How To Truly Enjoy Every Moment of Your Life

They say you can learn anything from just about everyone in your life. For me, this includes my son. You see, he has this innate and immerse joy for life. Indeed, he lives up to his name Jovie, which is the shortened version of:

Joie de vivre , or the joy of living.

As kids, we are probably truly happy, without worries and all. But now, as we grow older, where did all that joy go?

For this, I actually found the answer through my boy. He simply loves being alive.

My son with his mouth agape: the tiniest and craziest boy in class.

He could be this happy throughout the day (minus his sporadic cries) and I always wonder how he did it. So, this is the ultimate question: How is he able to keep himself so happy all the time? He seems to be enjoying every moment of his life. No doubt, children do not have the responsibilities and burdens like adults do but it doesn't hurt to learn a skill or two from them about staying happy right? Perhaps you may even find back the joy that left you years ago! And so, I set out to investigate for a few months and came up with the following conclusions:

  

1. He remembers and elaborates on happy things, repeatedly. When he just turned three, he began to talk about things that he remembers. And it's not only about random things but happy things. And also, he keeps repeating them. I guess he likes to repeatedly elaborate on happy events. Example, once he repeatedly talked about a happy outing: Mommy, you remember, that day we went to the beach with papa? It's so nice, hahaha... Perhaps we can do that too by thinking about happy events in our life or go through photos of good 'ol times? So c'mon, let's reminisce. Let us indulge in our pleasant memories (instead of wasting our days in bad ones).

2. He does not dwell on sad events for long. Of course, like normal kids, he goes through his fair share of frustrations, misery and sadness but it appears that he chose to minimise them. He cries and whines but will soon revert back to his jovial self again. Sometimes, when I asked him about a toy that he couldn't buy, he'll go: Oh, nevermind, it's ok mommy.

3. He finds life pretty funny, and laughs about it. The immerse joy that radiates from within him is amazing. He's simply happy and having fun (I used to be like that and I'm trying to get that joy back!). In fact, when I joked about wanting to smack his naughty Papa's buttocks he said to smack him instead. When asked why he's sacrificing for Papa he replied: Oh haha, because you are quite funny. So my son thinks that Mommy being in an angry rage and smacking his buttocks funny?!

It's like I can almost feel his heart beating with joy. Please see x-ray of his heart ==>  {^_^}

As opposed to a heart that is beating with anger, hatred, or sadness, let us allow our hearts to beat with joy!

4. He loves everyone. When people asked him who he loved most, he didn't choose anyone. Instead, he chose everyone! As much as I hope I am the one he loves most, I actually find him loving everyone in the family very comforting. It's a little struggle for the mommy who supposedly gave her all but deeper down, I know it's good for him and it'll bring him more joy in the long run. Like the saying goes: Inclusiveness is the fundamental solution to everything.

5. He hopes that everyone is happy. When I get angry, he'll go: Mommy don't get angry, be happy! Sometimes, out of the blue, he'll ask: Mommy are you happy? And I truly think that he hopes the people around him are happy. He likes to make people laugh with his silly remarks and antics. When he sees you laughing while he swings and dances crazily, he'll do it again and again just to make you laugh. Aww... isn't that sweet. Doesn't it feel good to bring joy to the people around you? And joy is contagious right? It might even get back to you one day :)

PS: On our very first parent-teacher meeting, my son's teacher actually told me that "it is such a joy to have him in class". Gosh, I'm a proud mom already. Proud that he could bring joy to the people around him. My little rascal could grow up to be the Mr Nice Guy, perhaps?




6. He doesn't hanker after what others have. Once, he saw some of his classmates riding brand-new skate scooters to school. When his father asked him whether he wants to have one, he replied: No, mine's in NaiNai's (grandma's) place. One is enough. Although the scooter at grandma's is an old hand-me-down, he doesn't hanker for a new one. I am happy that he is able to live his own life and not live like someone else. I'm working on this one since our household income has drastically reduced. Live my own way of life and not hankering for what others may have.





