Happiness... it's what most of us seek. Scientists say they know how to measure happiness and are piecing together what they believe really makes us happy.
They've even identified the "happy" chemical in our brain – serotonin.
Despite our increasing knowledge, many reports claim that Britain's happiness levels are declining.
In his book Britain on the Couch, British social commentator Oliver
James argues that as a society we are much unhappier now than in the 1950s, despite being considerably wealthier.
For many people, the critical factor is a loss of purpose. Many of us feel shackled to the treadmill of everyday existence and we long to be free: "I owe, I owe, so off to work I go!"
For those who are retired, the struggle to live within the bounds of a fixed income can feel equally imprisoning.
Tragically, all too easily we fall for the fallacy that increased wealth will bring the release we long for and the illusive happiness we crave.
The Bible challenges us in this. In his letter to the young church at Ephesus, the apostle Paul wrote: "It is in Jesus that we find out who we are and what we are living for."
Jesus still challenges us today with his provocative preaching.
The Good News Bible renders the traditional "Blessed" of the beatitudes of Matthew Chapter 5 v3-11 as "Happy": "Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor, the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them!
"Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has promised!
"Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires, God will satisfy them fully!"
That's something to think about on a wet January morning in our low-serotonin society.
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