{"id":1583,"date":"2016-05-06T22:34:15","date_gmt":"2016-05-06T22:34:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/?p=1583"},"modified":"2016-05-09T11:25:56","modified_gmt":"2016-05-09T11:25:56","slug":"life-liberty-and-the-acquisition-of-happiness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/2016\/05\/06\/life-liberty-and-the-acquisition-of-happiness\/","title":{"rendered":"Life, liberty and the acquisition of happiness"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>We visited Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. \u00a0I knew the bare minimum on TJ before going to Monticello but I feel I know him much better after the visit. \u00a0We started our time at Monticello by watching a short video and near the beginning was a quote by Jefferson that really stood out to me&#8230;<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Wow&#8230;TJ and I think alike! \u00a0Our family has always made it a point to spend mornings together before school, we walk the elementary kids to and from school, and we eat dinner together even with busy soccer, robotics and dance schedules. \u00a0We make it a point to go to church together and we try to have some leisure time together on the weekends when time allows. \u00a0I love love love this time together. \u00a0But like Jefferson I felt like these moments were relatively few or, maybe more appropriately, that they were going by too fast.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>But now, the last 3+ months has been a great family togetherness binge fest. \u00a0We have been driving together, schooling together, working together, cooking together, eating together, exploring together, learning together, reading together, writing together&#8230;everything is together. \u00a0Oh, we&#8217;ve all had our moments where together is too much, but when a wave of that hits me I try to take a deep breath and enjoy this time that is fleeting. \u00a0This time of constant family togetherness.<\/p>\n<p>Jefferson had some other things to say about happiness.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>A mind always employed is always happy. This is the true secret, the grand recipe, for felicity.<\/p>\n<p>It is neither wealth nor splendor; but tranquillity and occupation which give happiness.<\/p>\n<p>Happiness is not being pained in body or troubled in mind.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>If I were to sum all of these quotes up (using perhaps Huck biased mathematics) it would be that happiness is health, relationships, inquisitiveness and serving.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Health<\/strong> &#8211; Nobody will argue about health bringing happiness. \u00a0Who doesn&#8217;t want to feel good and be free of aches and pains with a clear head and no worries?<\/li>\n<li><strong>Relationships<\/strong> &#8211; I believe we were created to be relational beings so it only makes sense then that relationships bring us happiness. \u00a0Jefferson mentions his family but I think it extends to our friends, neighbors, coworkers, church family and our Creator.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Inquisitiveness<\/strong> &#8211; Our brains are amazingly complicated machines and since happiness is a feeling that originates in our cranial CPU I think it makes sense that exercising our brain increases happiness. \u00a0Asking questions, searching for answers, solving problems, remembering the past and dreaming about the future makes neurons fire, chemicals release and happiness increase.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Serving<\/strong> &#8211; What about serving? \u00a0Jefferson didn&#8217;t mention serving but he did mention occupation and whether your occupation is stay at home mom, banker, barista, welder, teacher, lawyer or president of the United States you are serving others. \u00a0Serving others gives us purpose and makes us feel like we are making a difference and that we are needed. \u00a0If our occupations give us a well in which to fetch out a bucket of happiness then volunteer opportunities are like a great geyser spewing out and drenching\u00a0the volunteer and all who they serve in happiness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Probably the most well known quote of Jefferson&#8217;s (the only one I was familiar with before our visit to Monticello) is right there in the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness\u2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>When I read that today and I reflected on the above 4 ingredients of happiness I realized that I am\u00a0not in <em>pursuit<\/em> of happiness, rather I have\u00a0<em>acquired<\/em> happiness! \u00a0I am a happy man. \u00a0So what next? \u00a0Nothing less than acquiring still more happiness of course. \u00a0I am now in pursuit of <em>increased<\/em> happiness!<\/p>\n<p>Alright, this post got a little deeper than I&#8217;m used to. \u00a0Sorry about that.<\/p>\n<p>Jefferson also believed that agriculture was one of the keys to happiness and he had a fantastic garden. \u00a0I know many gardeners who feel very happy when they are getting their hands dirty and cultivating life. \u00a0Our garden back in Longmont is not super bountiful but I hope to continue building my knowledge and skills in this area once we return to Longmont.<\/p>\n<p>Here is\u00a0one more of Jefferson&#8217;s quotes on happiness&#8230;<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Traveling makes a man wiser, but less happy.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>WHAT YOU TALKIN&#8217; ABOUT TJ?!! \u00a0I can only reason that he was talking specifically about business trips!<\/p>\n<div id=\"flickr_72157665702674184_8824\"><div class=\"slickr-flickr-slideshow landscape medium \"><div class=\"active\"><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7449\/26614834640_064350a980.jpg\" title=\"Need a boat\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Need a boat<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7458\/26614833710_fa34e85682.jpg\" title=\"Kids with TJ\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Kids with TJ<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7764\/26853935526_ff3b0aba20.jpg\" title=\"Singing in the rain\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Singing in the rain<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7777\/26614833060_1d7406707e.jpg\" title=\"The ladies\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>The ladies<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7713\/26282049434_91f7623e99.jpg\" title=\"Monticello back\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Monticello back<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7701\/26853840086_6e0bb68043.jpg\" title=\"West lawn\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>West lawn<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7530\/26853899586_5f80dd6653.jpg\" title=\"Poppy suprise\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Poppy suprise<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7688\/26614772830_caf0344dd4.jpg\" title=\"What&#039;s inside?