Happiness is subjective and surely differs according to each individual, but each unique happy definition is definitely the one feeling that makes us all motivated to continue with our everyday lives. In a way, happiness is everyone’s fundamental goal in life – regardless of race, religion, gender, age, status, or occupation.
But just how happy are Malaysians? Despite the seemingly many “problems” we seem to be complaining about, turns out that we are a pretty happy bunch when compared to other developed Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea.
According to the World Happiness Report 2016 compiled by the United Nations (UN), Malaysia is the second happiest country in Asia, next to our close neighbour Singapore, which also makes us the 47th happiest country in the world out of 157 countries, rising 14 spots from the previous year. The updated version of this report will however be released on the same day this feature is published.
As today (March 20), is recognised by the UN as the International Day of Happiness, since 2013, We decided to pay homage to lovely folks who are happy leading their simple lives.
Happiness Is Just Me And My Guitar
Meor busking at his usual spot in KL Sentral.
If you happen to go to KL Sentral a lot, chances are you have seen a middle-aged man strumming his guitar in front of the KL Sentral KTM entrance.
The busker, 50-year-old Meor Yusof Aziddin, or commonly known by his stage name Meor, has been busking at the same spot in KL Sentral since the early days of the Kuala Lumpur’s transportation hub.
“I have been busking since 1985, right after the Central Market finished their renovations − that was my first busking place. After KL Sentral opened, I moved here to perform,” recounted Meor, who has been performing at the exact same spot with his trusty old acoustic guitar, portable amplifier, and standing microphone.
While a majority of his life is dedicated to making a living out of busking in public places, he did have the chance to write music for a recording label. To date, he already made seven albums and has even collaborated with the legendary M. Nasir, however he prefers to be an independent musician and not tied to any label.
“I like playing music in public, it makes me happy. When I first started, I did it just for fun. But after playing for so many years, I see busking as a responsibility. I feel like I am responsible to make my listeners happy,” he enlightened, while adding that perceptions about buskers have also evolved throughout the years.
Finding Happiness In Bookshops And At The Mosque
A Samad Said and his wife, Salmi Manja.
Datuk A. Samad Said, may be a prolific Malaysian literary icon and a national laureate who has contributed so much to Malaysian literature, but he has always lived a simple life – no car, no fancy clothes, just his beloved wife in arm wherever he goes.
At 82 years of age, he is still relatively healthy and enjoys reading at his home in Bangsar Utama with his family.
“I am a literature person, so it is natural that I like to read. Very often my wife and I would go to bookshops such as Kinokuniya to look for new books.
“Usually books are very expensive, but if a book catches my attention I would buy it,” said the Belimbing Dalam, Malaccan villager, who is often seen around Kuala Lumpur accompanied by his wife, Salmi Manja.
When asked about what else makes him happy in life, the Salina writer shared that he likes spending his time at the mosque.
“Six days in a week, I would spend time in the mosque nearby my house,” mentioned A.Samad, who is also known as Pak Samad to the younger generation.
Pak Samad begun writing poetry and novels in 1954, then worked in Utusan Malaysia, Berita Harian, among various publications. Over the years he grew to become one of the country’s most profound linguists as he wrote a lot of important works for the Malay literary heritage.
Teaching And Learning Makes This Grandmother Happy
Hajah Jariah Sualman.For Hajah Jariah Sualman, a grandmother who lives in Banting, Selangor, in order to stay happy in her golden years, she likes teaching people in her community.
“Of course, the number one thing that makes me happy is when I see my grandsons and their children as well.
“But when they are not home, I like to teach. I open my Quran classes to every woman in my community,” said Jariah, who used to make a living being an ustazah (religious teacher) in an Islamic school.
The elderly woman diligently conducts classes in her own home every weekdays, from Monday to Thursday at eight in the morning, and she does not charge people for it.
Post time 20-3-2017 10:46 AM
Meor busking at his usual spot in KL Sentral.
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