— Martha Washington
The greatest aim of humankind is to achieve true happiness. In the developed First World, happiness usually revolves around some type of success.
Love = happiness
Money = happiness
Fame = happiness
Beauty = happiness
Power = happiness
Thousands, if not millions of dollars are spent each year, working to better our lives in mostly material ways, in order to obtain the end goal of ultimate nirvana: supreme happiness.
If we marry the most attractive and successful person, get that promotion, lose 10 pounds, buy our dream _________ (insert object), then we will finally be happy. Each of these ideas comes with the promise of obtaining something we don’t have, and how it will make life so much better.
Yet even after we’ve married Mr. or Mrs. Right, got that promotion, lost those pesky pounds and got the approval for the loan to purchase the dream house, car, yacht, etc, it’s never enough. As soon as a brand-new car is purchased, next year’s model is about to be released. As soon as the hottest, most up-to-date software program or mobile device is obtained, the next generation is launched. It’s a never-ending cycle of consumerism and indulgence. More. More. More.
But we have to have those things, because they/he/she/it will make us happy.
Caught in the web the genius minds behind advertising and marketing have so craftily woven for us, we put on blinders and cut ourselves off from this reality that there’s a whole, big world out there of people living happy and content with about 95% less stuff.
When most people think of Third World countries, words like pain, suffering, poverty, and corruption surface. While those accusations are true for many people living in developing countries, there is one assumption laced entirely with falsity.
Being poor does not mean you are miserably unhappy.
When a well is dug in a remote village in Uganda, giving the residents clean water for the first time in their lives, it provides not only the promise of a better future with less preventable deaths due to waterborne illnesses, but an overwhelming sense of joy, appreciation and bliss.
Why does providing clean water cause an entire village to dance and sing late into the night?
Because they appreciate it.
I’ve always considered myself a socially conscious individual, but living in Haiti has opened my eyes to a whole new way of thinking. A whole new way of living.
Every day, I see children running and playing on dirt roads. Many of them are unclothed and barefoot, using old Coke bottles and miscellaneous items — most likely taken from trash heaps — as toys.
To us, the privileged elite, we look at the naked and dirty children playing with items we consider rubbish, and pity them. We can’t help but feel ashamed, that these children have to wear clothes with holes and shoes two sizes too small. So of course, our solution is to get them things. If we bring them new clothes, Barbie dolls and Air Jordans, THEN these children will be happy!
The key factor we miss? These children are already happy.
When I walk down “these” roads and see “those” naked, dirty children playing, I am immediately greeted by gigantic smiles, followed by a trail of laughter. The adults are not much different. They smile and wave and never hesitate to give you a compliment. When invited into their home, you are given a seat, and possibly the only coconut, banana, avocado, or whatever gift they have to offer. Because you are their guest and you should feel welcomed.
Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, where an outrageous amount of children die from preventable illness and disease before reaching their fifth birthday. I by no means am trying to dim the light on an issue which most definitely needs to be exposed. These children should have opportunity to live a healthy life, attend school and pursue their dreams, breaking the cycle of poverty and hunger.
Yet despite their hardships, they have learned how to be happy.
I think the reason Haitians and so many of the countless individuals living in under similar circumstances have found happiness is because many understand what it truly means to be happy. They know that the fancy homes, cars, clothing etc., make your life easier and nicer, but those items are not the source of true joy. They have learned to rejoice in a soccer ball, a piece of candy, or a safe place to sleep. More importantly, they have learned to appreciate living to see double digits or when they have parents to care for them.
Happiness is state of being. And it surely does not come with a price tag.
Photo by Maria Atkinson.
