by Kathy Clark Smith

Created on: June 26, 2009   Last Updated: June 30, 2009

The word "happiness" sounds so simple, but as most people know, finding true contentment can be quite a mountain to climb. Why is happiness so illusive? Why is it such a difficult objective to attain?

I considered this as I watched the news last night about a Canadian who travelled to Africa on a mission trip. Images were flashed on the screen of the lived-in shacks, barely-clothed children, and swarming flies. Clean, running water is nothing more than a fantasy, food is a luxury, and the possibility of death by starvation and disease is a daily reality for children and adults alike. "But", the missionary went on to conclude, "somehow they seem happier here than back home".

I couldn't believe what I just heard. They were happier? There's no clean water, disease is rampant, poverty is epidemic, and medical resources virtually inaccessible. They endure hardships that appear only in our nightmares. And they seemed happier than we are? How could that be? Is it possible that our rich nation may be able to learn something from this third world country?

The two countries couldn't be more dissimilar, but apart from the differences in quality of life, there seems to be an underlying factor for happiness that eludes us. We have food available to us, even if we can't afford to buy it. We have money available for us through governmental resources. We have the advantage of accessible technology that is supposed to make our lives easier, but I don't think it has made it better.

A couple of months ago, I was at a restaurant and glanced over at a table of four young girls. Three of them were talking on their cell phones, and the fourth shrugged her shoulders and pulled out hers too. The cell phones destroyed the group atmosphere and cut off valuable social connections.

I mentioned to my oldest son that I was concerned about the amount of time he spends playing video games. I went on to explain that growing up, I was allowed one hour of television a day, and there were only three channels to choose from (and to change channels, I had to actually get up and turn the dial until it clunked into place). He asked me what I did with all my time and I struggled to remember. "I guess I just played with my friends a lot" was my conclusion. Today's video games creates its own social networks, but without the human link.

Emails are the communication tool of choice for many now. It has become easier to send an email, even intra-office, rather than writing notes or speaking directly

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