The whisperer wishes everyone a Happy Fourth of July. But in so doing, he reflects on the state of affairs on our country's 232nd birthday. A recent poll carried out by Leicester University in Great Britain found that people who live in Denmark are the happiest people in the world. The U.S. ranked 23rd in happiness. How can this be? Could it be that Danes do not think as critically about things as we do?
Was Shakespeare all wet when he characterized Hamlet the melancholy Dane?
Or could it have something to do with the fact that Denmark is not at war, the euro is stronger than its ever been, and Danes as a society are not as uptight about sex and marijuana?
The problem is: Denmark has rated number one in national happiness for over 30 years. So this is not some fluky finding by a research company looking to get a quirky story on the evening news.
Most psychologists would agree that having a lot of money does not necessarily make one happy. A friend of mine told me recently about someone she knows who barely makes enough money to feed herself, yet whatever little amount she makes she contributes to help the homeless because they need help. And this makes her happy.
Whatever the reasons are for our national discontent, it seems that we are not achieving Jefferson's vision of happiness, or that perhaps his vision was a lot less demanding than ours is. As for me, I'm happy to have the ability to write this blog without worrying about being thrown in jail, or fearing I'll be incarcerated without explanation for questioning the way public officials spend our tax dollars. At least that's what I want to believe will always be the case.
So, my fellow melancholians, let's try to be happier on this commemoration of our nation's birth about the things that truly matter in life. And maybe, just maybe someday we'll beat Denmark in futbol. Although I doubt that will make us any happier.
--Be safe. TMW
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