Pursuing happiness in the year ahead

“Happiness is the only sanction of life; where happiness fails, existence remains a mad and lamentable experiment.” – George Santayana, poet and philosopher

As this year comes to an end, you might want to call this the Santayana edition of the Cape Gazette. This editorial begins with a quotation from the famous Spanish man of letters, and a special section in the middle of the paper also includes one of his familiar quotations.

Each, in its own way, focuses on happiness as a fundamental goal for existence. The people who wrote the defining goals for this nation considered “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” as basic rights for all citizens.

So which way should we be leaning in 2013 to put ourselves on the right track in our pursuit of happiness?

One of the final reports presented this year came from a survey conducted by University of Delaware's Sea Grant program. The study of coastal Delaware determined that the restaurant and bar business contributes mightily to the economy of our area. It estimates that those hundreds of business employ more than 7,000 people who collectively earn about $163 million annually.

That money then swirls through the rest of the economy along with more than $200 million annually from the thousands of us working in the healthcare field.

Its a certainty of life that with age we begin to develop physical problems that create job security for the healthcare industry. And eating and drinking not only keep us alive but also contribute to our happiness.

In between is the physical fitness that helps build good appetites and which can help us avoid the chronic illnesses that often come with being overweight.

In 2013 we will see many of this state's newest hiking and bicycling trails beginning to take shape.

Added to the many trails we already have, they will further encourage us to be outside and be active. They will attract more people to our area and continue to build the tourism base so vital to our economy. Coastal Sussex County is blessed to have such a strong tourism industry and a growing outdoors infrastructure that will make it easier for us to be physically fit enough to pursue happiness in 2013.