Category: Opinions

What is happiness? At Houghton, there is constant pressure to make important decisions. What will my major be? What will I do this summer? Will I go to graduate school? In making these pivotal decisions, one must constantly discern what is truly important. While priorities during this short span of life are ever shifting, one thing that everyone wants is happiness. Unfortunately, the kind of happiness that is most desired, the kind that leads to deep peace and satisfaction, seems unbearably elusive.

Recently, I found a contrarian model of happiness in an unlikely place, a history book called Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari. The focus of Sapiens is on how Homo sapiens became the dominant species on earth, but Harari hides brilliant philosophical insights throughout. He argues that from an evolutionary perspective, humans are not designed to be happy. We have a baseline of happiness that we will always revert to, no matter how much we indulge our desires or how successful we are. This makes sense from an evolutionary perspective. If we would have been satisfied after hunting and eating only once, we would have starved. Likewise, if we would have been satisfied after mating just once, we would not have survived as a species. In other words, we are wired to only experience temporary satisfaction.

Harari suggests that there are only two things that can ever increase our happiness: physical health and meaningful relationships. From this perspective, our happiness is based purely on neurochemical reactions. This is actually quite encouraging since we have the power to create a healthful environment to optimize our brain’s functioning as an organ, in essence adjusting our baseline. Unfortunately, college is a health disaster. Three buffets a day and limited activity are far from optimal. In addition, many students put immense amounts of pressure on themselves to perform at a high level, causing stress, sleeplessness, and overall physical breakdown Finally, we subject ourselves to high levels of auditory and visual stimuli in the form of excessive media consumption, but we don’t match this with equal physical stimulus, resulting in neuromuscular tension and anxiety. Yet we wonder why we are miserable amidst so much opportunity and accomplishment. It is because we see happiness as a product of success rather than as a product of health.

Meaningful relationships are the second component of happiness. By meaningful relationships, I do not mean friends and acquaintances. I certainly don’t mean the broad community here at Houghton. I mean life’s most precious relationships, including parents, children, spouses, fiancees, and extremely serious friends and romantic interests. Perhaps this is why so many students are unhappy. For the first time, their foundational relationships have been removed, only to be replaced by an onslaught of relationships that are incredibly shallow by comparison. These meaningful relationships are so important because as humans we crave recognition, but only recognition from those closest to us can satisfy this craving. This is why celebrities, who are “recognized” for their talents by millions, are often extremely unhappy. Shallow recognition is like junk food. It leaves people sick, not nourished. Another reason why these relationships are so essential is that they distract us from ourselves. I posit that much of our unhappiness stems from rampant self-absorption, and truly loving other people allows us to stop worrying about our own state.

So how should we react to this contrarian and simple model of happiness? I personally find it comforting. According to this model, high GPAs, job offers, and overall success cannot bring lasting happiness. The things we are told to strive for most are not contributing to our happiness, and furthermore  may be harming our chance at attaining it. Self-promotional academic and career goals that that are out of line with prioritizing God seem so vapid in comparison to a chance at true happiness brought by deep personal relationships and health.

Perhaps Harari is wrong. Maybe happiness isn’t that simple and there really is a goal out there that is so worthy that it could eternally satisfy. Personally, I find the evidence too compelling to ignore. I see too many miserable people slowly killing themselves with caffeine and alcohol and high fructose corn syrup. Likewise, I see them consume junk food of a different sort as they try to fill the pit of loneliness in their emotional stomachs with shallow relationships and cheap approval. For this reason, I am willing to take this gamble for happiness. As terrible as it sounds, I think I could endure a life of deep and loving relationships and healthy living.

Tyler is a sophomore majoring in math.

I have met countless people who have no idea what they want to do with their professional lives, but are in college studying something they are passionate about. For freshmen, and even sophomores, this can be confusing. From a young age, I was encouraged by my parents to pursue anything I was passionate about. Their encouragement is the reason I am at Houghton College studying history. I remember talking to my mom about my world history course and how much I loved it when I was in high school. She then suggested that I go on to study history in college. Once I realized that I could continue in my schooling studying what I loved, I was hooked on the idea.

Maybe you don’t have one particular subject  you are passionate about. I encourage you to take classes in several different disciplines. It wasn’t until I took a required English class that I was reminded how passionate I am about literature. Those seemingly boring classes that you are required to take can be very helpful in guiding you in your future. Am I going to minor or major in English? I probably will. Will it be helpful to me after college? I have no idea, but I believe that if I am passionate about it, I should pursue it.  

