The topics of wealth and poverty are amongst the most poignant and resonant issues of our society today. Alas, they are too frequently overlooked, and we find ourselves content to remain in our current situation, unaware of the vast disparities that exist between us. These days, however, there have been more efforts placed into helping reduce the wealth and income gap between the rich and the poor, which perhaps reflect how society has shifted to a more socially aware state. I come from a modest family myself, having being raised in a generation where my traditional parents expects me to outperform my peers, get a good job in the banking or finance industry, and essentially, live a life more or less similar to theirs. Over the course of time however, as I grow up, meet new people, travel around the world, I’ve begun to have questions about our work-centric society, and how things might not seem to be so ideal within this little red dot itself. I will dive into one of the challenge that Singaporeans face on a day-to-day basis, and offer some suggestions on how we could possibly pick up different mindsets rooted in other countries.
To begin, an unbalanced work-life schedule is one key challenge that many Singaporeans face. Colin Goh, a local filmmaker and writer, wrote in his article “Paved with good intentions” about the difference between the Singaporean Dream and the Singaporean Plan. He mentions how he was just like a typical Singaporean student chasing his dreams of becoming a lawyer, earning a good sum of money, and basically just doing what everyone else is doing. It was not until he moved to New York with his wife and encountered a close brush with death that made him reconsider how he wanted to actually ‘live’. One of his quotes that stood out to me most as to why he decided to take the step and move to New York was that unlike Singapore, the Americans knew to “celebrate mavericks, they might not find happiness, but there is liberty to pursue it”. In contrast, Singapore can sometimes feel stifling with its tendency to micromanage and prescribe a specific way of living. The slightest deviation from the norm may lead to judgment and condemnation, leaving little room for individuality and self-expression.
Celebrating mavericks. Doing what makes you happy. Enjoying your life to the fullest. Nestled within this little red dot, so many of us labor tirelessly to achieve academic excellence and seek to measure up with our peers, all whilst adhering rigidly to the expectations of our parents. However, this unrelenting pursuit of scholarly success often obscures the true splendour that life has to offer, leaving one’s journey of personal growth and self-discovery tragically incomplete. They say that life’s greatest pleasures are hidden in plain sight. And even when many of these folks come to realise that, they are either way past their golden years or have met an unfortunate accident that caused them to stop, take a step back and re-evaluate their own lives. Our blind pursuit of economic growth has resulted in us neglecting so much of our social aspects such as health, respect, friendships and leisure. Indeed, economic growth should be accepted as a residual rather than being something that we aim towards. This is most definitely apparent in Singapore, where students break their backs trying to secure an internship at the top firms out there, only to find themselves working even harder after they assumed that they “got what they wanted”. And what happens after that, they keep going, hoping that one day they can retire early, enjoy themselves and die a ‘peaceful’ life. A never-ending rat race.
Life is not meant to be like this. So often we come across local stories about people who needed a life-threatening event, a terminal cancer, in order for them to look back and regret how they have lived their lives. Why does it have to be like this? Why does it have to get until this step in order for people to finally see the big picture?
Sometime in May last year, China’s President Xi Jinping took the stage and spoke about how “China’s hope lies in the youth”. Over the new year, I spoke to one my relatives, who works in Beijing, and asked him regarding his experience working there. Funny enough, he mentioned how within his tech department, the average age of the workers were over 45 years old. Certainly ironic. These days, there has been a profound phenomenon of youths in China voluntarily retreating from pursuing certain goals because they realise that such goals are simply too difficult to achieve. This phenomenon, also more widely known as as ‘Bai Lan’, has gained so much attention across mainstream media, drawing hundreds of millions of reads in recent times. On paper, China has the world’s second largest economy by GDP in 2022, totalling up to USD 18 trillion dollars. That’s close to 20% percent of the entire planet’s economy! But behind all of this lies a generation of youths that has increasingly developed a sense of hopelessness, a feeling of misery, and a complete lost of direction in their lives. Thankfully, as a Singaporean youth myself, I can vouch that we are not at that state where China is, at least yet. We are all taught in school the importance of achieving economic growth, which certainly brings about an increase in the standard of living amongst its citizens. What we are not taught however, is that economic growth should be a means to an end, with the end being true contentment with what we do.
No doubt every person out there wants to be happy in their lives. It is within our human nature to make the best out of a seemingly dire situation and try to see the light in it. We all want to be happy at the end of the day. Yet, do we, as Singaporeans, live our lives in that same fashion? Singapore has been ranked the most expensive city in the world in 2022, but is this something that we should really be proud of? Strict governance, a spotlessly clean society, an organised transportation network, an airport that people all over the world come just to see it. But behind all of this, we should really ask ourselves, are we happy with where we are as a society? How can happiness possibly be measured? We should look no further than Bhutan. The happiest country in the world, a society that measures economic growth through GNH (Gross National Happiness). GNH consists of 9 goals with that of living standards, health, education, ecological diversity and resilience, time use, good governance, community vitality, psychological well-being and cultural diversity and resilience. As long as there is progress in each of these categories, there is economic progress within the country itself. Currently, Bhutan is one of the fastest growing economies within Asia itself, comparable to the likes of South Korea, and whilst its people also being the happiest out there.
