Happiness is a skill. It requires effort and time. Since knowledge involves reference, it is always hypothetical and tentative. Probably one of the hardest steps of faith is believing that God hears and will help us when we call on him in prayer. We are still living in a World that has dimensions and boundaries and our finite minds have limits to our understanding in difficult matters. We, therefore, need a measure of faith to see past that which is seen and go deeper into that which is of the divine. Despite the turbulence in life, we please God by trusting him. “Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard,” reports Daniel 10.12. Reality is a society of persons: the ultimate (uncreated) Person and finite (created) persons. Reality is thus not nature, but history. The natural order does not have ontological identity outside the ultimate Person; rather, this order is God’s behavior. The laws of logic do not have privileged priority; they are constitutive of the supreme mind. In philosophy of religion, this position is idealistic theism (not theological dualism). God is a conscious Person who creates finite persons and cooperates with them in the cosmic endeavor. A human persons is a context of experience capable of self-consciousness, reason, and ideal values. Biblical faith has as a bridge between humans and God, in other words freedom as love. #RandolphHarris 1 of 13

God has basically created us with a desire to come to perfect knowledge of hum, but this full knowledge and relationship with God is hidden from us while in our mortal bodies. True knowledge of God will require being able to see him directly, but this is only possible by a completely purified soul. When this occurs, we will experience the ultimate pleasure—a pure and everlasting bliss that will be the satisfaction of every human desire and the obliteration of every sadness and worry. However, we can achieve a kind of imperfect happiness here on Earth. Happiness depends on the actualization of one’s natural faculties. The highest faculty the human being possess is reason, from which it follows that we can achieve happiness in this life in proportion to the level of truth accessible to reason. Our ultimate happiness consists in the contemplation of truth, for this operation is specific to humans. It is not directed to any other end sine the contemplation of truth is sought for its own sake. This is the only human operation that is carried out both by God and by the separate substances (Angels). Human nature is not so completely corrupted by sin as to be totally lacking in natural goodness. We have an impulse in us that seeks God and other impulses that pull us down to Worldly pleasures. However, it is possible to begin the process of healing in this lifetime by exercising natural virtues. Virtues of wisdom, courage, moderation, justice, and friendship. #RandolphHarris 2 of 13

God, in his grace, has revealed to us additional virtues: those of faith, love, and hope. These will pull us through to the final end so long as we begin the effort. It is impossible for any created good to constitute human’s happiness. For happiness is that perfect good which entirely satisfies one’s desire; otherwise it would not be the ultimate end, if something yet remained undesired. Now the object of the will of human’s desire, is what is universally good; just as the object of the intellect is what is universally true. Hence, it is evident that nothing can satisfy the human’s will, expect what is universally good. This is to be found, not in any creature, but in God alone, because every creature has only participated goodness. Therefore, God alone can satisfy the will of human beings. “For he (God) satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things,” reports Psalm 107.9. Life today may not be totally satisfying, however, we know that God will please the soul which is longing for an integral center of free action, wanting to be absorbed into the deity, and seeks unification with the highest perfection. Also, as we accept ourselves as emotional beings, we can find more beneficial outlets and feel good about the expression of our emotions. If it is accepted and acknowledged the we have a delicate nature, the strain of strong emotions can be reduced by channeling of expressions that do not harm oneself or another, or do not make the individual feel guilt or shame afterwards. #RandolphHarris 3 of 13

In the World at large, people are rewarded or punished in ways that are often utterly random. Increasing numbers of people use some sort of chemical either to produce emotion or eliminate it. Sometimes the same person will take a drink when happy and when sad. There are a hundred pills that will give one whatever effect one is after. We are surrounded by chemical helpers, many of which have come to be seriously misused. The use of chemicals and other artificial means of dealing with emotions and consciousness is not a new phenomenon. Such experiences have been around as long as humankind has. However, today, huge numbers of people are involved, for reasons that most of us cannot understand. Consciousness is a state of awareness, ow aware we are of what is going on, who we are, and what the reality around us is like. Human beings have always been interested in change and variety in their states of consciousness. Even little children enjoy alterations of consciousness. That explains why they will deliberately get blind dizzy on a playground merry-go-round or want to whirl around until their heads spin. This desire is a natural part of human experience, but much like children, we can find natural ways to deal with stress and avoid the unwinder martini. In the garden, cause and effect, labor and reward are re-coupled. Gardening makes sense in a senseless World. It gives a feeling of well-being, euphoria, relaxation and in some cases permits pleasant variations of perceptual experiences. #RandolphHarris 4 of 13