A lot of people shy away from certain disciplines because they believe they will not make a suitable paycheck once they enter the workforce. As much as I understand that, I personally could not make myself study and then go on to work in a field that I am not passionate about. Why go into work every day to a torture chamber, when you could pursue a career where going to work is at least somewhat enjoyable?  I decided to go for the dream job, to do the thing I feel is in my bones. I think there is value in doing what you feel God is calling you to, or has given you special gifts for.

Another dilemma people sometimes face when beginning to pursue their passions is difficulty of some majors. Countless questions pop up in your head, wondering if you will be able to get through the demanding work ahead of you. Yes, the work will be difficult, but to get to where you want to be it isn’t necessarily going to be an easy path. If you really have the goal in mind and the passion pushing you forward, going for the goal will be easier. There will be a fulfilling ending in sight for you to work towards everyday.

I am not saying anything and everything is possible. I am far from that optimistic. What I am saying is don’t give up and don’t be easily deterred. Study what you love, and pursue a career you want. Don’t go after your parent’s or anyone else’s dreams. Go for your own. It may look a little uncertain, but that is just part of life. It wouldn’t be any fun if you knew your life plan, so in the meantime work towards your passion and know that God has your back.    

Mackenzie is a sophomore majoring in history.

These days, it seems like every major news or media outlet is trying to paint the world in black and white. It feels like any issue, no matter how complex or multifaceted, can be reduced to a two sided, liberal versus conservative debate. This kind of media has influenced our politics and even the way we hold discussions. With the way we talk about anything, it seems like we are desperate to put people into boxes. The moment someone mentions they’re pro-life, we automatically assume that they’re Republican, conservative, and don’t believe in climate change. I have no idea how we got from abortion to the environment, but it happens all the time.

We live in an age of associations, where it is easy to reduce people down to a stereotype. Instead of trying to listen to and understand others as complex people, we jump to conclusions and simplify them so that we don’t have to put in the effort of understanding. Dean Jordan described this idea in chapel recently. He said that when we refuse to listen to what others are actually saying to us and instead focus on what we think they should be saying, we’re essentially saying, “Back in the box, I don’t care.” We are so quick to classify people as conservative rednecks or liberal snowflakes. What about the conservative snowflakes or the liberal rednecks? Better yet, why is it a dichotomy? Who says there can’t be liberal hail, sleet, and freezing rain as well as snowflakes?

I think what this tendency really reflects is our exhaustion. We know that issues are so complex and it’s nearly impossible to understand everything about them. Because we have so much access to social media, we are flooded with information every time a new problem arises, which is about every 30 seconds. It would take so much effort, mentally and emotionally, for us to understand and be empathetic to all sides of any issue we encounter. It is much easier to just put things in black and white. Listening to those who disagree with us is really difficult, especially when we feel strongly about something, but it is possible. The most trying part of this process occurs when we feel threatened by another person’s view. There are some issues on which we believe the stance we have chosen is the right one, and others who feel differently are uneducated or just plain wrong. Sometimes, people really are uneducated. That doesn’t mean we can condescend to them and make them feel stupid. Instead, we can listen to their views, even if some of their facts aren’t quite straight, because they are still an intelligent, thinking human being with reasons for believing what they do. Sometimes we feel like people are just plain wrong. That doesn’t mean we have to correct them right then and there. There’s even the possibility that we ourselves are wrong or can learn something.

It’s not about who’s right and who’s wrong when we’re having conversation, it’s whether we value the thoughts and opinions of the human sitting across from us. We are not in the middle of a competition over whose political views constitute absolute truth, we are living in a community with other living, thinking human beings who deserve to be loved and understood. Empathy hurts, and understanding is exhausting. But it is a measure of how much we value each other that we give empathy, understanding, and love anyway.

Sydney is a sophomore majoring in Spanish and intercultural studies.

In 1940, a Spanish chicken farmer named Juan Pujol García decided that he would drop everything and aid the Allies during World War II; he wanted to become a spy for the British. After being denied the position three times, García switched tactics and applied to work for the German intelligence. This time, he was quickly recruited. García then immediately returned to Britain where he became a double agent. Over the next four years, García would send credible yet completely bogus reports to the Nazis while keeping the Allies informed of their strategies all the while. Along the way, García was awarded both the German Iron Cross and the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, something that he found deeply amusing. His career reached a climax when he deceived Hitler and ensured the success of D-Day.

So, what’s the point? Sure, it’s an entertaining nugget of history that’s fun to bring up every once in awhile, but why bother writing about it here? Hold that thought.

Fast-forward approximately seventy-five years. Two weeks ago, we celebrated several Houghton alumni, recognizing their achievements and contributions to society and the world around us. Whether they’re writing award-winning literature or training Olympic athletes, it’s impossible to deny that Houghton College has produced countless graduates who have gone on to achieve amazing things. After watching a ceremony like this, it’s hard to believe that each of these men and women were once a freshman like me.

