NAGKASUNDONG ilahad na lang muli ang mga nagawa na nila—hindi na kailangan pang bumalibag ng argumento’t makipagpingkian ng laway at lalamunan. Binabaeng manok lang kasi ang maghapong puputak, puputak pero kahit sariling bugok na itlog, walang maitaktak.
When someone tries to cut your line, all it takes is see again how long your line have been drawn—kumislap ang mata ng katoto nang banggitin kung paanong nilansag ng kanilang bupete ang monopolyo sa industriya ng telekomunikasyon… na naging dahilan upang sumigla ang kompetisyon… na nauwi sa mas maraming nabuksang trabaho para mabawasan hanay ng mga nagbibilang ng poste.
Ganoon ang ginawa noon, ganoon pa rin ang magagawa ngayon—hindi na kailangang subukan ni ungkatin ang track record o isalang pa sa performance auditing. Such past deeds define character— and past feats and misdeeds have a way of catching up on the present, providing ample jolts of happiness… or floods of regret.
No, money doesn’t buy you happiness… may mga kakilala na limpak-limpak ang tinatabo… and find themselves comfortably miserable with glass of cognac and a spread of truffles, pâté, caviar, and creaky joints wracked with arthritis and uric acid… we share stretches of laughter and rowdy, bawdy camaraderie doused in pale pilsen and cheap tapang kabayo.
So Dennis, what about possessions? Or, Emily, oops, family?
“Actually happiness comes in large measure from past personal achievement according to researchers at The University of Iowa who have identified key predictors of happiness among the oldest old (those ages 85 years and older).
“In a study of 158 Georgia centenarians, scientists analyzed the subjects' responses to a series of questions that assessed their happiness, perceived health, social provisions, economic security and life satisfaction.
“While there was no indication that resources affect happiness, past life satisfaction -- even individual achievements -- was found to have a direct association. Past satisfaction with life -- even if something as simple as recalling isolated career accomplishments – was a major key to happiness in our oldest years.
“To repeat: the researchers concluded that: ‘Past satisfaction with life is directly associated with present happiness.’"
Uh, some of my comrades in arms thought that a few millions stashed and stacked would make them happy and secure—so they gambled away life and limb, and there was hell to pay. We’re not saying economic security won’t count but it is access to resources that will matter as to “subjective perceptions of reality and security issues.”
But we don’t have to be filthy rich or have tons of money for that feeling of security.
So where do we secure security?
It is gained within; it is called peace of mind.
“It's also called having acceptance and having had a purpose in your life and having found meaning.”
All told, “it’s your actual perception of your life that enhances the quality of your life,” especially among those who live exceptionally long—and meaningful—lives that we aspire to.
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