The Source of Happiness

A logical question arises: is happiness material or spiritual? Closer to human understanding, it is material. No one can deny the fact of feeling happiness when something pleasant is done for us. But if it is a feeling, then it is spiritual!

And the most important part of these questions, as yet unanswered: where is the source of this feeling? How does one maintain spirituality within materiality? Is it possible to have it constantly and without limits?

To come closer to resolving this dilemma, let us listen to a "miracle" of today.

About two years ago, we were preparing to open a new business. This involved all the necessary expenditures of time and money, documentation, and the scrupulous selection of equipment and location. The ordered furniture and equipment began to arrive via FedEx and were temporarily stored in one of the rooms of our apartment, which was on the third floor and, by the way, without an elevator.

During the second round of lifting heavy equipment, I noticed that the same young, slender, postal worker was engaged in this unenviable and low-paying "sport." Heartily sympathizing with his labor, I decided, as a gesture of gratitude, to give him a few dollars, a bar of kosher chocolate, and, of course, not missing the moment, a Moshiach card with the Seven Laws of Noah. He was pleased and happy.

After that incident, he appeared at our place one more time with an order. And… not again until today, with another order. But with a difference in time — about two years.

Today, I was expecting a heavy package. I opened the door at the ring. I recognized him, but with difficulty. The same slender, "young" man of the same color. What had changed him? A beard — of a decent length. He greeted me joyfully and handed over my boxes. I signed and thanked him.

And suddenly he said: "This is my mitzvah for today." Seeing my surprised face, he continued: "I am studying." And laughing, he added: "I saw an angel in a dream who told me what I must do."

Not fully understanding the seriousness of such an unexpected transformation, I asked what his words meant. To which he replied with confidence and respect: "You probably forgot how you once gave me a few dollars, chocolate, and a card of the Rebbe? By the way, it was him who told me what I should do. I am studying!"

And this answers our questions.

Many years of searching for happiness often lead a person to its realization. It can be a rapid and short burst of emotions if they were born of material joys. It can take a long time and culminate in long-awaited and, at times, hard-earned feelings. But whatever their nature, they remain in the memory for a long time, if not forever — for a simple reason: we felt very good during that period.

So how does one grasp happiness and hold on to it? It is not difficult at all. Just as everything in this world has its source, happiness also has its beginning. And that beginning is in the Almighty, Who teaches us how to be constantly happy.

The lesson is absolutely simple and accessible to everyone — live in step with the times, concentrate on the present moment: here and now, there is work for us. And this work is holy, and no one will do it if we do not. The world needs us and is ready to accept this holiness.

As we see in our story, when the opportunity to sanctify the Name of the Almighty arises at a certain moment, one simply must not miss it. And the result is a feeling of happiness — under one condition: caring for another person.

And the unsurpassed advice for constant happiness: one good deed, one good word, and even one good thought… will ultimately tip the scales and lead to the full revelation of Moshiach.