How is happiness defined? Is it defined by the amount of money you have? Your social standing? Your success? The people around you? Read along with me as we delve into this state of mind that so many people strive for every day.
Several times I’ve had the opportunity to travel the Caribbean island of Haiti, often dubbed the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Getting off the plane in 90 degree heat, riding through the bustling, trash and rubble laden capital intoxicated by the diesel fumes and pollution, I came to understand why Haiti is labeled as the poorest country in the western hemisphere.
Many of the people live in tents, shacks, or small concrete “closets” and survive on only a few dollars a day. Hundreds of thousands of kids have only the clothes on their back. The same amount of kids are orphans. Yet, these are very unique people. Despite living in such poverty, the people seem satisfied with life. They have their family and friends and most of the necessities of life, so they don’t need any more than that. They are content with their situation. I haven’t ever seen a single Haitian that didn’t smile or wave when I looked at them. Playing soccer with the street kids brought them a joy I have never seen in America. I can still picture the smiles on the kids’ faces.
On the flip side, though there are indeed Americans living in poverty and poor conditions, as a whole, we are immensely rich compared to the people of Haiti. Just about every American owns a vehicle of some sort, basically all Americans own an iPhone, all Americans can receive a free elementary and high school education, and we have access to clean water just about anywhere we go.
Yet, beneath a surface expression of a smile, many Americans are unhappy. We have exponentially more than we could ever need. So why are we never content with what we have? Our mentality is “more, more, more.” How could a people who have 20x less than us be happier than us? The answer lies in where we find our contentment. The Haitians find happiness because they don’t place all their contentment into gaining more money or gaining more social status. They simply live day by day without stressing about the little things.
All that to say, happiness is often defined by where we find our contentment. Are we discontent because we had to get the $100 jacket instead of the $200 jacket? Are we discontent because our friend has more money than us? We cannot allow ourselves to place all our hope and joy into vain things, for we will never be happy with that mindset. We must begin to appreciate the things in life we already have. Be grateful for your friends and family, be grateful you have access to clean drinking water no matter where you go, be grateful you don’t have to live on only a few dollars a day.
This past week has been a huge eye opener for me and has taught me to be more content no matter the circumstance. Next time before you fuss about something you don’t have, realize there are billions of people with much less than you. Let’s be content with what we do have and keep that mindset, and who knows — maybe we will become happier people.
