is at home waiting for me to make everything okay.
She is my queen, my best friend, the one who fills my life with beauty. I thank God for sending her into my life and I plan to love her forever.
Something to Hope For
My children give me hope. Their eyes are my looking glass into the future. There is so much possibility and wonder in their faces; so many things to accomplish. I hope and pray that they will realize their full potential and make a difference in the world. It is my responsibility as their father to equip them and give them the tools for success. My legacy lives on through them.
Stay Strong,
Mocha Dad
Question: Do you have something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for?
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My children also give me hope. My wife and I thought we could not have children so we adopted and then were blessed by a couple of birth children. They have made our lives complete and bring us joy on a daily basis.
Mocha Dad,
Well said. I think there’s a lot of wisdom in those three essentials.
Do I have something to do?
Yes – I have a golden opportunity to make the most of my God given gifts, and to be of good use to my brothers and sisters.
Do I have someone to love?
Yes – I have my immediate family, and also my universal family.
Do I have something to hope for?
Yes – An age of love and forgiveness.
Thanks for the great questions.
Those are great words to meditate on. So simple and cuts right to the heart of the matter. Too many people put too much stock in way too many things to bring them happiness yet we know that Jesus said “there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving”. So if we all lived by that simple sentence wouldn’t we all be taken care of? So simple and also cuts right to the heart of the matter. Do, Love, Hope. Simple. Thanks for some perspective today.
My best, Lynn
(I have a giveaway this week. K might like it)
Wow, what a nice post! I too have the above mentioned three things in my life, thank God
I hope you & your family have a nice wekend. You stay strong too 
Absolutely, yes! I have PLENTY to do, a lot of people to love and love me, and a sunny disposition that always keeps me looking on the bright side. I’m happy you’re happy