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An Experiment in Happiness |
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Last Updated
Friday December 29, 2006 13:56:08
By Sarah Lake |
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Do you really know what happiness is?
We
all seem to be striving for this concept called
'happiness' but what is it really? After all, how many
people do you know who are truly happy?
What
does it take to be 'happy' for more than just a brief or
transient period? Until we can answer these questions we
are effectively 'stabbing in the dark', going from one
thing to another hoping to find that elusive goal!
How
can we ever hope to achieve it if we don't know what it
is? But where do we start?
An Experiment in Happiness
OK -
Happiness - we all know about 'happiness', don't we?
Well, we all know it exists, and we all know that we are
trying to achieve it - even if some of us have forgotten
this - it is what we are reaching for, in whatever way
we can, right?
But
what is this 'elusive' thing called happiness - I mean,
REALLY, what is it?
Think about that for a moment. If it was obvious we
would all have it, right??! But, take a look around you;
how many people do you see that are really happy?
Endless words have been written about it, books and
films have been portraying it since time immemorial -
people have lived whole lives searching for it and died
in the name of it. But WHAT is it?
We
all know that it's something we want - it's almost a
foregone conclusion that it's what we are all striving
for - but how many of us really know what it is, what it
would take for us to be truly happy??
You
might immediately think, 'Oh, its love', or it's 'having
children', or it's 'being healthy' or it's 'being rich'
- and while those things may well contribute to your
feeling of contentment - do they, in themselves, really
bring happiness?? The answer to that must surely be 'No'
otherwise there would not be so many unhappy people in
the world.
Well, let's take a look at this from another angle then.
Let's take a look at what is it that makes us UNHAPPY? I
bet if you sat down for a few minutes and just listed
out the things in life that you feel unhappy about it
would be much easier to do - right?
OK -
so, it's easier to list out all the things are make us
unhappy - so let's start there!
Try
this experiment - just make a list of all the things
that upset you or make you unhappy. Don't hold out -
just list out everything that you can think of.
Alright - now that you have your list in front of you -
take each point on the list and work out what the
OPPOSITE of that would be.
For
example: let's say you wrote down that one of the things
that makes you unhappy is the state of the government -
so what is it about the government that you don't like?
Maybe it's the fact that you feel that they don't listen
to what it is that the 'common people' need and want -
or maybe it's because you don't feel that they are
running the country in a way that helps the average
person have a good standard of living - or that you
think that they are not stopping crime or you think that
they don't do anything effective to help the homeless or
unemployed. What ever it is that you don't like about
it, just jot this down.
Another example might be that you don't like the way
that other people treat you. OK - so what is it about
the way that others treat you that you don't like?
Or
maybe you get upset by the fact that your work
environment is not as good as it could be, or your
relationship with your parents could be better, or the
way the planet is being polluted worries you.
Whatever you can think of that makes you unhappy, just
write it down - be as specific as you can and don't
worry if it doesn't seem to 'make sense' - put it on
your list anyway.
NOW:
Once you've completed the list take each point and ask
yourself this question; 'What is the OPPOSITE to this -
if this point makes me unhappy then by turning it around
and looking at it from the other side what would be the
opposite of that - because it is THAT opposite that
would actually contribute to your happiness - do you
see?
For
example - you don't like the way your colleagues treat
you at work - this makes you unhappy. You've noted down
that the thing you really don't like is the way they
speak to you and treat you as though you are less
important than they are.
OK -
so let's turn that around. IF your colleagues spoke to
you with common courtesy and treated you with respect
and listened to your opinion and in doing so make you
feel that you were important to them, wouldn't that make
you happier about your work colleagues?
Or -
if one of the things you wrote down that makes you
unhappy is that you don't like 'lazy people' or people
who tell lies, or the fact that there is poverty in the
world - then just note down the opposites of those
things, or the concept that these represent.
By
doing this you are starting to answer your own questions
about what happiness is. Because it goes without saying
that if you don't know the answer to this question -
'What makes me happy' then how on earth can you ever
expect to achieve it??!
Knowing WHAT you are trying to achieve is the FIRST step
to getting there - right?
Feel
free to send any comments or thoughts on this as I'm
really interested in hearing back on what you discover
doing this experiment!
© 2006 Sarah Lake
slake@merlago.com
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From the Independent, Iceman bore traces of the blood of four o
Before you indict me of being Qabiil motivated let me
ease your apprehension for a minute. You might assume
that I am calling the current Supreme Council of Islamic
Courts in their current composition to assume the power
of all Somalia, that is not what I am calling for, I am
calling for similar purpose driven people with the same
agenda be formed in every region of Somalia and its
territories and join their southern brethren in their
SHUURAA and leadership. People who believe their
religion and land, who want to unite Somalis and
Somalia. Leaders who are capable and can change the
warlord philosophy. Learned men and women who are
capable to advance the education system, the economic
system, the infrastructure, the social system, the
military and police structures, the international and
foreign policy, culture; people who are Islamic,
patriotic and farsighted to realize the solution of
Somalia is not with Qabiilism, Ethiopia, USA, Europe,
Middle East or any other country but themselves and with
Allah. People who want to unite the nation and want to
achieve a justice nation.
