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What
makes us happy? attitude 'Sensitive
human beings with good moral behaviour' 'Able to do
things' juvenile
'The
sound of birds, not the noise of traffic' 'No
happiness without effort' 'Serving
humanity, what else?' 'Poor
children studying and smiling' 'My
job is done if my writings can cheer them up!'
While making editorial
comments, the wont is to sound judgemental. Thus a seemingly No such pretensions here. We want to see things as they are, among children, youth and professionals, from this class and that. We ask them about happiness and let them decide whatever they make of it -- contentment, joy, pleasure, elation, kick, high and so on. We ask ordinary people and we ask high achievers. We want to see whether there is a contrast. Well let me admit we want to see a contrast in their replies. And in some ways we do get the contrast. In others we don't. Because only some derive happiness from their work, others draw it from very simple, everyday things happening the way they would like them. The contrast part as we had wished it did not happen when some ordinary people came out with brilliant replies; for instance a rickshaw wala finding happiness in providing what he calls a decent life to his family, in being able to send his children to school. Another one finding it in the ecstatic response from his new-born. Yet another one honest to admit that he's the happiest person after his engagement. It's been a happy undertaking, doing this Special Report, especially knowing that people still want to feel happy and find ways of doing so. A lot of us anxiously wait for the occasion when we can take time out for vacationing and 'chill-axing'. But does that substitute for happiness? By Aziz Omar Happiness can be derived
from the most unconventional of sources. It can arise from Sherjeel is an associate in the billing department of a prominent cellular service provider. He derives happiness in the course of meticulously planning and executing the various tasks assigned to him. "Being recognised for my efforts and the results that I achieve gives me a great sense of pride and elation. In this regard, my greatest moment of joy materialised in my being given the 'Employee of the year' award within my department," Sherjeel recalls. He augments his job related high spiritedness with regular workout sessions. "The gratification that I get from an intense physical activity is instant and long-lasting. It motivates me to strive further in bettering myself in any endeavour I intend to undertake." A lot of us anxiously wait for the occasion when we can take time out from the mundane routines of life and spend it vacationing and 'chill-axing'. However, for many, especially the daily wage earner, setting a day aside for recreation every week or even every month can be quite a sacrifice. For Manzoor, who has been driving an auto-rickshaw for the past thirteen years, the source of happiness is the decent life that he is able to provide to his family. "Whenever I feel bogged down by the rigours I face in my line of work, I think of my children who I am able to send to school. My eldest son is in the 8th grade of an English medium school." Manzoor also feels exultation at the fact that soon he will be in a position to also send his daughters to school. "I feel that in this day and age, education for girls should be given a major priority. Hence, to make it possible, I can not even afford to take even a single day off as that would result in a Rs 500-600 loss in revenue," Manzoor states decisively. Even for Sohail, who has served in the driver's capacity for various local and multinational companies, happiness comes in the form of love of his progeny. "Whenever I come back home from work or right before I leave in the morning, I play with my newborn son who responds ecstatically." For the workaholics amongst us, having to spend any length of time being idle can be quite irritating. "In order to stay in a good mood, I need to be doing something constructive most of the time," claims Maliha who is a product manager in a commercial bank. "Of course, my mood is also considerably uplifted in the time that I spend with my friends dinning out, catching a movie in the cinema or going to a concert," she retorts when questioned about her leisure time. Happiness does come in small packages for many. For Agha Ali Akram, a postgraduate student of Environmental Sociology at Yale University, his recent travels as part of his study into the issues related to the availability of clean drinking water in the outskirts of Lahore are a case in point. His expeditions made him realise how certain things that one usually takes for granted can appear to bring great joy when one is deprived of them. "I used to go on foot for the major part of the day in the hot and humid weather besides availing an open air transport. Hence I started relishing the time that I spent while in an air-conditioned environment." Ali is into a number of physically demanding activities that he feels are essential for his emotional well-being. "I used to do a lot of mountain trekking while I was attending LUMS and now that I am in the US, I have also started scuba-diving." However, what has given him immense exhilaration lately is his engagement. Nabeel, a Research Associate in a micro-finance based institution, achieves a state of wellbeing when reading about various real life and fictional characters' experiences of overcoming trials and tribulations. "I develop an overwhelming sense of appreciation for the manner in which an individual or a group thereof alleviates itself from adverse circumstances such as repression and curbing of expression." Sana, his research assistant, finds amusement in playing practical jokes on her friends and colleagues. "It is not as if I push the other person to a limit of extreme confusion and embarrassment. It is all in good fun and deepens the bonds of friendship," she clarifies. According to Muhammad Maskeen Khan, an Admin. Manager in a food concern, happiness is quite relative that even for a single person, different moods and occasions may require different approaches to a jovial outlook. "A couple of years back, when I was fit enough, I used to play squash and swim regularly. However, at this age, health and happiness are synonymous for me and therefore I spend about half-an-hour in the gym daily doing cardiovascular exercises." He further points out that the natural high that one achieves while burning calories and fat as well as by engaging in a good discussion keeps one going strong. Happiness doesn't have to conform to any stereotypes such as vivid colours or softer hues, lilting melodies of music and hearty laughter. A macabre or gothic work can trigger awe and contentment in the ones with a darker tinge to their personality. Nevertheless, it is the uniqueness in the pursuit of happiness that various individuals undertake which makes it so elusive and priceless.
