Welcome to Inspirational Living podcast.

Today's reading was edited and adapted from Marriage, A Lifelong Honeymoon, by Bernard McFadden, published in 1903.

Life from birth to death represents an almost continuous struggle for happiness.

When the newborn babe first becomes conscious of their surroundings,

appropriate food and warmth are about all that are essential to happiness.

But as the little one increases in size, their necessities multiply vastly.

Happiness begins to mean something more than the satisfying of the appetite

and the maintenance of warmth.

The child craves association with other children and longs for parental affection.

But the moment school is brought into the child's life,

the real serious pursuit of happiness begins.

The educational methods of school life are supposed to prepare one to cope with the world.

They are supposed to develop the intelligence that is essential to life's greatest happiness. I admit that this is largely a supposition, and that the educational

methods of today are grossly inadequate. Nevertheless, this entire preparatory process is, in practical terms, for the purpose

of adding happiness to adult life. It is supposed to be a preparation for life's duties

and pleasures. When school is left behind, the selecting of a profession or of some other occupation is the next serious step in life.

Many make very grievous mistakes in their choice.

The majority of newly fledged adults consider life to be very commonplace,

and the occupation one finally selects is often one that

is not congenial or even interesting. At every step along life's pathway, the single object

of every human is to add to their own happiness and to that of others.

It matters not what may be your position or business.

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