Secret to happiness lies in perfecting the 4 C’s

At the beginning of a new year, we often make resolutions that we probably will not keep. Author William George Jordan has given us good advice on how to be happy by following the four “C’s.” The following is an edited version from his “Road to Happiness.”

The royal road to happiness lies in Consecration, Concentration, Conquest and Conscience, Jordon says.

Consecration is dedicating one’s life to the service of others, to some noble mission, to realizing some unselfish ideal. Life is not something to be lived through; it is something to be lived up to. Life is a privilege, not a penal servitude of so many decades on earth. Consecration places life above the mere acquisition of money.

The person who is unselfish, kind, loving, tender, helpful, ready to lighten the burden of those around him, to strengthen the struggling ones, to forget self in remembering others, is on the right road to happiness. Consecration is ever active, bold and aggressive, fearing nothing but possible disloyalty to high ideals.

Concentration cuts away the shams and pretenses of modern living and limits life to its truest essentials. Worry, fear, useless regret – all the great wastes that sap mental, moral or physical energy – must be sacrificed, or the individual needlessly destroys half the possibilities of living.

Soldiers in battle may forget their wounds, or even be unconscious of them, in the inspiration of battling for what they believe is right. Concentration dignifies a humble life; it makes a great life sublime. In morals, it leads to right for right’s sake, without thought of reward. It brings calm, rest and serenity to the individual.

Conquest is the overcoming of an evil habit, the rising higher above opposition and attack. Conquest is the spiritual high that comes from resisting the invasion of the material side of life. Sometimes when we are worn and weak with struggle, when it seems that justice is a dream that honesty, loyalty and truth count for nothing, when hope grows dim and flickers, then is the time when we must rise in faith and right must prevail. We must throttle these doubts and despairs and master ourselves and the world around us.

Even a log can float with the current. It takes a strong person to fight against an opposing tide that would sweep his craft off course. When jealousies, petty intrigues and misunderstandings in life assail you, rise above them. When the chance to win fame, wealth and success or to attain your heart’s desire by sacrificing your honor or principles, we must resist the temptation and become the victor.

Conscience is the guide and compass of every act that leads to happiness. When we can stay alone with our conscience and get its approval without using force or logic, then we begin to know what real happiness is. We must be careful not to appeal to a conscience perverted or deadened by our wrongdoing and our deafness. Conscience must guide the person who is honestly seeking to live a full life every day. It doesn’t matter “what the world says.” One’s own conscience is the voice of the Infinite communing with the individual.

Unhappiness is the hunger to get; happiness is the hunger to give. True happiness must be able to endure sorrow and pain softened by the mellowing years. In time our suffering changes into love and compassion for others.

If people would set out for a single day to give happiness, to make life happier, brighter and pleasant, not for themselves but for others, they would find a wondrous revelation of what happiness really is. Happiness would come to them not because they would seek to absorb it, but because they seek to radiate it.