Being in a brand-new place is certainly intimidating, especially when I find myself surrounded by lots of people who are already at ease and know their way around college life.  In full honesty, it’s often easy for me to feel somewhat insignificant, and I’m willing to bet that there are many other students who can relate and understand where I’m coming from.

That being said, I’m not trying to throw a woe-is-me pity-party. Everyone on this campus either is or was a newcomer and most likely has experienced at least a taste of what I’ve expressed. Yet in spite of that, the evidence we saw just two weeks ago at the awards ceremony shows that simply being young or new makes no difference as to the potential for greatness in any given student. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that, more often than not, we undersell our ability to be excellent at something based on the assumption that because we are new we cannot be as good as others.

There is something God created deep down inside of us, something difficult to define. It’s a kind of spark put within the core of our being, a small but powerful inspiration to go beyond what we might normally do. All of our important accomplishments stem from this innate desire, and it is what encourages us to please our Creator. God struck this spark with purpose in mind. It is not simply an ability, but a mission. The Apostle Peter sums it up in 1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

Do you remember Juan Pujol García? Within a year he went from feeding chickens to being one of the most elite British spies on the field. Within three more years he had changed the course of history. While you or I may not go on to shake the foundation of a war (although you never know), we most certainly have the capability to do remarkable things. If a chicken farmer can become a secret agent, surely a Houghton freshman can become truly incredible.

Luke is a first-year majoring in writing.

Back in August, before the semester started, my sister posed a question, “What is your favorite food?” By this she meant, what region of the world’s food is your favorite? I had to take into consideration the degree to which she understood the difference in cuisines of the world, as they may be represented here in the Finger Lakes. While I don’t mean to say that there is not enough diversity here to be representative of some very delicious plates, it is also not uncommon for local restaurants to have  a stark deviation from authentic dishes, not quite grasping the true essence of foreign culinary originality. I had to think about my sister’s question for a moment. Almost to my own surprise, the answer slid out, “Here!”

Now, I absolutely enjoy trying food from elsewhere in the world. In fact, if ever I had the resources, it would not be beyond me to visit a far off place solely to experience food in its own kitchens of origin. However, did you know that New York grows about 60 different fruits and vegetables annually? That number is only representative of the produce that is grown in significant quantities and shipped off to other places. That number does not include the less well-known crops, wild fruits and vegetables not normally domesticated, grains, mushrooms, herbs, lettuces, legumes, nuts, animals, honey, maple, and more. We are talking hundreds of options right in our back-yard. To this, my sister responded, “I never really thought about that. I guess because most people don’t really know how to prepare them.” Yes! And therein lies the topic I would really like to discuss.

To be clear, this discussion is more of an invitation to look at our relationship with food from a distinctly behavioral perspective. Keeping in mind 1 Corinthians 8:8, “But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.” Take a minute to consider what drives your food decisions. Are the decisions based purely on preference, on pleasure, convenience, or simple familiarity? Biology has peered deep into the delicate relationship between nutrients and our bodies. Our bodies function best when absorbing the full range of macro and micronutrients. To oversimplify it, taste the rainbow – I’m not talking about Skittles. Fundamentally, eating is one aspect of our relationship with Creation. It is a way in which we participate in the entire ecology of the world. The attitude with which we approach our relationship with Creation matters: the wisdom of Proverbs 15:17 instructs us, “Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.”

That bounty stretching the terrane of our back-yard reveals something about our Father, and about His world. Every edible thing is a unique manifestation of the holistic Creation, each bearing just a taste of the richness our Father has provided through diversity. God did not pack all the nutrients we needed to sustain and maintain our physical bodies in one organic vehicle. He spread them out and delivers them in ways that increase the breadth, width, and depth of how we experience His world. We see this blessing in Genesis 1:29, “Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.”

I know what you are thinking – but that taste, that texture, and its appearance. You might be surprised to find out that taste sensations only take a matter of weeks to adjust to change. If you have studied any biopsychology, you may have learned how misleading and yet perfectly fantastic the sensory system can be. What is preference anyway? Good, bad, or indifferent, we make decisions about food multiple times a day. Behind those decisions lie an attitude that, on a practical level, defines part of our personality merely based on its daily practice. Once an attitude becomes a habit, how many other areas of our lives do you think it pervades? How much more of the richness in diversity are we deprived? Just as the whole of Creation is not separate from its elements, so Scripture speaks of unity and diversity in the body, “in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.”

Daniel is a senior majoring in psychology.