Drew Foster Foster 1Mrs. BuenoHonors English14 December 2013Darrin M. Mcmahon, the author of the article "In Pursuit of Unhappiness", was born in 1963. Darrin went out of order to say "Happy New Year!" and I realized that they are just expected words that are said without any meaning behind them. Even during holidays when people are expected to be happy, they think that the words "Happy New Year!" they are just words that should be said. If you think about the words “Happy New Year”, year does not mean just one day, so the words are meant to wish a whole year of happiness. But instead people reserve their happiness only for holidays. John Stuart Mill, Carlyle's long-time rival and both philosophers, makes a valid statement that those who focus on anything other than happiness are just happy. For example, setting the goal of being happy means risking being happy, because when you don't reach it you lose even more happiness. Thomas Carlyle and John Stuart Mill both have similar concepts about happiness. Carlyle, who is a Scottish philosopher, notes the misconception of religion before the 17th century. Many ignored the religious ideas that brought misery into their lives, but some people found God's care very satisfying. Earthly satisfaction, McMahon states, was an attempt to bring heavenly happiness to earth. This religious change was to replace the feeling of misery with happiness. John Stuart Mill, who is an English philosopher, explains another way to achieve happiness based on his personal experience. After suffering from a d...... middle of paper ......for such books is a strong indication that they don't work." Setting your goal and being determined or even desperate to find happiness is dangerous and it is risking your happiness. If and when you do not achieve happiness, you lose all of it and even become unhappy. Focus your mind on something other than your happiness and you will achieve true happiness with family or walking in the park with friends...spend a few leisurely hours at the office or at your favorite charity, temple or church. Work on your jump shot or your child's model trains ' of luck, you will still find happiness." So instead of saying “Happy New Year,” Darrin M. McMahon says “'Don't have a happy new year!'” because “Only those are happy who have their minds fixed on some object other than their own happiness,” says Mulino John Stuart.