Don't Be Lazy About Being Happy

by Greg Quinn

May 26th, 2026

Everyone wants to be happy. But most people are not. Why is that?

We all have our ideas about happiness. We want to be happy, but what does that mean? Happiness is an emotion. It is not an event or possession or activity. It is an outgrowth of who we are, what we believe, how we choose to live our lives.

One of my favorite authors is Dr. Henry Cloud. He writes in his book, "The Law of Happiness" (Howard Books, 2011) that "happiness and fulfillment is not found in our circumstances, our bank accounts, our material possessions, or achievements. Instead, .. Happiness comes largely from how we live our lives and into which activities we decide to invest our hearts, minds, souls, and strength." In Chapter 3 of the same book, entitled "Happy People Are Not Lazy About Happiness", Dr. Cloud talks about things people can do every day to build a life that is fulfilling and meaningful and in doing so achieve true happiness.

Before we get into the results from his research, let me share a few life observations that go along with what Dr. Cloud says.

We have all known people who live life as being truly happy. And we know that it has nothing to do with most of the things that we think would make us (or most people) happy. We think the bigger house, the huge bank account, fame and fortune, the fancy car, the 4-set Perazzi engraved shotguns, the better job, the oceanside vacation home, the prettier wife, the more obedient children. if we but had these we would be "happy". But don't we read regularly in the paper or see on TV all the rich and famous people that seem to have it all yet that are truly miserable? Haven't we heard the saying "money doesn't buy happiness" but fail to believe it? Isn't life more than "things" and happiness more than anything we possess?

Take my two surviving aunts for example. Both of them are in their late 90's (I know better than to give their actual age). I love both of them dearly. Each of them are very special to me in their own way, each irreplaceable in my life. One of them is from my Mom's side of the family, Aunt Christine. She is my late mother's older sister, and the only surviving Kent of that generation. The other is from my Dad's side of the family, Aunt Camilla. Dad was the youngest of 11 and the only boy (talk about spoiled!). Aunt Camilla is one of my late Dad's older sisters. She is the only surviving Quinn of that generation. Neither are rich nor have they been. Neither are poor nor have they been. Both have enjoyed a good life with a good husband and a good family. They put their faith in God and placed their activities in His service, and in the service of their families. They raised good kids. They have grandchildren and great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. They enjoyed time with their siblings. They put importance on family and relationships. They pursued activities that involved those they loved. Both have lived a life of service. Aunt Camilla is a "prayer warrior" and one of the most powerful people in prayer that I have ever known. Aunt Christine is about kindness of service; she will do anything to help those she loves. They are both still active in their church. They keep themselves physically fit. They are grateful for their lives. They pursue activities they enjoy. They laugh when they can and cry when they must. They have survived husbands and children and all of their siblings yet laugh and remain happy. They remember with fondness all the memories of the past but look forward to each day and to make it special. They have a way of making those of us younger than them wish we ourselves could grasp the peace that comes from happy living. They have lived a life of peaceful contentment. 

In my other work outside of Gunblast. com, I work with a lot of very rich people. Most of them place money above people. Most of them are not happy. Many are downright miserable. Many are on their x number of wives. They do not have an enjoyable family life. They place their own worth and that of others upon possessions and achievement. They do not understand the concept of peaceful contentment. Many are in their 70s or older. They have lived a life that has not found happiness. Unless they change, they will come to an end of their lives realizing that happiness, peace, joy, contentment has escaped them. It had become an object they could not purchase and could (and many have) ended their lives rich in possessions but very poor in the things that mattered. 

So happiness is something that should be valued more than silver or gold or any possession or achievement, yet happiness is not a value in itself but the outcome of chosen life activities.

It takes effort to be happy. Happy people put in effort to be happy. They do the things in life that makes their life more enjoyable. They don't put off happiness but pursue it. They are not lazy in their efforts to do what they can to be happy.

Hebrews 6:12
12 that you do not become [a]sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. This verse is saying not to become lazy but do the things with faith and patience to inherit the promises of God. The Bible is full of the promises of God. The biggest promise we can receive is salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and in such, the Holy Spirit living inside of us each day to help us live a better life.

Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 [g]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

If we really exhibited the fruit of the Spirit, which is promised to all of us who believe and put forth our efforts in faith to yield the fruit in which Christ died and rose for us to receive, as indicated above, would not our lives be better and more happy? What if we loved people the way God tells us to love others ("love they neighbor as yourself")? What if we lived a life of joy and peace; would not we be much happier as a result? If we were "longsuffering" (patient) and kind and good, would we not enjoy a better life? What about being faithful to the Word of God and we lived our lives by Jesus' example? If we exhibited a gentle personality, and utilized the self-control given to us by the Spirit, wouldn't we be happier? These are fruits of the Spirit living within us that are waiting to be pushed into our souls (mind, will, emotions) and into action within our physical bodies. If our efforts focus on the Spirit within us being exhibited in our daily lives, would not we be much happier as a result?

Dr. Cloud gives some examples of what happy people invest their time in to achieve and maintain happiness. He lists in his book 10 things that if we do these it will yield happiness.

1. Building relationships and community. Getting together with friends and family, Bible study groups, structured times set aside to spend time with others.
2. Being involved in growth activities. Participate in programs to help one grow.
3. Pursuing goals. Happy people have physical, financial, vocational, avocational goals. They set aside time to set goals and then pursue them.
4. Serving others. Happy people find meaningful ways to give of time, talents, money to help others. They are unselfish but practice service to others.
5. Nurturing a spiritual life. Happy people devote time to spiritual activities, such as prayer, meditation, Bible study, attending church, listening to Christian music, etc.
6. Exercising and staying healthy. Happy people develop a routine of exercise, healthy eating, and pursuing an active, healthy lifestyle. They work to not get sick and stay healthy.
7. Practice gratitude. They regularly express gratitude to God and others. They are not an "ungrateful little." (another story). 
8. Pursuing activities they love. Happy people find things that make them happy and pursue them. Whether that is in their work, hobbies, or other activities, they spend their time doing things they love to do.
9. Stretching themselves. Happy people look for activities and goals that will push them to be all they can be. 
10. Resolving pain and conflicts. Whether in relationships or their own souls, happy people do not avoid problems but do what is necessary to heal them. They don't let little things fester in their relationships. They work to solve problems within themselves and others they are in relationship with.

Happy people engage life and pursue their dreams. They work these activities into their daily lives. They allow the fruits of the Spirit to freely flow through their lives and impact the lives of others. They find happiness themselves and make people around them happy as well.

I and many others (most of you reading this I would imagine) say things like "this is good but I don't have the time". Or, "if I had more (time, money, influence, etc.. you fill in the blank) I could achieve happiness". I hope by now you realize that happiness is a byproduct of how you live your life. It is not based in what you achieve or what you possess. It is based upon active participation in doing things whose end result will produce happiness. And, some wise person once told me, "You will find the time to do the things that are most important to you."

Perhaps we should shoot for a goal of integrating some of these 10 things into our lives to see if the outcomes will make us more happy. Don't try to do all 10 at once. Pick one. Do it. Make it a pattern in your life. Then pick another. Rinse and repeat.

We just celebrated Memorial Day here in America. One of our most precious documents is the "Declaration of Independence". The most famous quote from this grand document is the following:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

We live in a free country, the greatest in the world. God has given Americans the opportunity to pursue life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Being that our nation gives us the right to pursue happiness, and our Bible and our God demands it, doesn't it make sense that we should exercise the activities that allow us to achieve this lofty goal, that of being happy?

Let us all today make a decision to pursue happiness in our lives. Let us take one or all ten of these recommended activities by Dr. Cloud and use these to enrich our lives and those around us. Start it today. 

True happiness cannot exist without salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. God sent his Son Jesus to die for your sins, to take punishment in your stead, and to give you in return His forgiveness, love, mercy, grace, salvation, healing, righteousness. And it is a free gift; all you have to do is ask. So before you focus on "happiness", ask Jesus to come into your life, thank Him for saving you, and receive today his free gift of salvation through his grace (unmerited favor). Pray something like this right now:

"Dear Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. I believe you came to earth and died for my sins. I know I have made many mistakes, but through your grace you have forgiven me for all of them. I receive today your forgiveness as a free gift, and I make you my Savior and my Lord. Fill me with your Spirit and help me each day live a better life. I know that at the end of my days I will be with you in Heaven. And until that time, help me be the best version of me that I can be. I thank you, Jesus. Amen."

We have all heard the saying, or maybe saw it on a bumper sticker, "Be Happy". Now you know how.

God bless.

Greg Quinn