7. He lives with all his heart. What I mean is: Whatever he set out to do, he'll do it with all his heart (this unfortunately includes naughty things!). And wherever he goes, he'll go with all his heart. He is simply 100% involved. You can see that through his eyes, his hands and legs twitches and butt shakes. Nuff' said.

8. Sickness doesn't take his joy away. There was once, he was terribly sick. He had a serious bout of ear infection and was ill for the entire month. Despite being in pain, high fever and all, he remained happy. I could feel his pain, fears, and tiredness but apparently, he did not equate sickness with sadness. Sickness is not equal to sadness, he decided. Perhaps I should do the same by forgetting all my bodily pains and start living life as well as I can.




9. He doesn't care how he looks like and how other thinks he looks like. Well, at least for the time being. Sometimes, are we too engrossed in or obsessed with looking good all the time that we forget the other more important matters and people in our lives? But, of course, we should at least be clean and neat.




10. He doesn't give up easily. I like this because I think he takes after me for this. Oftentimes, I can see enthusiasm and determination in full force. If he doesn't get what he wants, he'll try again and again. E.g. If he really wants to go somewhere, he'll ask again tomorrow, and tomorrow again until the parents surrender.



11. He blooms wherever he is. I can simply put him anywhere and he'll just be able to find something to enjoy doing. Is this the toddler's version of resilience? So, no matter where I bring him, he can find joy and happiness. Let us bloom wherever we are and whoever we are with.

Zambuk for joy! Sorry, it's jumping for joy.
Handyplasts and Zam-buk standby.

12. He makes friends easily. This is because he is friendly to everyone. And this is regardless of the skin/hair/eye colour, spoken language, and even age. He can be speaking to an old uncle in one instance and then blending seamlessly into a group of children who already knew each other at the next moment.





13. He enjoys everything he's doing. This may sound like a no-brainer but are we really, truly, enjoying ourselves even if we're doing our favourite stuffs? I mean, two plastic balls can keep him joyfully entertained for hours. Even walking is a tremendous joy to him.





14. He is super curious. He has this unbeatable thirst to explore and learn about things. Learn to speak, count, sing a song, press for the lift, use the escalator, wear shoe (except, he refuses to eat on his own and demands that I feed him!). I find that on a certain level, curiosity is the fundamental motivation of life. Once you lost that, you'll stop living.

Jovie thinking: What's that on the wall? I must scrape it off and see!
Mommy screaming: Jovie! Stand straight! Stop moving!

15. It's difficult to purposely make him sad or angry. He is too busy being happy, living in the moment that it's difficult to tone him down (by making him sad or angry) to talk serious business - which gets on my nerves. But still, we can learn from my son to be less easily swayed by the mean people around us. Don't let people who don't matter spoil our day or life!





16. He doesn't mind being alone. He can be alone, he enjoys his own company, and he can find joy all by himself. Of course, he likes company but he knows how to bask in solitary joy as well.



Certainly, one day, my boy's joy will subside as he grow up, especially when he enters adulthood which comes with its usual issues (study, money, relationships). But I really hope that my son and my readers out there too, can be as joyful as possible and bloom wherever you are!



Before we go, let me share this wonderful video with you. This made me laugh and then cry at my own narrow mind. I should stop keeping all that joy inside of me already. Indeed, you are what you exude, not what you withhold within yourself. [Note: Sadhguru is a spiritual master with a difference. I find him funny and is the wisest man ever. Many of his philosophies are so enchanting. I've learnt so many amazing perspectives of life through him.]

True indeed. Compared to the universe, we're merely tiny specks of temporary living being. The earth is still revolving the right direction, all your family and friends are still with you, and you are still alive, so what's there to be sad about?



And this made me come to the following realisation:

Happiness is when you can see that every moment is
The Perfect Moment.

~ Lio