HappYness can be made up.

Of course happiness can be made up!

My friend, Boon Lee once taught me that the secret to happiness is POSITIVE THINKING. Waking up each morning, and telling yourself :

‘I am happy because I am alive’…

' I am happy because I am not late for class today'...

'I am happy because i have good friends'...

'I am happy because I am not sick today'....

then repeatedly use the words: ‘I am happy because… (fill in the blanks)….’ -throughout the day.

And I would respond to Boon Lee by saying : ‘I am happy because Boon Lee is going to give me RM100, like now’ with my palm held out to her. Hehe... Which she would then give me the you-don't-get-it look.

You are just deceiving yourself, Boon Lee. You cannot be happy all the time. No one can be THAT happy. It is pathological, to be that happy.

Although there was something similar written all over Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret. ASK-BELIEVE-RECEIVE.


Fact: Do you know that when you force a smile, it sends neurotransmitter to the brain to release ‘happy’ hormones (endorphins) ?

More facts: Other known endorphines releasing triggers: Chocolates, banana, hot chocolates, cozy blankets, a warm hug, innocent smiles of children.



Question: Why are some people happier than others? Even though they share similar lives, if not better? How is quality of life measured?

Answer: The secret to happiness, I personally think, is contentment. Positive thinking. And perhaps, even deception. Yes, be contented with the life you have, and to appreciate every moment of it, every person in it. Think positive. When given a lemon, try squeezing a smile out of it. Things may not appear that bad, there's always a silver lining... or rather, thinking the other way round, things could have been worse, but luckily, it wasn’t. Lastly, deception, the highest level of happiness – to make yourself happy, and believe so strongly that you are happy.

At this point, I needed that deception, however transient it may last.