Why do you think so many people in our society see happiness in purely material terms? If the Bible is right that human beings are made in the image of God, why is this certain to end in frustration? Jesus Christ said, 'I have come that [you] may have life, and have it to the full.' (John 10:10, NIV) and made clear that this would be achieved through dying in our place and rising again. What are the implications of this for your pursuit of happiness?

Society is based on the structure of the nation, and how the United States communicates. The biggest form of communication between consumers and the "leaders" of the nation is the media. Essentially, television, the radio, the internet, cellphones and other gadgets are the general populations means of communication, and, more importantly, a means of advertising. A way for groups or individuals to be able to spread a message and information. What is commonly the message is that happy individuals are the ones who have the newest phones with the fastest speeds, the shoes with the coolest designs, the clothes with the brand names and the make-up worn by the hottest women. In turn, the people in our society believe that getting these things will make them happy. Perhaps because they are unhappy, and they see that the people in the commercials appear to be happy, they've come to equate happiness with obtaining the products seen online or on television. PEOPLE ARE "GADGET HAPPY." 






In terms of the Bible and God, if humans were made in the image of God, then material things should not be emphasized so much by people. After all, God does not have the freshest kicks, nor the newest iPhone. Yet he is not being affected by the stereotypes and ideals of a society like Americans are in America. Humans are more easily influenced by material things. In John 10:10, NIV, it is said that Jesus Christ states that he came to die and rise again for our happiness, that we may live life to the fullest, without worrying and fearing our afterlife. This should help many people in pursuing their own personal happiness's, because it allows them the freedom to pursue other things that make them happy and satisfy them, because they are secure in the knowledge that they are going to be taken care of in the afterlife.

'A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without Him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.' (Ecclesiastes 2:24-26, NIV) What do you think is meant by the word 'happiness' in this passage? How does the Bible differ from the film in its description of how happiness is obtained? Try and list specific ideas or values that the Bible talks about.

In this passage, the word happiness seems to mean simple satisfaction. The Bible seems to equate happiness with simple living, no luxuries or things of that nature, just merely the bare necessities of life. This is understandable because a relationship with God does not focus on material things, but spiritual things. In The Pursuit of Happyness, happiness is shown as being obtained by hard work and constant effort to reach a goal. Chris Gardner wasn't technically "materialistic" yet in comparison to how people lived in the times when the Bible was being written, he definitely is. 

Some passages from the Bible help to illustrate the values that are appropriate for achieving happiness versus the ones that are not appropriate to achieving that end:

• The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (ESV Mark 12:31)
• And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. (Luke 6:31)
• Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:12-14 ESV)
• Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices ... (Colossians 3:5-10 ESV)

It is clear with just a few passages from the Bible that the characteristics that are valued deal with not holding on to the bad things in life, and that a person should try and be the best they can be, outfitting themselves with what are labeled as "good" qualities. These qualities include humility, kindness and patience, while the "bad" include qualities along the lines of anger, hatred and being a liar. Pretty cut and dry.

What things do you think we should pursue in life? Is happiness one of those things? Why/why not?

"You got a dream, you gotta protect it. People can't do something themselves, they wanna tell you YOU can't do it."

I think people should pursue ______ in life: 

All the words below may be placed in this blank.

• Education- mustn't be ignorant. Besides, knowledge is power.
• A relationship with God- highly personal, I understand religion is a touchy subject, yet these are things I believe are worth my own personal time and therefore, might possibly be worth others' time.
• Appropriate goals- talked about in previous questions.
• Happyness.

There is definitely more, but these are just the "top dogs" of my list, the most important ones.

Happiness is DEFINITELY a worthwhile pursuit. It is definitely something I believe people should pursue throughout their lifetimes. I only pray that they go about achieving their happiness in a good way. Not "thee right way," but a decent one. 

Happiness [hap-ee-nis] noun meaning: good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy.

Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections. That being said, happiness is a worthwhile pursuit because life is not perfect. Nor will it ever BE perfect. So people must look beyond these imperfections and try and find happiness or else they will never be satisfied, and never get anything good or decent out of their life. People should never dedicate their lives to doing things they do not enjoy because there is no point. Happiness gives life a point, a purpose. It is one of the good things in life that should be experienced. Now, I'm not saying everyone has a right to happiness, but they should want to experience it even in its smallest forms for their own health and benefit. If stress and despair could not be fought off with happiness, the world would be an even uglier place.

How do you feel about Chris's goals in life? To what extent do you identify with them in your own life?

I deeply respect Chris's goal to have his son know him as a father the way he was unable to know his own, for the simple fact that it's an honorable thing to do. A worthy commitment, to make sure you play a part in the upbringing of your children. Even better, Chris works his hardest to give his son Christopher the best, even taking him from his mother because he knew she wasn't fit to care for him the way he knew he could. I hope to be as inspirational and have as meaningful a relationship with any son or daughter of my own.

