-A few years ago, my family and I travelled to the beautiful island of Lombok in Indonesia. One day, stopping at a random, postcard-perfect beach (Lombok is littered with them) I found myself in conversation with a middle-aged man resting on a bamboo platform under the shade of some coconut palms. As a younger man, he had gone to Jakarta to make his fortune, but returned to Lombok a short time later, recognizing that the pursuit of wealth wasn’t the promised road to happiness he had imagined. Instead he returned home to spend his mornings fishing, catching enough to eat, plus a little extra that could be traded with his neighbours for the other required staples, or sold for some fun money. His afternoons were spent resting on his platform, enjoying the sea breeze, with evenings set aside for family and friends. He was quite possibly the most content person I have ever met.
I have had the good fortune to travel fairly extensively and sojourn for lengthy times in different cultures. I’ve spent time with those who possess extraordinary wealth and others who by any standard are living in abject material poverty. I’ve been struck repeatedly with the realization that, in spite of what North American culture preaches loudly from every screen and billboard, happiness has nothing to do with possessions. Instead I am convinced that there are 3 keys – Gratitude, Contentment and Generosity.
Happy people are grateful – grateful for family, friends, work, rest and whatever possessions they might find themselves with at any given moment; volume is irrelevant.
Which leads to contentment. Happy people are satisfied. They are comfortable with a little; they are comfortable with a lot. They don’t seem to get too concerned either way. They have learned that they aren’t defined by their circumstances or possessions – they don’t need anything. Not that they don’t appreciate or like stuff. They just don’t need it to be happy.
Finally, happy people are generous. The is probably the greatest lesson I’ve learned. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been invited into what can only be described as a shack and offered refreshments when it’s clear it’s a sacrifice to the host. These acts of extravagant hospitality and expressions of lavish generosity have been humbling and have taught me a great truth. As I reflect back on my own experiences I have come to understand that my happiest times are when I am living open-handed. Being generous with my time, energy, talents, praise and possessions produces wealth that extends far beyond what I could possibly have imagined. Interestingly, I’ve never not had everything I need even when I’ve given out of my need. Take from that what you will but there is another truth in there if you’re prepared to dig into it.
So with Christmas right around the corner, the challenge I want to present is to practice gratitude, contentment and generosity this season. Have a great Christmas.
Cheers,
Tris