Mehar
Afroze "Every small thing
makes me happy -- one small bird saved, somebody throwing garbage in "You see, we exist in a situation where people have stopped shaking hands, students do not enter the classroom without permission, where one small second of selfishness has created huge monstrous problems. A civilised country is recognised by its moral values. "As for work, it does make you happy but I am irritated by small things. I feel that we have started taking things for granted. So, whenever I see a sensitive human being with good moral values, I'm elated. And these are the things that we as artists usually address in our work. As a matter of fact, when we filter things to see what constitutes our subject matter, one feels sad. But as artists we have to address the problems that confront us."
Dr K Head, Rehabilitation Department, Mayo Hospital "Things that make me
happy have kept changing over time. During my student life, seeing a proud "After marriage, it was for entirely different reasons that I would feel happy. Until then I had been trying to deal with a physical disability that I had developed by accident. I used to think that I would never be able to act like a normal husband and father. I was really happy, when I could do something for my children and wife that involved some kind of physical work, such as fetching them grocery or other everyday things such as driving all the way to Murree. "Today, when I find some handicapped person striving to move his limbs or something, it gives me a very pleasant feeling. I know that I will attain real happiness when I am able to find him some sort of work that can earn him economic independence. "Other things that make me happy include winter mornings, evenings with rains, and nights with full moon."
Play Station, gymming, Mcdonalds, designer wear and accessories, DVDs, sheesha, bestest of chocolates, concerts... children and youngsters count their happiest moments in a list that's endless By Usman Ghafoor For a celibate (like
myself!), on the wrong side of 30, to try and empathise with an
eight-year-old or Being the moody sort, I must confess I was friendly with my then eight years old nephew Haris in 'spurts' only, and there was little that I offered him in the name of fun and excursion except a brief ride-around in car when I needed to window-shop for something, a trip to park when it was my jogging time, and to Playplace every time I had a McBurger craving. Cartoon Network was another nuisance foisted upon us film-only freaks for the entire length of those 40 days. But, then, I wasn't short on ideas to put him off such awful bores as Captain Planet, Dragonball Z, and I R Weasel. It would take me just a mention of 'Ammi-Abbu' returning anytime soon or of Haris's class teacher inquiring about homework. And, I'd have my way. Interestingly, Haris has always been a topper in his class, and he is also a very smart kid with lots of friends at school. So, it was rather strange that the idea of vacations being over shouldn't excite him at all; nor the fact that his parents were coming back, although they are a doting twosome and had promised to bring him a whole load of gifts. It also surprised me, after they had arrived, that Haris had wanted to stay with us for another few days. This, despite my having been an anything-but-sweet uncle to him? I didn't realise it then. I do now. Children like Haris find the happiest moments generally away from class room and home -- a vacation at granny's, then, is heaven: free of any 'fear' or stress. Haris is 12 now, and even though going back to school after a month-long summer break still gives him and his friends goose pimples, they can always devise ways to keep them happy. For one thing, they make great playmates, during recess time and also in any after-school reunion of sorts. If it's not cricket or soccer, the young boys find 'bliss' in a game of PlayStation II or III. Mobile phones are also a handy source of gaming fun. Otherwise, a birthday pal's private room commonly turns into a space for an excited match of 'mock-wrestling' a la Undertaker or Betista -- their WWF idols. Haris's 15-year-old cousin, Hassan Khawaja is already experiencing the joys of growing up. His current favourite outdoor activity is 'pumping iron' at a gym, and it makes this rather chubby teenager admittedly very happy. "When I look into the mirror, I tell myself I'm getting there," he says, gushingly. Connected to this is Hassan's newfound love for trendy, designer wear and accessories, chiefly wrist bands and wrist watches. "Shopping gives me a high," he tells TNS. He is also ever ready to experiment with his hairdo. 