Should everyone be happy?

Growing up, I don't remember anyone saying it was important to be happy. It's not like anyone said, "Be unhappy" or bitter or resigned or anything else for that matter. Just nobody talked about it. I remember a lot of talk about duty, God's will, hard work, patience, endurance, obedience, honor.

I think happiness was assumed to be like peace and beauty; some hippie notion out of California. Happiness could be lumped with leisure time and homosexuality; it led to a weakening of American morals. I bet too much talk about happiness could have gotten you labeled a "socialist" and kicked out of the Elks Club.

So the other day I get this random message from the Universe saying, "Be happy." Not just be happy, but be the happiest person on the planet.

Ok, let's assume this mandate is couched as a bit of an exaggeration. Let's assume that I am only supposed to be as happy as I can personally be. That's still a pretty radical notion.

What if everyone got this message? What would people do? Would the garbage get collected? Would anyone work in retail? Who would clean public toilets?

I try to picture it.Politicians would stop talking about the First and Second Amendments so much and talk about that "Pursuit of Happiness" phrase in the Declaration of Independence.

But isn't that what America is all about? Aren't the ads for cars, teeth whiteners and fabric softeners all geared at selling us happiness? When politicians talk about protecting the American Dream and The American Way of Life aren't they talking about our pursuit of happiness? Everyday thousands of people cross our borders legally and illegally because they think they will be happier here.

So I am claiming this right. I have once fought for and claimed the right to my own life. Liberty will be a topic for another day. Today I declare my right to pursue happiness.