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I live in the land of Disney, Hollywood andyear-round sun. You may think people in such aglamorous, fun-filled place are happier than others. Ifso, you have some mistaken ideas about the natureof happiness. Many intelligent people still equate happinesswith fun. The truth is that fun and happiness havelittle or nothing in common. Fun is what weexperience during an act. Happiness is what we experience after an act. It is a deeper, moreabiding emotion. Going to an amusement park or ball game, watching a movie or television, are fun activitiesthat help us relax, temporarily forget our problems and maybe even laugh. But they do notbring happiness, because their positive effects end when the fun ends. I have often thought that if Hollywood stars have a role to play, it is to teach us thathappiness has nothing to do with fun. These rich, beautiful individuals have constant access toglamorous parties, fancy cars, expensive homes, everything that spells happiness. But inmemoir after memoir, celebrities reveal the unhappiness hidden beneath all their fun:depression, alcoholism, drug addiction, broken marriages, troubled children and profoundloneliness. Ask a bachelor why he resists marriage even though he finds dating to be less and lesssatisfying. If hes honest, he will tell you that he is afraid of making a commitment. Forcommitment is in fact quite painful. The single life is filled with fun, adventure and excitement.Marriage has such moments, but they are not its most distinguishing features. | 
