HAPPINESS...... A STATE OF MIND

HAPPINESS IS A STATE OF MIND!

This morning while waiting for my son to come out from a special class for the bridging program, walking to Mini-Stop, I passed by a security guard, perhaps in his late 50s. I did not know him as he was not a Saint Jude Guard. Although unknown to each other we smiled as we crossed paths, and he said..."You look young sir!" So I was surprised....I was actually flattered, but I approached him to correct what  I perceived was a mistake. I said,..."Pare, sa totoo lang mukha akong matanda para sa edad ko, 46 lang ako, pero mukha na yata akong 50 mahigit." (Friend, actually I look old for my age, I am only 46, but I look like a man in his 50s). He answers..."Bakit naman ganun ang iniisip niyo Sir?" (Why think this way sir?)....and I said..."Maraming problema kaibigan, pinatanda ako ng problema at stress, marami na ring sakit sa katawan." (So many problems my friend...I have aged,  brought about by problems and stress, I suffer from a lot of body pains.)...This was his wise answer...."Sir, kasama natin sa paglalakbay ng buhay ang problema, okay naman po kayo!" (Sir, problems will always be a part of  life's journeys...you're okay sir!)  I tapped him on the shoulder and whispered..."Matalino kang tao!" (You're one smart guy!). Then I left for Mini-Stop.

On my way back to my car, I saw him preparing his lunch, from a plastic cellophane into a plastic plate, and upon seeing me again...He says, "Sir, kain tayo!" (Sir, let's eat!).  He then proceeds to eat happily in the scorching eat....He is happy as he is courteous...proof that money is not a prerequisite to happiness and right conduct.

Then I look at my life and wonder why this man seems happier than I am.....Is it because he's ignorant, or is it because I'm stupid?

My eldest child Nikki or Nicole frequently gives me a back or nape rub and a hug when she knows I'm so stressed. Her teacher once made this comment on her card, "Her actions and her manners manifest a lady who was brought up right." I actually teared-up when I read that. Niccolo will always stand by me...as proven by a time when my brother, in a drunken stupor kicked me...Niccolo jumped in front of me, ready to pounce on him...we were able to stop him on time. Whenever I am at work both these guys send me messages reminding me of their love and asking to come home early. Lizzie my youngest, always cuddles and reminds me, that I will always be her "greatest love"....and my wife and my best friend, Dinah....is always willing to play second fiddle, although she is my source of strength. She too always text me to take care and wishes me God bless and says she loves me. Amidst the stress, I just have the sweetest family!

So is the guard just ignorant or am I stupid???...I am definitely stupid and ignorant of what true happiness should be all about.

Despite the bitter economy, I'm still working and able to put food on the table, and together with my parents , my brother, and my wife and kids, we still eat, at least, 4x a day.....My kids are studying in, what I "arguably" refer to as, the best primary and secondary school in the land.....right now, we are all healthy....we go out occasionally, to the movies, to museums, to book stores, to malls, to churches...to other places...My kids seem happy!

I guess I'm not happy because I wish I could give them more....more expensive gadgets....trips to far away places....I just want them to be happy....then I remember something my Nicole once told me, when she saw me sad and contemplating on things I couldn't give them....she said, "I really don't care about those things...we're together, we're happy."  Such wisdom for someone so young!

I look at my kids...Nicole is happy staying in her room sketching and reading....Niccolo is happy playing as a rookie in the school varsity basketball team and also reading ...and Lizzie is happiest when I read to her and when everyone cuddles up to her and plays with her....and my wife is happy when all our kids are happy. At night, individually or together, we pray and renew our faith and belief in a living and loving GODS who will always provide.....every morning, before we leave, mu kids remind me to bless them......this is my life...it isn't perfect...but when everyone is happy...I can only be the happiest.


As I've said before....Happiness for me is seeing my loved ones happy.

Today I learned a very important lesson from a new friend....that wise and courteous and happy security guard....he reminded me that "happiness is a state of mind."