People you trust and you know are educated in their
religion and their world affairs, people you know will
not fail their country and their cities. People you know
would not steal the wealth of the nation but use to
build the infrastructure and public interest. People who
will use the tax to build the public interest no their
bank accounts. People you know transcend their tribal
instincts and can see beyond the “Qabiil”. These people
are in every city and are well known if you ask around
and put your ego in check and put the fear of Allah in
your heart. I
totally and categorically reject the Qamri drinking,
Jaat chewing, Qabiil talking and Laa luush taking odd
balls in Baydhabo and elsewhere in our land is the best
and brightest the regions has to offer. It is the same,
as saying Qanyare, Mohamed Dheere, Muuse Suudi, Qeybdiid,
Caydiid, and Gedi are the best the south has to offer. I
am in the opinion the regions have the best and
brightest people who can lead and partner their brethren
in the South and Central Somalia to bring about a
lasting Sharia based government and once and for all
unite the Somali nation in justice, peace, prosperity,
dignity and pride. I
am certain cities such as Galdogob, Gaalkacyo, Boosaaso,
Kismaayo, Laas Caanood, Garoowe, Hobyo, Burco,
Baardheere, etc have hundreds if not thousands who are
capable to take the challenge and meet the needs of
Somalia and the region in particular. Not the warlords
who the Qabiil, Khaat, Qamri, and hatred destroyed their
humanity. The injustices the warlords have visited
with the Somali children, women, the old and the sick
will never be forgiven or forgotten. Let us not lower
our humanity by believing these warlords would bring the
current chaos out of our country.
The warlord system caused our sisters, mothers and
children to be raped in foreign ghettos, our young have
perished crossing oceans to escape from the evils,
cruelty and the indignity of warlords and their
destruction. Our proud family structure have
disintegrated in cultures we do not understand, our
young have been left with no other option but to become
“Mooryaan”, our proud former military veterans who lost
their limbs in enemy battles are left with no option but
to scavenger food from garbage dumps.
Our pregnant women are dying for luck of oxygen when
giving birth. Our land is outsourced to Italian mafia to
dump nuclear waste. Our people are at the mercy of
infectious diseases that are easily controllable. Our
Somali name is sold to the highest bidder in
International arena.
Our business men and women are locked from international
travel and have become at the mercy of scam artists and
loan sharks. Our ocean is being plundered by Asian gangs
such as the Triad, Tongs using International prohibited
methods of fishing and mining. Our noble men are reduced
to taxi drivers while their wives look after the
children in second or third countries. The verdict of our Somali people is load and clear, the
warlord system has failed our people and its absolute
bankruptcy is evident in everywhere and our people have
discarded them in unequivocal terms. Having said that, allow me to come back the gist of my
article. I am in no illusion and fully aware, there are
those well meaning people who believe and have a hope
“rajo” that the two sides: Warlord System and Islamic
System could be reconciled but history and reality is
not in that side. In
the midst of the present “progress” in Southern and
Central Somalia or as the enemy likes to call “crisis”,
while our patriotic farsighted Islamic thinking leaders
count the dead of warlord atrocities, nurse the injured,
repair the infrastructure, provide security and clean
the city; I am sure they are also asking themselves what
lies ahead.
First, the current warlord system we can’t expect
nothing from them. They are the ones ordering enemy
Ethiopian Christian soldiers to crouch over their rifle
in our mother land in order to train their guns on our
brothers and sisters. They are the ones giving vague
promises and toying with Qabiilism and corruption side
by side with renewed overture designed at weakening and
forestalling the progress of the Supreme Islamic
Courts. They are buying time to divide and weaken the
forces of peace and security. These are the only paths
they know to flounder. They are neither capable nor
willing to heed the wishes of their patriotic and noble
Somali people. For over a month now, they could not
agree whether they are for peace or for war. They can’t
agree whether they want to stick together or fall apart,
whether to attend peace negotiations or not.
Secondly, the warlords know time favors over the Supreme
Islamic Courts side, their dark forces are gathering and
would do everything in their power to divide the Supreme
Islamic Courts side; to give the warlords another
fighting chance. I
put forward that the solution of Somali lies not with
negotiating or attempting to reach a settlement with the
warlords and their system but through the total
annihilation of their system both body and spirit. The
warlords wish you ill, there is nothing they want more,
than to crush you, fail you and eventually eliminate
you. Therefore you must not stop without their complete
destruction. If you fail to do that and you believe a
minute out of mercy you could negotiate and reconcile
with them, you will make them more embittered and more
determined to get back at you and destroy you. They are
the enemies of the Somali nation; therefore, do not
allow them an option other than total annihilation or to
an exile. We must destroy their defense bases, support
structure, supply lines, and source of income. If they
are not destroyed and are emancipated into society or
given a share of the affairs of governance they will
spread mischief, their anger and hatred towards the
Progressive Islamic side would even grower larger and
their reprisal would even be more deadly. The only
security you we are guaranteed is the one that comes
from their total evaporation.
