It takes very little to make Pinoys happy
Author Unknown
A few weeks back, the World Values Survey of social scientists ranked the Filipinos as among the happiest people in the world after conducting a cross-cultural study of sociological behavior. The results showed happiness for people varied from one culture to another, and that we are the happiest in Asia and sixth among 65 other countries. The surveys revealed many Americans achieve happiness from personal success and self-_expression. In Japan, it is all about satisfying family and societal obligations. Nigeria, Mexico and Venezuela topped the list of the happiest people around the world, confirming that money cannot buy happiness. In fact, the World Value Survey called the desire for material things as "happiness suppressant."
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And us? As Pinoys, we can laugh at ourselves. Our temperament enables us to weather everything. That is the reason why we have maintained our sanity and continue to possess a happy disposition. Our sense of humor is unique. We laugh about anything, even how death would bring the departed to enjoying his own funeral, or to his wishing to just be put to rest. From politics to poverty, and frustrated murders, we are able to coin words and find something amusing with every situation.
At Baguio, when the price of meat soared, residents casually said they would become healthier as vegetarians anyway. Whenever there is an oil price hike, a threat to the household is more time at home under the lady of the houses watchful eyes the better to monitor her husbands whereabouts. In a break-up, "Its his loss," we say. Or, "Im sure there's someone out there better for me." When there is a road accident, we say, "At least, no one's badly hurt," or, "At least, he's alive." We adapt to many situations and life goes on bahala na ang Diyos. Every mistake, misfortune or challenge brings humor as a consolation.
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Filipinos have a unique way of seeing that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. It could be because we are religious, willing to leave everything to fate. We believe that if it happens, it's meant to be. Certainly, we could be hung-up in a sad situation but rationalize it to our advantage and end up shrugging our shoulders as God is around. We are a very accepting people, in fact, sometimes a little passive, as we lighten our load and allow ourselves to endure while smiling.
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It takes little to make most Filipinos happy. Sure, we all want some money at our disposal, but with many Filipinos, it is not the end of all things. We are easy to please, but not because our standards are low, but because we are innately simple people.
Ask any mother what will make her happy. Her answer will be that her family stays together healthy and her children become college degree holders. Ask any sensible father and he will say, "To provide food on the table three times a day." That will make him happy. We want what is enough and we want it for our families. The core of our happiness lies on people relationships not money.
While we all have grandiose dreams, we accept realistic goals not to be unhappy. That happiness isn't an unreachable aspiration. The path is clear and the rules are few. As long as we live by the axiom, we generally remember the golden rule, "Do not do unto others..."
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We rationalize that we don't yearn too much for anything we don't deserve. Greed has no place in our road to happiness and hospitality, Filipino-style. Why we even cover for each others faults for the boss we work for. Too loving in a misplaced way, we appreciate the little things that bind us as a people pakikisama and learn to desire for material things less as God is watching us.
Finally, the path of our happiness is not nitpicking. There are only 24 hours in a day and, for sure, there are better things to do than whine, complain and be bitter, because we have pa rin utang na loob sa Diyos.
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On the other hand, happiness is a matter of choice and the Filipinos simply have chosen to be happy.
To close, allow me to remind you of Max Ehrmanns "Desiderata," as he described the road to happiness best.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.
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And us? All in all, I agree with the survey that despite natural calamities that ravaged our country and the complaints of poverty and crime, we are a happy people who share when we fall and give as we rise. Especially when a compadre argues, "Pare, walanghiya talaga yan." The answer would be "Kalimutan mo na. Bahala ang Diyos." Again
We nurture strength of spirit to shield us from sudden misfortune. We try not to distress ourselves with dark imaginings. Beyond a wholesome discipline, we are gentle with ourselves and others.
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We achieve peace with God, and whatever our labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, we Pinoys keep peace with our souls, in spite of drudgery, and broken dreams, we find a beautiful world through cheer.