As to Chris's goal of becoming a stockbroker, which he achieved, I respect that as well. But on a less personal and emotional level than when it comes to an issue like the love and protection of one's children. The kind of respect I feel is on a more professional level, what would be from one employee to another, an I-respect-your-perseverance-determination-and-heart level. This kind of respect is evoked in response to Chris's character as a hardworking man and strength as an individual trying to make it in a difficult world. Here's where I can more fully identify with Chris in that I have some of my own hopes, dreams and goals in motion for my professional future. For me, at the age of seventeen, my education and profession of choice are more front-and-center matters than a child.

Considering that Gardner received no education after high school and still got the job in a highly competitive field and environment gives me hope. I can see, however, where I lack in some of the character and strength of will that he has. Although he was merely acting, Will Smith lent a sense of will and determination to Chris Gardner that few can contend with, and a work ethic I hope to emulate as I step into the world of business and adulthood past my high school years.

'You want something. You go get it. Period.' (Chris) 'I've always believed that my dreams and my desires can command and bend time and space to be the things that I want them to be. On a very natural, on a very human level, Chris Gardner displays that same ability.' (Will Smith) Do you believe that you can always get what you want if you try hard enough? How can these comments be squared with Chris's statements quoted in the previous question?

My thoughts on happiness are based on the idea that everything has limits, or they should have limits. We live in the 21st century, where people are capable of many things, but not EVERYTHING. In a way, as time has gone on, people have learned not only the vast number of things they can do, but the many more things that they cannot do.

That being said, I believe that someone can get what they want when they're trying hard enough purely within reason.

No matter how hard you try, some things are simply unattainable, and people should know their own capabilities before they decide to set a goal. Saying that people should censor their hopes and dreams is a bit harsh, so I'm not going to say that. Instead, these statements express my views on people's goals only. I would encourage anyone to dream, and dream big. But when it comes to goal setting, things have to become a bit more realistic.

In terms of relating to the Chris's statement in the previous statement, they are somewhat contradictory of each other. It is common though for someone going what he experienced in the movie to go through several phases of thought on the same subject. It is entirely reasonable. "You want something. You go get it. Period." is a power statement. A statement designed to get someone going, to give them motivation. His previous statement is more philosophical and a work in progress. A developmental idea if you will.

It is true that the sky is not the limit, for there are footprints on the moon. Yet for the sake of keeping in touch with reality, maybe the limit should be set at the sky, because the stars are unreachable in all but the most extreme cases of good fortune. For the sake of someone's overall happiness, they should set limits, because eternal disappointment is to be had if someone's dreams are too wild and free. Willy Loman from Death of a Salesman is a prime example.

'And it was at that time that I thought about Thomas Jefferson writing that Declaration of Independence. Him saying that we have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And I thought about how he knew to put the 'pursuit' in there, like no one can actually have happiness. We can only pursue it.' (Chris) Do you think anyone can achieve happiness? Why/ why not? Is pursuing happiness better than achieving happiness or not? Why?

Being that happiness is conditional, I do believe that anyone with realistic goals can achieve happiness with no problems. If someone sets an unattainable, almost impossible goal, they are destined for failure. Many parents tell their children that they can be whatever they want to be. This is true up to a point. If a child has grown up making the wrong choices and walking down a bad path, then they are limited as to what they can be. Indeed, to become the President of the United States, one would not be able to have a juvenile record or a history of violence, or smoke illegal substances, etc. etc.

Also, as a person ages, their ideas of happiness change. The things that bring them happiness can change. Maturity can instill new values and beliefs in someone, and in turn affect their happiness. So not only is happiness conditional, but it is constantly changing and growing as a concept for each individual. This is what makes it hard to answer these kinds of questions.

In the pursuit of happiness, one can discover much about themselves. If they are going through a struggle, they are building a stronger character and establishing the morals they are going to live by from then on. In addition, they may discover that what they thought was going to make them happy, won't, in fact, do so. They may realize that their dreams were naive or selfish, or set too high for them to achieve, and in turn choose to alter them. So, in a sense, pursuing happiness may be better than actually achieving it, although I'm sure it is possible to do both.

Do you think that people have an unalienable right (i.e. a right that should not be taken away from them) to happiness? Why/why not?

Happiness is something that depends on the person. It changes with the person it affects. For instance, spending quality time with my younger brother is something that makes me happy, and gives me happiness. For some teenagers, this would not be the same case. For them, partying and drinking may give them the happiness they want, whereas I know these things will never satisfy me nor make me happy. That being said, as the feeling of happiness is conditional, so too must an unalienable right to the emotion be conditional. After all, if the death of one human being is what will make another person happy, then I believe that their right to that happiness is not unalienable. An extreme case and example, yes, but things can happen. Every case must be considered in an issue such as this one, even if it is only theoretical.

   
Everyone holds their own happiness in the palm of their own hands. It is what they make it, because it is for themselves only.