Happiness, contentment, the health and growth of the soul

In the thoughtful and enduring words of George A. Smith, a spiritual teacher and thinker of the nineteenth century, there resounds a truth that reaches to the core of human existence: “Happiness, contentment, the health and growth of the soul, depend, as men have proved over and over again, upon some simple issue, some single turning of the soul.” These words, rich in quiet power, speak of the profound simplicity upon which the destiny of the spirit rests. They remind us that the great transformations of life do not always come through grand events or long labors, but through a moment of choice — a turning of the soul — when the heart decides to move toward light instead of shadow, toward peace instead of chaos, toward truth instead of illusion.

George A. Smith was a man who believed deeply in the moral and spiritual growth of humanity. In his time, as now, the world was filled with noise — ambition, distraction, and the endless pursuit of material gain. Yet Smith saw clearly that happiness and contentment, those most elusive treasures of human life, were not found in possessions or achievements, but in alignment — in the moment when the soul turns toward its rightful path. He observed that health, both physical and spiritual, arises from inner harmony, and that this harmony is born from a single act of clarity — a recognition of what truly matters. His words call us back to the ancient wisdom that life’s greatest strength lies not in complexity, but in simplicity.

To say that the growth of the soul depends on a “single turning” is to recognize that each human being carries within themselves the power of transformation. One need not wait for divine thunder or the world’s approval; the sacred change begins quietly, like a seed choosing to sprout. It may happen in a moment of suffering, in a flash of forgiveness, or in the soft realization that love is greater than fear. The turning of the soul is the awakening of awareness — when the spirit, weary of wandering, turns back toward truth. It is the invisible moment when a person says, “Enough,” and begins to live differently.

History has given us countless examples of this single turning. Consider the story of Leo Tolstoy, the great Russian writer. At the height of fame and wealth, he was overcome by despair, feeling that all his success was meaningless. Then, one morning, he looked upon the faces of the peasants — poor, simple, but radiant with purpose — and something within him shifted. His soul turned. He renounced his riches, embraced simplicity, and devoted his life to compassion and spiritual understanding. From that single decision flowed peace, purpose, and the profound writings that have inspired generations. His happiness did not come from power, but from alignment — the harmony between his spirit and his actions.

The ancients spoke of this turning in many tongues. In the East, it was called enlightenment — the moment when the mind awakens from illusion and sees the eternal truth. In the West, the prophets called it repentance, not as punishment, but as return — the soul’s journey back to its source. The turning of the soul is the same in every tradition: it is the point where one stops living as a stranger to oneself. It is the moment of health — not merely of the body, but of the being. For when the inner life is rightly ordered, the outer life follows in harmony.

Smith’s wisdom also warns us that men have “proved it over and over again.” History, philosophy, and faith all testify that the simplest truths hold the greatest power. The world tempts us with endless complexity — the belief that peace lies in wealth, status, or control. But all these pursuits exhaust the soul. The turning he speaks of asks for humility — to stop striving outwardly and begin listening inwardly. It asks us to pause and ask, “What am I truly seeking? What, if chosen now, would make me whole?” In this stillness, the soul finds its answer, and the answer is often simple — love, forgiveness, gratitude, presence.

The lesson, then, is clear and eternal: do not wait for the world to change; change the direction of your own heart. Happiness is not a destination, but a byproduct of right alignment. Contentment arises when the soul no longer wars against itself. And health, in its truest form, is the peace that comes from living in harmony with truth. Each person, no matter how lost, holds within them the power of this single turning — the ability to choose light over darkness, compassion over bitterness, simplicity over chaos.

So remember the teaching of George A. Smith: “Happiness, contentment, the health and growth of the soul depend upon some simple issue, some single turning of the soul.” Do not underestimate the power of that moment. When you feel weary, when the world confuses you, pause and listen for the whisper within. There, in stillness, the soul will show you the way. Turn toward what is good, true, and eternal — even once — and your life will unfold in peace. For in that single act of turning, you do not merely change your path; you awaken the divine strength that was always waiting within you.