Friday, September 05, 2008 Are you happy? By Rene Lizada Papa's Table
"WHOEVER is happy will make others happy too."
Ann Frank said that in her diary. And it is astounding that a young girl who was a prisoner, who was hunted, could be able to say such things in the face of inhumanity and cruelty.
And yet Anne Frank was an extraordinary person. Unlike most of us she was able to see through the haze. She could see clearly what most of us can barely comprehend.
It is an old Latin axiom really. Translated into English it simply means, you cannot give what you do not have. If there is no happiness in your life one cannot expect you to share it. If you have no compassion one cannot really hope that from you. Conversely it is what you have that you can share.
If you are happy then happiness will be of second nature to you. If you are miserable the only thing you can share is misery. It is that simple.
There are people in our lives that we want to be with. There are those whom when we meet them they seem to have the gift of happiness. No matter what how low or depressed we can be, when we meet them or talk to them, they seem to lift us, make us feel better. There are even those who inspire us, who make us better persons. They are like light in the night.
When you see them, there is a glow in them, a spring in their walking, an inner strength that cannot be kept. There are people who really bring out the best in us. In my articles on the Light of People I mentioned persons who have helped me become better because of their positive impact on my life. There are others too who have made me better.
Angie and Myra come into mind.
They are two of my favorite people. Myra and Angie I met when we were still at the Ateneo High School. I used to spend a lot of time in their offices where we shared stupid stories and corny jokes. (mga guidance counselors yan ha!) We ate a lot, a habit that we still do at least once a year now because we have gone separate ways.
Angie is now a Human Resource Director, Myra is still with Ateneo. But we keep in touch. Behind the stupid and corny jokes that we tell each other, beyond the "kanshaw" is a friendship. They have helped me become better because of who they are. When we meet and talk and eat, there is happiness because Angie and Myra are actually happy people. They cannot help it.
My Toastmasters friends on the other hand are those persons who care deeply for their fellow members not only in speaking but also in their development as persons. We genuinely care and that is something that cannot be faked.
Someone who is insincere can be spotted ten miles away. Either you are sincere or insincere, that is all. There is no gray area. And that is why in my club of Noontime we are all friends because we carry each other, we help each other through the sometimes uncomfortable experience of speaking in public. But more than that we carry each other through each other's challenges and trials. We care and it shows because it is genuine. Tutoo.
If you are happy it will show. If you care it will show. And it will radiate because true happiness and real concern cannot be contained. But that is also true with vindictiveness and cruelty. People who are cruel and vindictive have cruelty and revenge in their hearts. What you are will be how you will treat others. What you do and how you are reflections of whatever is inside you. And that is something you can never hide, no matter what you say or do.
How you treat the world is the way you treat yourself. How you deal with people is how you deal with yourself. Your outer world is a mere reflection of your inner self. Is it shadowy or bright? Is it pleasant or wretched? Is it meaningful or hopeless?
