Wongster's World

About our baby. Yes, we welcomed a new one into the world in February. She is called, Amerie (inspired by the French movie: Amelie), and she popped out in a super-speedy record time of just over 4 hours. Her name in Latin means ‘love’ – probably from amore; in Japanese it means ‘heavenly love country’.

What can I say about a first baby? I remember watching a TV program recently and noticed someone saying that, “it does not really change anything...” Well, I was very surprised to hear that. She has only been in this world for a month and already she has had a major impact on everyone connected with us (even more amazing is that she cannot even utter a single word to create this impact). Mostly, I think, it is to do with her ‘presence’ and those little cute expressions that you get, unexpectedly. She has changed me into a father; she has changed my wife into a mother; she has changed both sets of our parents into grandparents; and she has changed our brothers and sisters into scores of aunties and uncles. And each one of them feels so much delight and happiness when just holding her in their arms.

I think babies remind us of something we all once had: purity, innocence and wonder. Many of us lose these qualities as we become immersed into life, especially if we are city dwellers. Could babies be messengers to reinvigorate us back to the beauty, power and passion of youth? I see it especially when our older relatives hold her – their eyes sparkle and their mannerisms suddenly become soft and graceful – if just only for a few moments.

I would like to support Amerie in the best way that I can so that she will become someone who is capable of loving others and bringing much happiness into the world. I hope that the amount of love and special attention (plus lots of gifts!) she is currently being showered with will become a fertile foundation to a positive future for her, and that she never loses those wonderful qualities she currently has – qualities, which most of us, unfortunately, lose during our own lifetime.

First babies are reminders of the happiness we all once knew...

Why do humans sleep on average of one-third of their lifetime, or the equivalent of 20-25 years!? It is still a profound mystery why we sleep and dream so much, and I don’t think scientists or psychologists have even scratched the surface of what it means let alone how to properly explore it.

What is obvious is that it is fundamental to our health and sense of well-being. The ability to heal ourselves and regenerate cells double or even triple in speed when we are sleeping is extraordinary. And the surreal and sometimes fantastical journeys we get to experience, if we can remember them, can add an extra dimension to our lives.

Sleep can soothe our aches and pains from the hustle ‘n’ bustle of modern day living. It can guide us back to the world to be welcomed by the warm morning rays -- revitalized and ready for a fresh day.

A good night’s sleep is my royal pit-stop for happiness

I was traveling to central Tokyo the other day to visit my wife who is staying in hospital because she just gave birth to our baby daughter (she will, no doubt, be my muse for a multitude of blogs in the future) and stopped off at a delicious bakery, Andersen, to buy her a special treat to add to her lunch (of course, it had to be something ‘sweet’).

In the entrance of the bakery I was charmed to find the most exquisitely made and baked pieces of sweet-bread I had ever seen: rows of children’s shoes sprinkled with almonds with straps, coloured candy for buttons and filled with honey-syrup (see photos). When I arrived at the hospital and gave a pair to my wife to eat she was delighted -- a warm smile gently sparkled on her face.

‘Searching for Happiness’

The more I think about this phrase the stranger it sounds. I mean, ‘searching’ like ‘finding’ or ‘discovering’ are statements meaning that the object of one’s desire (in this case: happiness) is actually outside of oneself (and needs to be gained).

If those of you who are on a journey in ‘Searching for Happiness’ but are still ‘searching’ and are frustrated, I think I may have the answer.

I believe that the phrase should be replaced by the more accurate:

‘Creating the Happiness’

I have been contemplating it for the last few days: whether to start a blog or not, if I have time to actually maintain it, what should the theme be and if I am only just adding to more junk to the virtual world?

But, come to think about this thing called ‘junk’, what I really mean are the things we see, read, hear, experience and absorb that has a detrimental effect on our sense of well-being. Information bred in the world that brings us down, closes us up, restricts our vitality and inner-freedom, or suppresses our ability to be inspired.

So, maybe it is a worthwhile pursuit for me to contribute in re-addressing the balance in my own small way -- to create a ‘serene virtual space’ that is free from negativity (or ‘junk’) but filled with something more positive from the life of a simple citizen in this world. Hence the title of my space: This thing called ‘Happiness’

Let me begin with the inspiration that sparked the theme of this blog. It came from a smile of a stranger I have never seen, heard or even know by name. You see, I posted some words on another website about my thoughts and feelings on the question of ‘What is happiness?’ and I was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from this stranger explaining that it brought a smile to her face (or maybe it was a he?).

Here is what I wrote:

So here is the beginning of my journey upon my daily ‘blogs’ of reflections, trials and celebrations (instead of tribulations) towards, around, under, over and any other way to be immersed into this thing called ‘Happiness’. If any one of my blogs brings forth another smile upon a stranger’s face (which, unfortunately, I will never get to see -- or maybe even realise) then I feel my time and efforts to maintain my endeavor will have been wholeheartedly worth it. It can also serve as a personal record of the positive memories of my life -- a kind of ‘History of Happiness’ reminding me of the glowing wonder and magic that life can sometimes be.