'Counterstrike' is perhaps his only passion that has continued from his early school days. Otherwise, it's a whole new world out there waiting for him to explore! Imran Malik, an O-level student, says that he is always looking forward to "weekend movie nights that are great fun and joy. We (a bunch of school buddies) get together at a friend's place and play our favourite DVDs. We joke, we laugh, we smoke, we binge on popcorns, all night long. It's unbelievable." Hanging out with buddies is forever on the popular list of most urban youth -- and it is most likely that they will end up on Friday night at some trendy cafe lounge or a sheesha bar. Both Imran and Hassan say they are very fond of road trips. Hiking and skateboarding are the other interests they discovered in their early teens. Imran, for one, can't stop reeling from his school trip to Nathia Gali last month, "It was loaded with fun. I've never been so happy!" 22 years old Yasir, a recent Fine Arts graduate from Punjab University, was also "the happiest when our department folks took us on a ride to Head Baloki. We students went laughing, singing, and eating all the way. Every year, we would eagerly wait for such trips to happen." Marium Iqbal, 16, is more of a home bird. Her happiest day in recent times was "when I found that I'd got 9 straight A's in my O Levels." For LUMS student Anam Ashraf, it was her 21st birthday "when my pals got me the bestest of chocolates and stuffed toys. It made my day." Anam is also crazy about pets, "Whenever I am mad at the rest of the world, I turn to Nelly, my Persian cat, and she lifts my spirits like anything." Fatima Rizwan, 14, is more "into surprises". Besides, she says, "I feel very happy when somebody shares their feelings with me." Of course, shopping for clothes, hand bags and shoes is never out. The all-girl groups are also hooked on 'partying', trying every new eatery in town, and even attending a Noorie-, Atif-, or Ali Zafar-concert. Entering practical life has brought with it loads of challenges for Yasir, "Suddenly, I was thrown into a competitive world where I saw people pulling each other down. No one seemed very sincere. It was in stark contrast to the kind of culture we Fine Arts students had been exposed to." But, office job wasn't without its virtues and rewards, "The first time I delivered on the given deadline, and my boss praised my work, I felt as if I was on top of this world," he declares. Ayeda, 19, had a similar introduction to a media organisation where she got to intern. "It was part of our college's Masters programme, and me and my friends were really hoping it would turn out to be great. But, we were quite disillusioned, because no body seemed to take us seriously," she told TNS. "If it wasn't for the kind of research-based feature articles that I got to do there, I'd feel worthless."
"I am most happy when
a deserving person gets his rightful share, when people do not hurt others, "I make this demand from myself that whatever I do, I am able to do it in the best possible manner. If, for some reason, I can't, it keeps bothering me, consciously or unconsciously. "I feel happy when I see human beings leading a humane life, and I am sad when they don't live up to themselves. "I am most happy when people feel they owe something to their land."
'The sound of birds, not the noise of traffic' "I feel happy if I get
to read a good book; if it's a good novel, Subhan Allah! I am happy with all
the "As for writing, it is my life. If the writing process stops, I'll feel useless and unhappy. "When people, my friends, like a story that I write, I am happy. So it's these little things. When I see flowers blossom I am glad, when I see trees being cut I am sad. "But flowers, it seems, carry no significance. Only roads being widened do, even if it involves cutting of trees. "The generation I belong to was happy with Lahore's Mall Road as it was. As it widened, traffic problems compounded. Earlier, we could walk on the Mall and tongas plied as well and the atmosphere was pleasant. Now, the environment is smoky. "This is the new era. I am a man of old times. I don't like the noise of traffic. I like the sound of bird."
Nasira
Javed Iqbal "In order to achieve
happiness something needs to be done and it has to be done with a lot of "In this present day, people are more attuned to short cuts to achieve their desired goals. Whereas true happiness lies in the effort one makes to fulfil his dreams. "What really makes me happy is to see reward given to those who work hard and are making a lot of effort, rather than to those who take the easy path in life. In this regard, we can see those students who study all year round to get into medical colleges or those students who apply for jobs after attaining a particular degree whose future is blighted by those students who enter colleges or job places through contacts or by self-finance schemes. "Justice should be done to those who make an effort. No happiness is gained without effort."
