Happiness Comes From Within - and Also Without

The Greeks commented that eudaimonia (well-being, flourishing) came from arete (excellence). But what it excellence? Being the best you can be, developing your natural talents to the fullest you can.

But how do you do that? For one thing, I believe a lot of it depends on validation, especially when you're a child. After all, the word "education" means to "draw out," that is, develop your talents.

A lot of people don't get the validation they should have gotten from parents, from school, from work, from society.

Unfortunately, these days, our society is based on "drawing out" the Seven Deadly Sins - Gula (gluttony), Fornicatio (fornication, lust), Avaritia (avarice/greed), Superbia (hubris, pride), Tristitia (sorrow/despair/despondency), Ira (wrath), Vanagloria (vainglory), Acedia (sloth).

There are other, and better, ways. People need what I call "meaning, purpose and community." They need to feel alive.

By the way, "virtue" means "the powers of man" and sin means "to miss the mark." It comes from archery.