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“Rules for Happiness: something to do, someone to love, something to hope for.” So wrote Immanuel Kant.

Just exactly how, or generally, would you define happiness, friends?

My guess is that such a state of being, happiness, is different things to different people. Also, one’s definition would probably change through the years, and be affected (Note, I did NOT say “impacted,” nor will I ever say “a ton of either. Never. ” That’s a whole ‘nother thing, though.”)

Not experiencing serious health problems by a family member certainly gives a real measure of happiness. I’m sure I’m not alone in that viewpoint.

Truth is, much about happiness is directly affected by family dynamics. Much.

“Something to do.” It makes sense that a person needs something to occupy him or herself. Only a very lazy, indolent soul wouldn’t want to do anything. If that “something” has intrinsic or extrinsic worth, so much the better.

“Someone to love.” For most of us, loving someone is almost immeasurably important. Yet there are those who seem to “love” money, possessions, power, etc. more than “someone.” That would seem a shallow existence, but what do I know?

“Something to hope for.” You would think just about everyone has hope. Dreams. Yet there are those who seem not to; the reasons for this could be that life has beaten them down, or perhaps their childhood years were such that they were conditioned not to be hopeful. They were being realistic. Whatever the reasons, it’s sad. Very sad.

When I chose Kant’s “Rules” I wondered if I could expand that thought provoking saying/writing into a column. To be honest, I wasn’t sure I could. Especially an interesting one, but I decided to give it a try. The reader’s judgment is more valid than mine.

If you are still with me here, still reading, thanks. I hope it hasn’t been a complete waste of your time. Now there’s a good “something to hope for.”

My Incomparable First Wife’s mother put it best when she said, “You make your own happiness.” She understood.

I “hope” we can get together again, right here, next weekend.

Til then