as i watch Kamala Harris's campaign, i am impressed with the sense of joy she brings to her run for the presidency. i see that same joy in the vice-presidential nominee, Tim Walz. this joy is in sharp contrast to the candidacy of donald trump and j. d. vance, both of whom seem to be filled with negativity and anger. at their respective rallies, i see the candidates' attitudes reflected in the faces of their supporters: those who listen to harris and walz appear happy, while trump's and vance's followers seem to be filled with rage.
an attitude of happiness is important if our lives are to be fulfilling and positive. anger is harmful to those who fill their lives with it and to those around them. happiness begets happiness, just as anger infects those who spend their time with others who are angry. happiness is our natural state, and when we allow bitterness and a sense of victimhood to creep into our lives, we become less human. we suffer mentally and physically and inflict our pain on others.
i did not always believe that happiness was a worthy goal. i thought that our chief aim ought to be to fulfill a sense of duty and obligation, even when doing so made us unhappy. i now realize that one can be happy while still shouldering our responsibilities. when we feel duty-bound to do something that makes us unhappy, that task is not something we ought to undertake. it is good to say no at times. we must live the sort of happiness that brings us joy and spreads joy to those around us, not a selfish pleasure-seeking life that flits from one temporary moment of elation to another.
may we make happiness our intention. may we let go of anger and recrimination. may we not seek out temporary pleasures and instead discover what makes us happy for the whole of our lives. may we share our happiness with others. shalom.
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