The hedonic treadmill or hedonic adaptation is an idea that all of us have a baseline level of happiness, and when negative or positive life events occur, we eventually return to our set point. That’s not to say we don’t change or the road back from a painful experience isn’t challenging, but in general we’re happy and excited about a new car, a child getting into the college of their choice, or watching our team win a big game but sooner or later we return to our usual level of happiness. On the flip side, we’re sad over the loss of a job, the end of a marriage or long-term friendship. We’re sure we will never get over it, but with time and distance, hedonic adaptation would say that we ultimately return near to our baseline level of happiness and sadness.
A few years ago, my then-teenaged nephew asked me what years of my life I would want to relive. “What were the best years?“ he asked. When I told him I didn’t want to return to any year, that I was fine with the present he couldn’t believe it. “Not your 20’s? What’s wrong with your 20’s. You’re single, you get to do what you want, you’re making money, you’re only supporting yourself!!” I didn’t elaborate but just said, no thanks. Now he’s in his mid-20’s, working, single and living in an apartment in DC. He called my sister last week and said, “Tell her she was right. I know what she means; 20’s are hard.”
I used to think that once I got into this school, or got this job, or married this person, or had kids it would all be great. Instead despite all my good fortune there were always big and small problems to work through.
It’s the same way with miracles. They are, well, miraculous. We can hardly believe we have been blessed or given a gift that is life changing, but it’s a real challenge to hold onto that feeling. We can express our thanks and be humbled, but we tend to move on. It’s human nature.
That might be part of the reason why Jesus repeatedly asks those who witnessed or were a recipient of a miracle to not spread the word. Jesus knew that miracles made people joyful, but that joy was not sustainable. He knew people would show up for a miracle, but would they stay afterwards? He didn’t want people to come and see a show, and then disappear into their old way of living. Jesus wanted people to stay and listen to his words and believe in this one God who was loving and kind and would change their lives.
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