There should not be a warlord or their affiliates
anywhere in Somalia. They should not have any shelter or
anywhere that is hospitable for them to reappear. They
should be destroyed to a point where they would not be
able to regroup, stand on their feet or harm the Somali
society ever again.
The warlords are misguided and shameful bunch with no
principle to guide, no patriotic instincts, no national
ambition and are toxic to the Somali nation. Do not get
into the trap of negotiating with them, you shall never
be able to build a nation that includes them or their
allies or affiliates. In fact, all they want to achieve
is to fail the ambitious and purpose driven and thinking
people. The warlords have the blood of our children on
their hands. What has changed to make you believe things
would be different this time? May be, because a warlord
from another Qabiil has been named the prime minister or
the president? I
know some of them are resigning these days to negotiate
with you, but who said it’s not a plot to sneak in and
destroy within? Some may be genuinely disillusioned the
warlord system but we can’t give them the benefit of
doubt. They must be treated as enemy combatants until
proven otherwise. I strongly believe no emancipation
into politics is possible with these but their total
destruction and annihilation of them all. Do not let
them come into the fold of your ranks or even attain a
position they can talk to more than their wife’s or
children. They should totally be disarmed, dismantled,
and banned to ever engage in politics anywhere in or
outside Somalia.
Finally, their allies and those who armed them,
supported them, protected them, and advised them must be
neutralized. They must never attempt or think to aid,
assist or rescue them. They must do so, not because of
love with the winning side or for goodwill but for fear
if they do so, the consequences will be their self
destruction.
For the Supreme Council of Islamic Courts, my humble
advise to you is, to not fail the trusty we have placed
on you, you must not disagree and disintegrate, you must
be united and solve your differences in the Shuuraa
system. This is not the time of division or disunity.
You must close ranks and unite in a single wall of
resistance. You must see your goals and agenda in a
laser light focus and realize the ropes of the enemy is
everywhere in all forms and disguises.
Your enemies will assemble all their resources to try to
divide you and disunite you; they will try to lure you
with positions and money. They will try to instill
disunity among you by calling you names; some of you
will be called moderates while some are called
hardliners, some will be called Islaax while some are
called Salafiis. Some of you will be called Ahlusunna
wal jamaaca while others are called Qaadiriya or
Ahmadiya. They will call some Axkaamley and some Suufiya.
All these names are being brought up to divide you, fail
you and eventually eliminate you all. Do
not envy each other and leave your differences of
opinion to the learned scholars to decide. Do not
become arrogant and allow people the freedom to create,
to think, to form, to own and to voice their dissenting
views within the acceptable bounds of civilized
discourse.
You must guard against extremist and terrorist groups
and those who do not truly follow our middle religion.
Our religion is not of the left, is not that of the
right, it is in the middle. Be guard against “Quluwi fi
deen” and be careful the rhetoric of the deviant
nihilist groups such as AL-QAACIDA and their ilk. You
must realize the East, the West, the North and South
belong to Allah. You must keep close leash on the
exuberant youth and consult with learned elders who
matured in their religion, thinking and experience. Do
show respect to our neighbor states and governments and
respect the international treatise and laws, even those
we don’t like or approve off.
Support the needy, the injured, the orphan, the asylum,
the old, the sick and those who require assistance to
function. You must seek friendship over confrontation
with those who are genuinely interested in assisting and
enhancing the life of our people.
Advance the ownership of properties and businesses.
Re-introduce progressive business practices that would
further the employment of the general public and allow
well meaning International Corporation to own properties
and build our infrastructure.
Speak with one voice and speak to the world with a
language the international community understands. Let
your leaders speak the language they know best and let
learned translators convey your message. Be careful
giving impromptu interviews, your enemies will not
correct you but would relish your blemishes. You should,
rather take the questions and answer to what the
consensus of Shuuraa is rather than one man’s opinion.
Lastly but not least, you should give the governance of
the cities under your control to those who lived there
and know the customs and their ways of living but not
those who occupied through war or recently migrated in.
Let the people who occupy a land, a house, a farm, a
“GOOFAF” that does not belong to them hand over to their
rightful owners. Assist people living in public
properties such schools, hospitals, and public parks
find a suitable dwelling if they are poor and unable to
find a place to live. We
in the Diaspora know and are fully aware the unification
of our Somali nation is yet to be completed, we are with
you, we salute you and we wish you every success for you
have dared to challenge and rise up against the
tyrannical warlords and their system of division and
disunity, murder and mayhem.
Any mistakes I have made are from me and not from Allah.
May Allah guide me and make my thoughts pure. If you
disagree with me, please do let me know and I do need
your feedback.ther
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