'Serving humanity, what else?' Abdul
Sattar Edhi "All the work I do
makes me happy. I look after the orphans, I help the needy and the helpless,
and "I think if we stop killing each other and instead engage ourselves in serving the humanity, the entire world will become a bed of roses. "I am 85, and precisely 25 years older than Pakistan. I got involved in relief work when I worked at Cloth Market in Karachi after the creation of Pakistan where I was a witness to worst type of corruption, plunder, deceit and fraud. "I became involved in relief services to the down-trodden. Welfare activity not only provides solace to the victim but also lots of happiness to the person providing relief. It helps develop the personality. "There is no greater
happiness than serving the humanity, the entire human race. For me there is
no greater happiness than serving my own brothers. Happiness I feel resides
in everyone's heart; it only needs to be watered to blossom. And, again, I
would emphasise that serving the humanity makes me happy." 'Poor children studying and smiling' "I feel most happy
when I see children from poor classes reading a book or attempting to write "These children I'm talking about are at a workplace, and they deal with their customers and whenever find a second or two, start reading. "I think that just as the lawyers took out processions for justice, we ought to have taken out a series of processions and protest marches for universal education and health from the day Pakistan came into being. "I have for many years spent three years in NWFP, in areas like Malakand, Gilgit, Swat, and Gwadar. There I would meet children who could not even write their names. I would meet them the next year to find no change in their lives. Although they were such intelligent children that they would recall whatever I had said to them a year ago. "We haven't thought about these children. We talk about elections, high-rises, underpasses, roads, but not about education. And we won't, in Pakistan, because here people are minting money without education. "I have all my friends
among these children who sell flowers, newspapers, paans, and fix tyres. I
want to see a smile on their face and that's happiness for me." 'My job is done if my writings can cheer them up!' Dr Yunus
Butt "There was a time when my own personal achievement alone would fill me with joy. That is talking about my teenage years. As I grew old, I realised that real happiness didn't lie in one's personal victory, because that automatically involves the 'unhappiness' of the other person -- one who lost the game to you. "Real happiness, as I've learnt over time, lies only and only in making others happy. "Today, I feel truly blessed that my writings can bring a smile on the people's faces, and cheer them up. I feel my job is done."
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neutral or innocuous question 'What makes us happy?' might actually mean to
be a harsh critique of what crass consumerism has done to the people. They
drive a kick or a high from things and trends and convince themselves that
they're happy. 'When actually they are not', would be the tone/judgement of
such an editorial.
within certain occasions, states of behaviour and relationships when one is
least expecting it. Cultural and social norms have been psychologically
orientating the masses towards identifying themselves as euphoric only
according to certain common notions. Popular media are perpetually bombarding
us with images that reinforce the perception that jubilance can only be found
in a bottle of perfume, by donning designer wear or by acquiring the latest
must-have accessories. However, one may equally be elated by indulging in the
simpler things that life has to offer.
the trashbin, somebody showing good moral behaviour. Slowly and gradually,
our morals have deteriorated without us knowing about it. So, whenever I see
a young person acting sensitively towards his or her household, surrounding,
city or country, I am immensely happy.
glint in the eyes of my parents after I won a distinction in my class made me
feel really proud. Though, there are times when I feel I could've worked even
harder.
even somebody slightly above is no child's play. And, I would have failed
miserably at that, had I not had a fair chance to 'baby-sit' my sister's
'junior', while she was off on her Hajj pilgrimage. Gosh! It meant devoting
well over a month's time to the kid -- in this case, there were two of them,
though the younger one was almost an infant and, fortunately for me, landed
his grandmother's lap.
when people are willing to hear the truth about themselves. Who does not like
good weather, monsoon rain, mangoes, and baisni roti? But, true happiness is
that which brings a change within you, a change for the better and not a
short-lived pleasure. Hunger is satisfied and thirst quenched. These are
timely occupations.
things that may not carry meaning for our times, especially in Pakistan.
effort. People have no work to do, and are not interested in making any
effort. Whether it is something to do with the current political conditions,
an institution, a building, a hospital, a shop, or even a house.
give shelter to the homeless. It is an honour bestowed upon me by Allah that
the funds and millions of donations come to me through unknown sources
without asking people for help.
something. I feel guilty at the same time because I feel that it is our
failing that they do not go to school.
