Have you asked yourself what true happiness means to you? Is it winning a sweepstake, driving a lamborgini or owning a good class bungalow with a prestigious postal code ? Or it could be something more intangible, like being able to contribute to a charity or a cause you are passionate about, knowing your generosity no matter how insignificant is going to put food on the table for the less fortunate and the impoverished in some third world country. Sometimes we become so fixated in our quest to be the best in everything, in our senseless pursuit to hoard and accumulate wealth that we forget what being happy, truly happy means...
I once told my friend as she was lamenting how she envied the lives of the rich and famous, or closer to home being a tai tai. To make her feel better, I asked her if she preferred a life with loads of cash, driving a Benz, wears a Patek but with no friends and missing a loving spouse? Or having a a husband who returns home after work, compliments your mediocre cooking, takes the children to the park on weekends and stops at the hawkers to bring home your favourite supper because he knows you could do with a nasty supper once in a while and doesn't mind you putting on weight cuz he'll still have the hots for you even when you are both old and shrivelled. I don't deny money can buy you happiness albeit temporarily but no amount of money can buy you that laughter from your children, having the health to do the things you want to do, to run that marathon or having a true friend who understands you for who you are and not how much you have in your bank account. Money can never buy LOVE... eg. one example comes to mind....Cristiano Ronaldo. His one-night fling cost him $20 million. He is happy cuz he is now a father and with his currently salary, $20million for a surrogate is a walk in the park. Miss "American Waitress", $20 million richer and all she needs to do is shut up and not talk to the press. But in her lowliest time she will wake up from this earthly dream and realised what she is missing and how she doesn't even get the chance to name the child she bore. The father of the child, well he's gone for sure. In 18 years time, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. will start searching for mummy and you know what, she has been compensated and no, she don't need to show up. How sad is that?
As this blog is dedicated to all things simple I have created my very own happiness list, they are my own and I am sure you will have your very own...
Happiness is....
1. finding someone you love under your cover
2. when your partner left the car for you with a full tank
3. finding a missing keepsake
4. being there to cheer your children at the baton relay
5. knowing your family enjoyed your cooking
6. when the hotel upgrades your room
7. when your friend whom you last met for 20 years says "you still look the same."
8. finding a parking lot nearest the entrance/exit
9. when mummy beckons you home for dinner cooking your favourite dishes
10. getting your driver's licence
11. when your husbands notices your new haircut
12. when the jackpot machine had gone crazy and keeps paying out
13. when your luggage is the first to emerge from the belt
14. driving pass the ERP gantry 2 secs before it is activated
15. when I see elderly couple hold hands
16. realising size LARGE is way too large for you
17. baby utters "mommy" first
18. knowing you carried an umbrella during an unexpected rain
19. finding your favourite ice cream flavour right at the bottom of the rack (rum & raisin)
20. finding a mother's day card done by your child during Kindergarten. Priceless!
21. Lastly, finding a long lost friend on Facebook.
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