By extension, the more gardens in the World, the more justice, the more sense is created because the garden enables people to relax, have something to focus on in social gatherings and to become more talkative about nature, which is a neutral subject. Therefore, a garden can also be a consciousness-alteration experienced by people where they can listen to music, in communion wit nature, say prayers and experience religious ecstasy and beautiful visions. We still have a long way to go in understanding, appreciating, handling, and experiencing the full range of our emotional lives, but we know God wants us to be happy and the best way to do that is by focusing on things that bring us joy and are not harmful to others. Most of us have experienced the strong and dramatic feelings like anger, hate, joy, depression, passion and ecstasy, and fear. However, the findings of psychologist remind us that most people go to their graves still infants when it comes to living their fullest and most interesting emotional experiencing. One of the most baffling aspects of the behavior of men and women in highly-responsible positions in some segments of our society, is their comparative lack of concern for—perhaps it is lack of awareness of—the factor of communication, as such, in the problems and situations in which they have to deal. It is communication that makes human society possible. #RandolphHarris 5 of 13

The World is beset by many problems, but this hijacking of our brain’s reward centers by electronic media is potentially one of the most destructive. Sometimes we must empty ourselves of everything in order to make room for something good and full to come in. The goal is to get rid of all extraneous thoughts and feelings, to make room for something new and rich. A beautiful bouquet or a long lasting flowering plant is a traditional gift for women, but doctor Dr. Andrew Weil recommends that both men and women keep fresh flowers in the house for their beauty, fragrance, and the lift they give our spirits. Also, God created the World is six days, and rested on the seventh—now called the sabbath. Our English word sabbatical comes from that same root; it is used to refer to educational institutions’ practice of providing for teachers’ well-being and development by giving them a sabbatical, a year-long leave, once every seven years. A few businesses are beginning to give their employees similar extended periods of time off every few years, with partial or full pay, to provide times of full rest, recuperation, and recharging. We think these companies are wise. Even if their employees do nothing directly related to their work during this time, they will grow. They will come back to work refreshed and renewed, and they will probably do better, more productive work, plus having a better feeling about working for a company tat is concerned with its employees’ mental health. #RandolphHarris 6 of 13

We have found that packing our religion and living it while on a vacation is as vital as living it at home. Once love has been acknowledged as our Source of all supply—our being in other words—it must be extended to be able to flow. This is the real secret of prosperity. One who sincerely desires to find the secret of prosperity (not only money, remember?), to learn about the law of supply, cannot and will not do so, unless one comprehends the fundamental truth of love’s increase though extension. If love is not extended it cannot fulfill its own nature. It is about making us holy. It is our opportunity each day, especially on the sabbath, to connect with God and become more like him. Sometimes this means finding a new church to a attend, while on vacation, but it is nice to meet new people and see how other cultures preach about and praise the Lord. We sacrifice so little, but the Lord blesses us with so much. Love now extends itself, and always returns in the form we can use best—its value always being greater than the value we ascribed to the gift (time) we gave. God is the giver of all gifts, and each human being is an individual expression of God, his Being is therefore love’s source. God’s love has a special meaning and the truths expressed are beautiful and touches us on many levels. We are draw to the word of God because it is associated with important spiritual events in our lives. #RandolphHarris 7 of 13

The Lord has provided all of us with what we really need; and undeniable personal witness of his love. The blessings from God’s specific awareness of our lives and problems are examples of his constant influence called to our spiritual mind, the Spirit confirms the truthfulness of each. When we acknowledge God, our hearts overflow with love and gratitude, springing from some untouched place deep within us. When we feel God’s love, we can respond to it not only with our loyalty, but with our own love in return. God is so near that he is completely aware of our most secret sorrows and fears—even our troubled midnight thoughts. We are not alone. God’s love is what enables us to let go, and to realize that even though our goals have not been achieved exactly as we think they should be, God’s plan, whatever it is, will be better than our own. There is a great deal of scientific evidence that social connectedness is a very strong protector of emotional well-being, and there is no question that social isolation has greatly increased in our culture over the past 100 years. “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and you shall find me; ask, and you shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you,” reports Doctrines and Covenants 88.63. #RandolphHarris 8 of 13

