Positive motivation key to happiness
straits times/forum/17July2006

Everyone ranks happiness differently and most of the times, happiness is being detered by one according to their lifestyles.

In Singapore, we have one of the best airports in the world, an elite workforce, first class educational institutions, an effective government and a safe city. Yet, eventhough we are doing so well on the fronts, why do we have the dubious honour of being ranked among the most miserable people in the world?
In my opinion, I feel that it is no coincidence that the wealthiest nations are among the least happy ones in the world. Afterall, the pursuit of material wealth is often an end in itself. An example is if you a living in a condominium today, you would want to move into a semi detached house and then into a bungalow. It is not wrong in being ambitious. However, we need to draw a distinction between positive and negative motivation. Negative motivation means to supress your happiness until you have achieved your desired results. On the contrary, positive motivation means to be optimistic about the present and to work harder for better results.

As such, Singaporeans should stop lamenting about their stresses and unhappiness. But instead, to view their lives from a different angle and hopefully, realise the ture meaning of happiness.