Don't Worry - Be Happy
If you are old enough – keep in mind the 80s were 40 years ago – just hearing the words “don’t worry, be happy” will trigger musical memories and an almost compulsive desire to sing “Don't worry (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Be happy!” Bobby McFerrin’s 1988 Reggae Acapella hit that ended up winning the Grammy for Song of the Year and topped an insane number of charts was everywhere and in its ubiquitous presence was described as a formula for facing life’s trials. Granted, Village Voice also called it one of the worst songs ever, but seriously, what do they know. Lyrical issues aside, there is something … stoic … about the song. Don’t worry – be happy. The Stoics through its many philosophers explored the many facets of virtue and the importance of virtue as the sole approach to happiness. Which is just a fancy way of saying that indeed the goal of life is happiness. According to the Daily Stoic: “It's the pursuit of virtue and good character that allo...