Are You Happy?

A few days ago, I came across to an Instagram story. It is about a guy who asks a quick question to random persons.

As he was walking along the street, he saw an old man walking. He seems to have a difficulty in walking but he can still manage himself.

He asks the old man, "Hi! Can I ask you a quick question? Would that be fine?". The old man seems a bit grumpy as to how he looks but he answers back, "Sure. Not a problem".

"Are you happy?". The guy asks.

The old man pauses and said, "Yes, I am".

"Why?" The guy asks a follow-up question.

"Because I'm here today. I'm alive". The old man replies without having second thoughts.

The guy replies, "If there's one thing you want to tell the entire world, what would it be?".

"Calm down and celebrate life". The old man replies.

When I saw this video, I was moved by the old man's answers. To think, his answers were very simple but sincere. Then again, one can not appreciate life or what he has if he is full of hatred and insecurities to himself.

"I'm here today. I'm alive".

This statement hit me so hard. Before, I was too focused on everyone's opinions. I was busy keeping up with their standards making me to lose my passion and do things that I love to do.

Before, I did not realize how valuable my life is. I became too abusive of my health. My intentions were pure though and that is to help my family. For the record, my family did not oblige me to do it. They were very supportive in every way they can. I volunteered.

My intentions were pure

My definition of happiness is to make my family happy. For them to be happy, I have to give back the sacrifices they made for me. For sending me to school, for raising me as a God-fearing person, to become a good person as a whole.

Honestly, it is never an obligation for the children to give back what their parents have done for them. The children owe nothing to their parents. However, with pure intentions, they will do their best to help the family.

I went overboard

I worked hard so I can sustain the financial needs of the family. I was able to do so though, I helped with the construction of our house gate, purchase everything my family wants in every way I can.

When I was doing all these things, I realized that I was no longer happy. The lifestyle became toxic and my health was put at risk. I had to go home and recover.

From then on, I treated myself as a failure. I was too negative to not look at the achievements I have become. I was busy looking at other people's lanes when supposedly I should be focusing on mine.

I was full of jealousy and insecurities and to make the story short, it consumed me.

I was eaten by my pride, I become too selfish, I thought I was alone fighting for my battles.

Then a life-changing situation happened to me that reversed all my perceptions about life.

When God gave me this another chance, I must say that I have changed. In a way that I learned to become more appreciative of the things I have, every single thing and every little thing I do.

My realizations

Life is precious.

Let's celebrate life. With what we have right now, we should be thankful to everything. May it be good or bad, everything happens for a reason. Many people are fighting for their lives so we should not waste the opportunity life is giving us.

Be patient.

Patience. That is gold for me. In fact, I am still struggling with it. When things don't occur as to how I want it to be, I lose focus and give up. However, with what happened to me, I have learned to let go and let God.

Love yourself.

My dear friend, don't be too hard on yourself. Life is not a competition or a race. Everyone of us is dealing with difficult circumstances but don't compare your chapter 1 to someone's chapter 23. There's a story behind it. Remember, God gives the toughest battles to his strongest warriors.

Last but not the least,

Jealousy is a thief of happiness.

True enough, jealousy consumed me. I always thought why am I like this? My classmates were all successful with their careers and here I am embarrassingly looking at them by far feeling so little.

I have learned to focus on myself and not get distracted with how people are doing around me. I may still be but at least I have learned to go back to my senses and refocus.

I hope that I was able to point out the message here. It is a random article but I intend to motivate you with how things should matter amidst the circumstances you are facing.

If you have reached to this point reading, I'll ask you once again.

Are you happy?

Thanks for reading!

Keep safe everyone. ❤