I read David Lauderdale’s recent excellent summary of the Town of Hilton Head Island’s visioning process the same day I read about Finland’s reaction to being declared the happiest nation on the planet. The Finns, who are fairly retiring and stoic by American standards, might find it hard to accept their status. In world studies, however, happiness does not mean pleasure or temporary excitement, it means contentment; the ability to enjoy life in peace and with compassion, consideration for, and trust in, neighbors and visitors.
