Search for Happiness Reading Worksheet
Reasons to Believe Lesson 19
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The Search for Happiness
Directions: Read about why we all desire to be happy and discover the four kinds of happiness.
What would you choose for lunch today? Maybe a warm, cheesy slice of pizza or your favorite ice cream treat! We want these tasty foods because we think they will make us smile. In fact, everything we choose is because we want to be happy. Happiness is getting what we want or need. But did you know that not all happiness is the same?
The 4 Kinds of Happiness:
1. Pleasure 2. Comparative 3. Contributive 4. Spiritual
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The First Kind of Desire: Pleasure
Immediate fun and comfort
Short-Lasting
We all need food, water, a cozy bed, and warm clothes to stay alive and healthy. We also love sweet treats like ice cream, fun games, and comfy shoes! These things make us feel good right away.
Why it fades: An ice cream cone makes you smile while eating it, but soon you finish it and you are hungry again. This happiness is quick, so we look for something deeper!
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The Second Kind of Desire: Comparative
Winning and being the best
Competition
Sometimes we compare ourselves to other kids. We ask: "Who is faster? Who got higher grades? Who has the coolest shoes?" Winning a soccer game or getting a ribbon feels wonderful!
The comparison trap: If our happiness depends only on beating others, we feel sad whenever someone else wins. It cannot make our hearts truly peaceful.
The Four Kinds of Happiness Read about Kinds 3 & 4 on the next page Page 1 of 2
The Search for Happiness (Continued)
Deeper & Lasting Joy
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The Third Kind of Desire: Contributive
Helping and making a difference
Deeper & Lasting
We feel true joy when we help someone else! When you share your toys, comfort a friend who is crying, or help your family, that happiness does not vanish quickly. It warms your heart for a very long time.
Empathy & Conscience
Empathy means feeling what someone else feels. Conscience is God's voice in our heart guiding us to do what is good and loving.
Saint Spotlight
St. Teresa of Calcutta gave her whole life to care for the sick and lonely. Helping others brought her joyful, lasting happiness!
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The Fourth Kind of Desire: Spiritual
God's love and perfect joy
Forever Happiness
Even after doing great things, our hearts still desire something more. We long for perfect love, pure goodness, and peace. This desire is for God Himself. Only God's love can fill our hearts completely and make us supremely happy forever.
The Happiness Scale:
Level 1: Fades Fast ➔ Level 2: Fails Easily ➔ Level 3: Lasts Long ➔ Level 4: Eternal
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How do we know that not all feelings of happiness are equal?
Think about how long each kind of happiness lasts and how deeply it satisfies our hearts.
The Four Kinds of Happiness Search for Happiness Reflection Page 2 of 2