Every year, we organize a project entitled, “Knowing Our Own Roots” and this year the theme was on “Happiness”. I was able to join in one full day on Saturday when we invited two speakers. One is Prof. Mingsarn Kaosa-ard, and the other is Khun Joan Jandai. Both are on the different extreme of life. The former is successful in the career track in the modern world while the latter turns away from the regular track of life.
Ajarn Mingsarn was one of the smartest kids in the country who tended to get the first rank in almost everything she did. When she fell to the second rank of the National Standard Exam (grade 12), it changed her life. She talked about the huge expectations on her by her own self and more so, by those around her. She felt that particular situation taught her how she brought up her kids, aiming to make them happy with the least expectations imposed on them….for sure, much less pressure on the kids, what some of our Fulbright grantees are going through.
She said happiness was different in each stage of life and for her, she plans to work less (still a lot around 8 hours a day but less when comparing with her earlier 15 hours ka!), watch more of the soap opera, and have peaceful time for herself. Her advice is to know oneself and to seek balance in life.
Khun Joan has a different approach to enjoy the delight of life. He started having lots of questions why he couldn’t get rich working in Bangkok. The small amount of his salary had to be spent on buying stuff from large companies since he woke up….from buying toothpaste to food…sure mentioned the companies that we all know well! He tried to be ‘like’ others by saving up to buy a pair of expensive brand jeans, which turned out to mean nothing but make him starved for that purpose. He said all the brand name goods should pay people for making their brands popular ka! He then went back home to grow rice and vegetables while helping build clay houses. He was highly successful with a simpler and happier life.
He stressed that learning in class didn’t help him much at all as he has no need to use math formula. An example he raised was ‘square root’ and how often we have to use it in our life! It was such a waste of time in his view ka. I thought of Osho loei ka!
As usual in our tradition, we asked all the grantees to reflect on the activities (including potluck with the alumni the previous evening). It showed how inspired they were and how much they have learned that “Happiness is all around.” There’s no need to just try too hard to get it. Simply look around to appreciate what we have, how we have felt so happy because of others and how we can make others around us feel happy too. The two extreme sides are our intention to show the choice in life and in whichever way, happiness is the reward ka.
One kid was so inspired that she wrote about the experience on her facebook with very nice sharing of the overall impression. Another told me he didn’t realize how much he could get from this gathering, saying that he came because it seemed like something he should do.
In our way of working, we don’t have any formal system of evaluation with any type of questionnaire. We listen and observe how our efforts play a part to contribute to our grantees’ thinking, and growth plus their desire to share with others who have much less opportunity ka.
I’m very happy to see them happy and inspired ka.
Happy Monday ka.
porntip
Mon 1/20/2014 7:53 AM
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น