Over the years many of us have learned that love is abundant and never in short supply. Without hungering for that love and seeking it, we may never know it. Human beings have survived for millennia because most of us make good decisions about our health most of the time. Many people move to suburban areas for a better life. To appreciate the classic American town, go to the suburbs. The streets meander past a parade of beautiful houses, cafes, shops, markets, and parks, all teeming with people on foot and in cars. We think of this buzzing pedestrian existence as a kind of vacation to experience. People walk because it is an easy, fast way to get where thy are going, whether it is work, a store or café; and others walk because they are interested in the natural scenery along their paths, such as parks, rivers and woods. In other words, walkers tend to be in it either for the journey or for the destination. Human beings have an innate need to socialize with one another. A neighbor may bake a pie to welcome you to the neighborhood, and he or she may be catering to a more primal desire for connection and support. In general, suburban communities tend to be the most affluent, enjoying the highest socioeconomic status when ranked with urban populations. Suburban residents seem to also have better health than inner city residents. #RandolphHarris 9 of 13

People living in suburban communities tend to be more educated and are most likely to have adequate health insurance and benefit from longer life expectancy, more access to health care and higher quality of care. They also seem to be happier and often benefit from access to and choices from nutritious foods, spaces for physical activity and recreation, utilities such as water and sewer, dental care and health care, transportation and even digital telecommunications. The schools in the suburbs are also better and there is more space for children to play. More space means children have more room to lay out their electric trains sets. You wake up in the morning, you know, and the Sun is shining. And it is nice, and all that type of stuff, and it just makes a person feel like it is going to be one terrific day. The houses are perfect for families—they have family rooms, open floor plans and backyards—and not so suburban names like “Rocklin Trails” and “Cresleigh Domain.” And for so many, the American Dream becomes a reality in the suburbs. Within a person’s reach is the chance to have a hose on their own land a car or two, a dog and a couple of kids. Each house has three to five bedrooms or more, two or three bathrooms. And the communities look uniform. Residents, in many cases, pledge to mow their lawns on the weekly basis. And many love the chance to leave the dirtiness of the city to live in the own home on their own land. There are shopping centers and restaurants, which add to the convenience of suburban life. #RandolphHarris 10 of 13

Every magnificent house also has a refrigerator, stove, comes with a laundry room, and space for the TV set. There are picture windows and natural light. In addition to this sense of feeling like everyone belongs, there is also a sense of conformity. The suburbs also bring families together. Thousands and thousands of people migrate to suburbia because residents of suburban communities often enjoy greater access to opportunities for healthy food stores and active lifestyles such as fitness centers. There are playgrounds, sports fields, sidewalks and bikeways, greenways and trails, public swimming pools and lakes. Other amenities in suburban communities are nature parks, pet parks, plus walking, biking, and bus riding to school. People in suburban communities also practice controlled-growth land use that protects the area’s natural environment in perpetuity by preserving landscapes, sustaining farmland, protecting natural habitats for wildlife and maintaining the character of the rural communities. Land trusts are voluntary conservation easements to safeguard the land from development and sprawl. Families who have passed down the same property from generation to generation often like entering into a land trust to know their family home will remain similar to how they remember it. In addition to improved property values, many people feel their quality of life is improved when there is a protected greenspace nearby. #RandolphHarris 11 of 13

People who have achieved enlightened awareness have found a way to retain the simple joys of life, while acknowledging the challenges inherent in living. They have learned how to own and cope with their emotions, from the most pleasurable to the most painful, and have the perspective to realize that life goes on no matter what feelings slow in the moment. They come home from a tough day at work and wonder what to eat for dinner. Emotions are self-regulated. The development of a more highly evolved language for emotions I which feelings are represented as dynamic, vivid, and uniquely personal experiences (rather than the more conventional approach in which feelings—like idea or thoughts—are believed to be uniformly experiences. People fully become themselves. As we enrich our emotional responsiveness, we add immeasurably to our sense of being in harmony with life, our ability to stay productive despite disturbing upheavals, and our willingness to our own feelings and express them freely. We also put ourselves on firm footing for gain in interpersonal effectiveness, spiritual serenity, and personal integrity. #RandolphHarris 12 of 13

People are attracted to others because of their rewarding qualities. People are so motivated that they tend to adopt a number of self-presentation strategies or tactics of ingratiation that include, in addition to flatter, conformity in opinion, judgment, and behavior to that of the other and attributing attractive characteristics to themselves directly or indirectly. “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in the Savior. You love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you have refreshed the hearts of the saints,” reports Philemon 1.4-7. The World’s greatest need is mutual confidence. No human being ever knows all the secrets of another’s heart. Yet there is enough confidence between mother and child, husband and wife, buyer and seller to make social life a practical possibility. Confidence may be risky, but it is nothing like so risky as mistrust. The secrets of enjoying life is to like oneself. One of the best ways to accomplish that is to sped time around people who accept you. #RandolphHarris 13 of 13