Happiness is elusive. We may be ecstatically happy one moment, and then something happens to destroy that wonderful emotion. That is why happiness is a lifelong goal for us. Finding that joy in a person, home, car, job, or lifestyle causes us to feel that peace is not possible.

An episode of “Father Knows Best” originally aired on April 5, 1959, and deals with this idea. It was titled “Formula for Happiness.” Jim Anderson, played by Robert Young, has a dream where he is going on global television in response to a request by the President of the United States to share a formula for happiness that is sealed in an envelope.

The focus throughout the next day is on this formula and the man who is trying to acquire it to keep it for only those that he and his company believe deserve it. Anderson wants to give the secret to everyone. Of course, this is the correct position because the father does know best. The question is “Where did this dream originate?”

As the story progresses, we discover that Kathy, Anderson’s youngest daughter, wrote an essay on this topic. She wanted her dad to have his secretary type it for her. Another ongoing focus of the episode is that while he knows best, father may not always do the best thing. Recurring times occur when he tells her that he is busy with something else. As you watch, look for the lessons this situation comedy teaches.

The secret to happiness is contained in Kathy’s essay. The essence of it is, “Everyone would be happier if they treated others the way they want to be treated.” Anderson words it this way after reading the paper, “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.” Yes, that is the golden rule taught by Jesus.

When Jesus said the greatest commandment was to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and strength, and the second-best was to love our neighbor as ourselves, He was restating this differently. The focus of the Bible is love. For Jehovah and human beings, if we focused on someone other than ourselves, happiness would no longer be elusive. It would be easy to obtain.

In our world of 2026, happiness is no easier to find than it was in 1959. It is still fleeting. You find it for one minute, and then whatever created it no longer has the same effect on you it did minutes before. Some of us have happy marriages or relationships, for a time. Then something happens.

There is still no formula for happiness. If you want to be happy, accept what God and life is giving you. Change it for the better where you can and be happy that there are possibilities. Ask for and accept help. That can be a difficult lesson to learn. Look for a hand up, not a handout.

©Copyright 2026 by Charles Kensinger