America’s Founders knew that the pursuit of happiness involved personal liberation, Arthur C. Brooks writes. https://lnkd.in/ejyZFWkS The Declaration of Independence asserts that there is an “unalienable right” to the “pursuit of happiness,” Brooks writes. “As a happiness specialist, I have always been puzzled by something about this early-American happiness advice … As wise as they were, the Founders were mixing up getting happier with minimizing the sources of unhappiness.” It’s fair to say that their philosophy was not about learning how to enjoy life, Brooks writes, but “about clearing away the self-imposed sources of misery that make pursuing happiness difficult or impossible.” The Founders believed that successful self-government relies on personal self-government, and in their writings, the Founders explained how one can go about it. First, curb your appetites. As Brooks interprets the advice from Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography, “Poor health due to excess and poverty from wasteful spending are avoidable sources of misery.” A second lesson to take from the Founders is the benefits of humility. “The Founders would definitely disapprove of our cult of self-esteem,” Brooks writes—and according to research, learning from others and acknowledging one’s limitations “strongly predicts lower levels of anxiety and depression.” Another piece of advice Brooks takes from the Founders is to avoid idleness. Thomas Jefferson, for example, wrote in 1787 that “a mind always employed is always happy.” There is a danger in overcompensating and making ourselves too busy, “but staying occupied with meaningful tasks is a guard against misery,” Brooks writes. Finally, shun the limelight. “Alexander Hamilton called the desire for recognition “the ruling passion of the noblest minds.” “But a miserable passion it is, leading to frustration,” Brooks notes. https://lnkd.in/ejyZFWkS 🎨:: Jan Buchczik
Leaders need to do the same. The 15 Diseases of Leadership, According to Pope Francis https://hbr.org/2015/04/the-15-diseases-of-leadership-according-to-pope-francis
I've read that the original concept was life, liberty and property. (Hands off, government and fellow citizens!) But, Amen! to the importance of self-government as prior condition to good civil government.
Author of The Monocled Writer. I bring common sense back in writing about technology. 15 yrs of strategic clarity in B2B tech, engg. & SaaS for Fortune 100 clients. Cybersecurity, AI/ ML, IIoT, Energy, Telecom. 💬📞👇
2moFrom the Smithsonian: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-dark-side-of-thomas-jefferson-35976004/