Many of us wander like dilated-eyed zombies through life accepting the implication of the media and the marketplace that America is the most wonderful place on planet earth, because we are “free”. As my old landlord would say when I complained, “It’s a free country. You can move.” We bask in the neon glow of our freedom of speech and our freedom of religion, and shudder at the dusty plight of people who are oppressed all over the globe. Women cannot vote in Saudi Arabia. North Korea suppresses religion. These two, and other major countries are run by the kind of dictators that would make Clint Eastwood shiver in fear.

So we can truly thank God for being able to live with the freedoms we so fondly embrace. And, if freedom equals happiness, we can all be happy, right? Um…well…no. America is not high on the list of countries known for happiness. Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, Iceland, Finland, Australia, Sweden, Canada, Guatemala, and Luxemborg (in that order) stake claim to the happiest countries in the world. According to Ruut Veenhoven who runs the World Database of Happiness at Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Why aren’t we the happiest? Well it might have something to do with how much consumerism there is here. We are carpet-bombed on all sides with advertising to buy things. From billboards, to emails, video ads, even unwanted text solicitations that we have to pay for make their way into our annoyed cell phones. Every creature comfort from overseas swims to our borders. We celebrate each new invention of convenience with accolades and late night TV spots. Our near obsession with acquisition to comfort us on every square inch our bodies, and all nooks and crannies of our taste buds is the cult of our generation. Sure the Snuggle ^TM blanket looks cozy, but every new comfort and convenience also makes us weaker. We’re a nation of metrosexual softees. And that makes us vulnerable. True or not, the image of fat drunken Roman’s being taken over by lean, strong barbarians hangs in our collective fantasy of the past. Are we headed for the same end?

Sometimes the things we own end up owning us. If you can take or leave your comfortable couch, you are no longer a potato. If you are willing to sleep on the floor, eat dry bread, and drink only water then you are truly free, unencumbered by a need for creature comforts. And if you don’t need your Ipod, then your Ipod is a blessing that makes you happier. Anything that you don’t need but own is a benefit. You value it. If it’s a necessity it’s harder to value. We take air and water for granted. I take my electricity for granted, until a recent tsunamiesque wind took out our power and the house grew cold and dark like an arctic cave. Boy am I happy to be in a well lit, toasty warm house today.

Creature comforts can give you more happiness, but true happiness can only be experienced if you don’t need them. If you don’t have to have your latte, then your latte can truly make you happier. Asceticism is definitely not the ideal way to live life. The Infinite Creator made so many and various pleasures in the world. From the beaches of Hawaii to the crescendo of a Beethoven symphony life wields a cornucopia of physical, emotional, and spiritual pleasures. We don’t value living a life devoid of pleasure. The Almighty loves us and wants us to have pleasure. He created us as pleasure seekers. But woe to the ones who become slaves to those pleasures. Don’t let your latte shackle you.

Try it for a few days. Have just bread and water. Sleep on a board. See if it doesn’t make you feel something inside akin to invincibility. You’re one step closer to being truly free.

About the Author : Rabbi Max Weiman's new book "A Simple Guide to Happiness: From A Mystical Perspective" is available on amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, borders.com, and from the author by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it