One time, in one of my Simbang Gabi sermons, I was asking my parishioners whether they were happier at the present time or in the past. They seemed undecided at first until I tried to enumerate some realities. For fishermen, I asked, “Do you think that you were more bountiful when you threw your nets before than today? To which they replied, “Kanudaya (before) po Father, lulusong ka lang sa dagat ay marami na pong huli. Pero dadi (now) po nakakaabot na kami sa Reed Bank, pero ang hirap pa rin po ng isda.” For those who till the land, “Do you think the soil is more fertile today than before?” They proclaimed, “Noon po, Father, wala man si El Niño at si La Niña.” But I also said that we have cellphones now; are we not happier when before we could hardly reach each other? Said they, “Pero dahil po sa mga text at mga chat ay maraming nag-aaway at naghihiwalay pa nga po.” Then quite reluctantly, they admitted, “Mukhang mas masaya po ang buhay noon.”
This is unfortunate since pundits and their cohorts have been claiming and talking about progress, development, and making lives better as generations go by. Such a claim could just be on paper yet or has not really trickled down to many, especially to those who are in need of most of the fortunes of such advancement. Perhaps that life-has-become-better thing could just be true only for the few who themselves have been having the best of life. Reality does bite—the poor continuously become poorer while the rich are unremittingly raking in much more.
Another unfortunate situation could be found in the human disposition when people have resigned themselves to the fact that the most was rather more advantageous to them than what they have, or have not, at the present. As has always been said, “The longer you live in the past, the less future you have to enjoy.” In other words, be not buried in the past but just bury the past instead and move on. Otherwise, of what use is the present? Be reminded of Lao Tzu: “If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.”
Coincidentally, the SWS (Social Weather Stations) has released their survey about being happy this Christmas. What they found out was not unlike what we abovementioned. Filipinos were happier (expectant) in 2023 than in 2024. Last year also, 73 percent of Filipinos expressed optimism, compared to only 65 percent at present. Mahar Mahangas mentioned that when they started the survey 22 years ago in 2002, it was at 82 percent. With the findings, would you still look forward to the next survey? Could the situation still improve and become more positive? Or, will it just be uninterrupted bleakness? Bright or bleak? Bleak or bright?
But how could we really be happy? Perhaps the better question could be, “How can we become increasingly happy instead of continuously becoming less happy?” Or yet the best question is, “How can one be truly happy?”
The first step towards true happiness could simply be inside you. It begins with the self. As the Gen Z among us would say—mindset. Have the mindset that you are not the unhappiest person around. This is not about looking down on others, though; it is just what it really is. By the mere fact that you could still read this piece is proof enough that you are way better than those who could not read and those who cannot afford connection to the internet. And that you still manage to inhale and to exhale should be the fundamental reason to become yet happy and to be thankful for it. As a matter of consequence, you too could just be in a better position to help others to become happy. Again, as the Gen Z would exclaim, “Matic na yan.” There are more people needier than you are; give something then. You are healthier and stronger than many others; serve those who are weak then. You could be more learned than the rest since you could actually read and comprehend this literature (albeit simple), share your thoughts, and be able to instruct others then. The list here could go limitless, but if there is one thing—you are not the unhappiest, and therefore you also have the capacity to make others happy.
And if you still have remained unconvinced and still feel unhappy, possibly, though, you could not be alone. There are those who also find it hard to make ends meet. There are many among us as well who are grappling with how to deal with all the doubts and hurts that 2024 has brought them. Likewise, there are people who may just be reduced to “bahala na” mode as the new year is about to commence. All said, don’t feel alone. It will make a whole lot of difference in a barometer called happiness.
But here’s the catch. The fearless forecast is 2025 will be happier. Because it is a Jubilee Year. What is it? It traces back to an ancient Jewish tradition when a ram (yobel) is sounded to remind people of a time of hope and grace. It happens only every 25 years. The next celebration then will be in 2050, and the last time was the Great Jubilee of 2000. Among others, Jubilee calls for rest and relaxation of the land, a return to the homeland for those scattered, liberation for captives/slaves, and cancellation of debts. Who then would not be happier when these and more will be accomplished within this year?
For his part, Pope Francis, in his message for the World Day of Peace for 2025, makes concrete the spirit of the Jubilee—to reduce, if not to cancel, outright international debt; to eliminate the death penalty in all nations; and to establish a global fund from a percentage of the money earmarked for armaments to eradicate hunger and facilitate in the poorer countries educational activities aimed at promoting sustainable development and combating climate change. In so doing, the Holy Father actually proposes forgiveness so as to attain true peace. In other words, forgiveness is but a way to happiness. There will be no happiness without the gesture of becoming reconciled through being forgiven.
I am reminded of what my mentor then told me when, as a seminarian, I was about to go to the mountains for exposure to live with the indigenous peoples of Sierra Madre. I was then very apprehensive as to what to expect and what not to expect. Both worries and anxieties partnered inside me, and I just found myself not anymore willing to proceed with the plan. And so I was reminded, “Kung hindi ka pupunta doon at hindi mo gagawin yun, ano na lang ang kaya mong gawin?” He added further “And if you cannot be happy here and now, you will never be happy anywhere and at any given time.”
And so then, were we happier before, or will we be happier soon? Will we have more reasons this year to be happy? O, will we just oblige ourselves to become happy since it’s a Jubilee? Further, are you happy because you are where you are right now? Or, would going somewhere else make you even happier? And, are you now happy because you already have what you have wanted? And what if, in time, you will actually lose what you just have? Will you still be happy?
For all that has been, say thanks.
And for all that will soon be, say AMEN.
Happier New Year to all!
