On Friday, Kicking off the Washington Examiner’s Sea Island Summit in Georgia, Arthur Brooks, head of the American Enterprise Institute, offered some thoughts on how we can be happier.
That might sound like an odd topic for a political summit, but what is the point of life if not to be noble or happy? Brooks’ argument was clear: We should revel in the possibilities of life. Referencing 19th century artist Thomas Cole’s four-painting series, “The Voyage of Life,” Brooks suggested the best foundation for happiness is re-imagining our perspective of what makes us happy and sad. Brooks’ contention here is not that what makes us happy or sad shouldn’t achieve that effect, but rather that we reconsider whether what is driving those emotions is justified. Put simply, introspective analysis is crucial toward the bettering of our lives. That foundation established, Brooks offers a series of principles that he believes we should embrace as guiding principles in our lives.
