THE GOAL OF HAPPINESS (CONTINUED)

---

          What can we do to bring happiness to these 40% of adults, and beyond, feeling loneliness?

The skills, of which Plato speaks, needing development, involve the Four Pillars of Man, these being the Physical (Material) Pillar, the Intellectual Pillar, the Emotional Pillar and the Spiritual Pillar. If one fails, all fail, forcing happiness to flee, bringing on loneliness, whereas happiness flows from the satisfaction of these Four Pillars. 

           If one were to fly over this country looking down, he would see factories, industry, farms, mines, lumber yards, railroads, highways, cities and towns of all sizes, with lakes, rivers, mountains and deserts, of unbounded beauty, coming together with courage and imagination making a great nation from sea to shining sea.

          But if one were to get out, walk around and talk with the farmers, workers and bosses, the rich and poor, the people in this beauty not seen from high in the air, he would witness people fighting with each other to grab a bigger bite of the American apple.

          Happiness is not seen. The Four Pillars of Man are failing giving us a life focused on learning how to hold on when everything feels like it is falling apart in a chaotic and dangerous world where emphasis is on people pulling each other apart not pulling together.

          Shamefully people are united in their lack of happiness accompanied by loneliness pulling people apart from achieving that one goal truly uniting all. That is the goal of happiness. 

           It is imperative that of these Four Pillars of Man, the Physical Pillar demands attention. With its achievement, the Intellectual Pillar, the Emotional Pillar and the Spiritual Pillar have a chance to thrive, giving happiness a chance.

            Otherwise, we continue to live in a world as described by Thucydides, “The strong do what they can do, and the weak do what they must”.