Why are you happy?

If you were asked the question above, what’s the first thing you would say?

My son was not one to pass up a chance to write on a message board located at the lobby of The Medical City, with the iconic yellow smiley on top together with the phrase: “I am happy because…” It invites passersby to share and write why they are happy.

I think the message board (not sure what to call it) creates a positive energy in a hospital setting. The initiative is led by the hospital’s Psychiatry Department as I have so intelligently guessed from the logo. Haha! I will not venture into the background or the details, I just wanted to share some of the answers that some hospital staff, doctors/interns, patients and visitors gave, starting with my own son’s heartwarming answer:

I am happy because:

Topmost answer: ...my mom  really loves me.

Cheesy:

1. someone loves me for who I am.
2. I finally met my special someone after 27 years.
3. I saw him.
4. I’m in love.
5. I’m free.
6. I got chocolates from Bry.

God-centered:

1. God gave me my baby.
2. I’m alive.
3. I’m blessed.
4. God is always taking care of me.
5. I have God.
6. everyday Jesus loves me.
7. I am saved and loved by God.

Basic:

1. of coffee.
2. it’s lunch time.
3. I am busog. Hehe!
4. today is a good day.
5. I just had a massage yesterday.

Family/Christmas:

1. I had twins.
2. I have a strong dad.
3. I’m with my family.
4. I get to spend Christmas and New Year’s with my family this year.
5. it’s Christmas time.
6. I’ll be home for Christmas.
7. the year is almost done and I have so many blessings to be thankful for.

Self:

1. I am being me.
2. I am where I want to be.
3. I am healthy.
4. I am a Filipino.
5. tapos na sa residency.
6. I am done with OB.
7. of a fruitful internship year.

Super Typhoon Yolanda: ...many are helping the Yolanda victims.

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Positive questions promote positive thoughts. I loved the idea of this "I am happy because..." thingy. It's at once thought-provocating and a subtle "jerker" to remind that, hey, there are far many reasons we ought to be feeling happy instead of gloomy.  

If asked why I am happy, my ready answer could all be found in this picture:

How about you? Please make me happier by sharing in comments why you are happy at this very moment. I'd love to hear from you. This is my first attempt to engage my handful of readers in a conversation. Hope you would be kind and happy to oblige. I only ask from you two words at the least to complete "I am happy because ___________."  :-)

The Bank of Happiness

Imagine a bank of happiness.  Cool, right? Would you not be interested in it? I was. And so with much interest, I clicked on the article on Time Mobile, and read on.

It’s not something in the clouds. It isn’t an abstract idea excerpted from personality/psych books. Such a bank does exist in Estonia, a country in Northern Europe with a population of only 1.2 million. To me, Estonia only rings a bell because I watch Miss Universe, and I recall one candidate would shout out to the crowd introducing herself as Ms Estonia! Now, I know more about this post-Soviet state, because the article so piqued my interest, I had to look up Estonia on Factbook.

This benevolent bank trades good deeds online. One can open an account and either post an offering or make a request. There are more who offer services than ask. Services can be tutoring a person on foreign language or teaching yoga via Skype. The article further describes the bank, “The bank’s unit of currency is called the “Star of Gratitude,” equivalent to a big hug, a box of chocolates or with gratitude coming from the heart.”

This idea reminds me of another article (also on Time) which talks about paying for 2 when eating at a restaurant, and someone can avail of that paid meal at no cost. It’s similar to the “pay-it-forward” concept.

Often, guilt strikes when beggars (especially children) approach knocking on the car window, or whenever we would eat out after attending church in the Quiapo area, and we would see poor people who have made the streets their home, filthy, and obviously with almost nothing but a cart filled with scraps.  While charity starts at home, scenes like this kind of tug at the heart and serve to remind of the blessings I have, and that somehow I should find a way to “pay it forward.” Not that I have money to give. I don’t. But in other ways may be.