\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>What's inside?<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7669\/26281972884_f399740820.jpg\" title=\"Cellar\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Cellar<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7242\/26853805386_8b8d25cb6d.jpg\" title=\"Captive audience\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Captive audience<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7742\/26283063813_232c68b437.jpg\" title=\"Locking the door\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Locking the door<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7482\/26887630795_970cd7391d.jpg\" title=\"Ironing\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Ironing<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7376\/26887626825_fc92cfd217.jpg\" title=\"Dumb waiter\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Dumb waiter<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7543\/26820099811_b9e8577192.jpg\" title=\"Monticello front\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Monticello front<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7417\/26853720226_c284e7e65a.jpg\" title=\"Awkward thumb wars\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Awkward thumb wars<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7330\/26853731926_323598c316.jpg\" title=\"Overlooking TJs garden\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Overlooking TJs garden<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7152\/26820042691_f321172fb2.jpg\" title=\"The kids\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>The kids<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7678\/26793937202_03ff26728f.jpg\" title=\"More garden\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>More garden<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7063\/26819996531_e4b604c379.jpg\" title=\"Garden\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Garden<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7081\/26793921962_186a8ffb73.jpg\" title=\"Mulberry row talk\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Mulberry row talk<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7254\/26793906092_e38648427e.jpg\" title=\"Listening\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Listening<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7347\/26614842630_d0bc1ed66c.jpg\" title=\"Dacen in the garden\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Dacen in the garden<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7151\/26614842030_710a97f792.jpg\" title=\"Greenhouse\/observatory\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Greenhouse\/observatory<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7497\/26614841530_8ab413f80a.jpg\" title=\"Polygraph\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Polygraph<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7211\/26853939326_feaa11b2c2.jpg\" title=\"Polygraph\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Polygraph<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7491\/26614840700_86eef23110.jpg\" title=\"Cracking the code\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Cracking the code<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7762\/26853938966_080a7de64a.jpg\" title=\"Brielle playing servant\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Brielle playing servant<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7281\/26614839800_cebbb754ae.jpg\" title=\"Working the bellows\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Working the bellows<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7470\/26614839360_8882d175fe.jpg\" title=\"Caden&#039;s plan\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Caden's plan<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7760\/26614838860_c6c71fc56c.jpg\" title=\"Weaving\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Weaving<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7390\/26853938236_4f699b8907.jpg\" title=\"The tower and its builder\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>The tower and its builder<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7362\/26614838130_5b8447159f.jpg\" title=\"Dacen&#039;s monument\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Dacen's monument<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7048\/26853938006_2395f57127.jpg\" title=\"TJ was a gardener\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>TJ was a gardener<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7117\/26794195502_5e497de48d.jpg\" title=\"Niiiice hat\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Niiiice hat<\/p><\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">jQuery(\"#flickr_72157665702674184_8824\").data(\"options\",{\"delay\":3000,\"autoplay\":true,\"transition\":500,\"link\":\"next\",\"target\":\"_self\",\"width\":\"\",\"height\":\"\"});<\/script><div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We visited Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. \u00a0I knew the bare minimum on TJ before going to Monticello but I feel I know him much better after the visit. \u00a0We started our time at Monticello by watching a short video and near the beginning was a quote by Jefferson that really stood out to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[48,46],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1583"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1583"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1583\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1601,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1583\/revisions\/1601"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1583"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1583"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1583"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}