Author: Jun Ariolo Aguirre (304 Articles)

By Henrylito D. Tacio
As an entrepreneur, best-selling author and peak performance trainer, Singaporean Adam Khoo has traveled to various parts of Asia. On a plane to Kuala Lumpur recently, someone came to him and with a shocked look inquired, “How come a millionaire like you is traveling economy?”
Without much ado, he replied, “That’s why I am a millionaire.”
His answer baffled the man – along with others who have read his Secrets of Self-Made Millionaire. Oftentimes, they wondered, “What’s the point in making so much money if you don’t enjoy it?”
In his blog, Khoo posted this timely thought: “The thing is that I don’t really find happiness in buying branded clothes, jewelries or sitting first class. Even if buying something makes me happy it is only for a while, it does not last. Material happiness never last, it just give you a quick fix.”
When it comes to materials things, happiness is elusive. In fact, a study done in the United States showed that happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have. The result, which appeared in Psychological Science, found that people can grow accustomed to their possessions and thereby derive less happiness from them.
The researchers claim that people can continue to want the things they have and that those who do so can achieve greater happiness. “Simply having a bunch of things is not the key to happiness,” said Texas Tech University psychologist Jeff Larsen, who headed the study. “Our data show that you also need to appreciate those things you have. It’s also important to keep your desire for things you don’t own in check.”
At one time, a Filipino priest delivered his Sunday service in Tagalog at St Joseph’s Church on Garden Road in Hong Kong. Before a packed audience, he squeezed through his flock with a microphone.

“Are you happy?” he asked the congregation. A hand snatched the mike from the priest. “Yes, because I love God,” the man said. Amid wild applause, the mike found its way to another person. “I’m so happy because I got my HK$3,670 this month,” he said. “But my employer was expecting a million and didn’t get it. Now he’s miserable.”
Filipinos are among the happiest Asians in the 95 countries listed in the World Happiness Index. The Philippines was listed No. 12 while Japan was No. 19. Bangladesh ranked No. 21 with China and India in the spots of No. 29 and No. 36, respectively.
In the first ever “world map of happiness” produced by Adrian White, an analytic social psychologist at the University of Leicester’s School of Psychology, three Asian countries made it to the first top 20: Bhutan, No. 8; Brunei, No. 9; and Malaysia, No. 17.
Who doesn’t know Abraham Lincoln, one of the most beloved American presidents? At one time, he said, “Most people are about as happy as they choose to be.” I couldn’t agree with him more. He should know. He went through much anguish in his life – the death of his fiancée, lost elections, the Civil War, and other major disappointments. But he chose to be happy and obtained inner joy and peace in those last years before he was assassinated.
In a recent survey I conducted, family, health, and religion are the top three most important things that make Asians happy. This is particularly true in the Philippines, according to a study conducted by the National Statistical Coordination Board. The study showed that Filipinos ranked family as the most important source of happiness, giving it a score of 9.45 on a scale of 1 to 10. Health came next, with a score of 8.95, while religion ranked third with 8.59.
Clarence C. Martinez works in a ship building company about 60 kilometers away from his home in Cebu City. “I go home only on weekends or on Wednesday evening,” says the Filipino executive. “So after a long work at the office, I drive almost two hours and honk the horn of my car to announce my arrival and also as a signal to open the driveway. You can just imagine my happiness when I see my son coming out and hugging me.”
Some Asians find inner joy from their works. “Examining newborn babies” is a dose of happiness for Professor Zulkifli Ismail. “Babies are so lovable and I am grateful that my job actually lets me look at and cuddle them everyday,” says the pediatrician at the Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.
His work also tops the list of Dr Gerard Chuah, a senior consultant eye surgeon at the Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre. “Being able to save someone’s eyesight and allow them to lead a normal life – that gives me a sense of fulfillment and lets me feel my existence on this planet.”
People become happier with age, according to findings from a three-decade-long survey conducted in the United States. “With age comes happiness,” wrote University of Chicago sociologist Yang Yang, who wrote report published in the American Sociological Review.
When asked what makes her happy the most, Dr Emmanuela L. Gutierrez said that being 70 years old, healthy and with her senses still intact. “I can still read and comprehend, see the beauty of nature, hear well, smell the aroma of foods and flowers and plants, and can talk and feel,” explained the Filipino physician who now lives in the United States.
Really, happiness is a matter of choice. An ancient proverb suggests: “Dance as if no one were watching, sing as if no one were listening, and live each day as if there were no tomorrow.” And remember, “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence,” reminds philosopher Aristotle.
Who doesn’t want to be happy anyway? In these days of financial woes, crass materialism, information highway, and high technologies, it seems too hard to find happiness anymore. But there are simple things that can make you happy. Consider these 10 strategies shared to me by my friend, Dr. Willie T. Ong:
Decide to be happy. Make a plan. Think of ways and things that bring you happiness. Set happy goals not just for yourself but include others too. Then, think of what to do next.
Use your talents. Identify your strengths. Can you sing, dance, draw, paint, write, or speak? Find and cultivate these strengths of yours. Focus on them and they will bring you confidence and satisfaction. Do what you were meant to do in this world.
Do something. Play with your kids. Have fun with friends. Take time to relax and play. There’s nothing wrong with having fun and liking your work. Go through your normal day in an easy and light manner.
Be curious. Try to see happiness around you. Watch the sunrise, feel the cool breeze, listen to the birds chirping and see people smiling. Nature is full of happiness.
Count your blessings. Be grateful and happy with what you have. Accept the blessings that you have and think positively on the things you do not have. Maybe you weren’t meant to get it anyway and that something better is in store. Look at the bright side always.
Like yourself. Everybody commits a mistake at some point in their lives. It’s part of our learning process, whether it’s because of our youth or ignorance. Try to make amends on the mistakes you made and then let it go. A wise man said that it’s the things we didn’t do that we later regret, and not the things and mistakes that we did.
Pamper yourself. After a long work day, treat yourself to a warm refreshing bath. Enjoy your favorite magazine. Tinker around your hobbies. And when you feel like a kid, bring out the child in you.
Enjoy close relationships. A unique study shows that talking to a supportive friend is as effective as taking a tablet of pain reliever. There is something heavenly in true and caring friends. Invest your time in building close relationships. They are as good as money in the bank.
Find positive people. Surround yourself with positive and happy people. Find good mentors. They can be the keys to your success. Some believe the other person’s good influence and good karma will also bring you luck. Happy people also tend to be more supportive of others, too.
Volunteer to help someone in need. If you want to receive US$40 worth of happiness, donate US$40 to your favorite charity. Studies show that the more people give to others, the happier they become.
So, what makes you happy? Singaporean millionaire Khoo again shared this thought: “Happiness must come from doing your life’s work (be in teaching, building homes, designing, trading, winning tournaments etc.) and the money that comes is only a by- product. If you hate what you are doing and rely on the money you earn to make you happy by buying stuff, then I think that you are living a meaningless life.” — ###