Imagine a world where the true measure of prosperity is not confined to material wealth, but extends to the intangible joys of life – happiness, well-being, and environmental sustainability. Bhutan, a beacon of visionary leadership, has embarked on this noble journey with its groundbreaking Gross National Happiness (GNH) philosophy. However, for Singapore, with its distinct democratic republic structure, the translation of GNH into practice presents unique challenges. Nonetheless, Singapore can draw inspiration from Bhutan’s GNH philosophy and integrate some of its key elements into its societal fabric.
One such element is the promotion of community vitality. By fostering social cohesion through community events, volunteering, and neighbourhood programs, Singapore can instil a sense of belonging and purpose among its citizens, thereby nurturing a culture of empathy and altruism. Additionally, prioritising ecological diversity and resilience by preserving natural heritage and adopting sustainable practices can safeguard the environment, ensuring its longevity and preservation for generations to come. As Singapore forges ahead with its developmental trajectory, it is imperative to acknowledge that a well-rounded approach to progress is vital. A robust economy alone cannot guarantee societal well-being and happiness. As such, integrating certain aspects of GNH, such as community vitality and environmental sustainability, can serve as catalysts for a more fulfilling, holistic approach to societal progress in Singapore.
Another feature of the GNH philosophy that Singapore can readily embrace is the primacy of psychological well-being. In recent years, the Singapore government has taken important steps towards promoting mental health awareness, evidenced by initiatives such as the National Care Hotline and Mental Health Peer Support Service. By prioritising the psychological welfare of its citizens, Singapore can foster a happier and more resilient society, capable of confronting the challenges of a rapidly changing world. However, Singapore’s unique cultural and political landscape requires a delicate balance in the application of GNH. While the kingdom of Bhutan is a monarchy, Singapore is a democratic republic with its unique set of challenges. Nevertheless, by judiciously incorporating specific elements of GNH, such as community vitality, ecological diversity and resilience, and psychological well-being, Singapore can establish a more comprehensive approach to societal development and well-being. In doing so, it can reinforce its reputation as a leader in progress and prosperity, whilst enhancing the quality of life for its citizens.
Over the course of my time travelling across Southeast Asia, having been to the rural outskirts of Laos and Cambodia, staying amongst these locals, I often get the opportunity, which I am so thankful of, to speak to them. Although communication can be challenging due to language barriers, I always make it a point to inquire about the well-being of those I encounter. “Are you happy working here? Are you satisfied with your life now?” Such questions are often met with resounding enthusiasm and genuine happiness, expressed through the warmth of their laughter and their unwavering affirmation of contentment with their present circumstances.
I recall upon my time once when I was in Laos and had the chance to speak to one of the homeowners of my quaint little resort situated next to the river. A tall, rugged-looking, Dutch gentlemen who came to this land-locked paradise close to two decades back and fell in love with it so much that he eventually made it his permanent home. He was a soft-spoken individual, not the brightest in his academic pursuits back in his younger days, but yet left me with such an indelible story that it would be unjust for me to keep it to myself. Here goes. The story is set in an unnamed coast in Mexico.
A tourist went to Mexico and praised the local fishermen for the quality of their fish and asked them how much time it took for them to catch the fishes.
And the fishermen answered him in one voice: “Not long”
He asked them: “Why don’t you spend more time and fish more?”
The fishermen made it clear that their little catch would suffice the needs of theirs and their families.
He asked them: “But what do you do in the rest of your time?”
They answered: “We sleep late, fish a little, play with our children, eat with our wives, and on some evenings we visit our friends.. We have fun, laugh and chant some songs.”
The tourist interrupted: “I have an MBA from Harvard University and I can help you! You have to start fishing for long periods every day and then sell the extra fish for a bigger return. So you would be able to buy a bigger fishing boat!”
They asked him: “Then what?”
He replied: “With the big boat and the extra money, you can buy a second and third boat, and so on until you have an integrated fleet of fishing vessels. And instead of selling your catch to an intermediary, you will negotiate directly with the factories, and perhaps you will also open your own factory. And you will be able to leave this village and move to Mexico, the capital, or Los Angeles or even New York! From there you will be able to start your giant projects!”
The fishermen asked the tourist: “How much time will we need to achieve this?”
He replied: “About twenty or maybe twenty-five years?”
They asked him: “What next?”
He replied with a smile: “When your business grows, you will speculate in stocks and win millions!
They asked him in amazement: Millions? Oh really? And what will we do after that?”
The American replied: “Then you can retire, and live quietly in a village on the coast, sleep late, you can play with your children, eat with your wives and spend the nights enjoying with friends.”
The fishermen answered: “With all due respect and appreciation, but that’s exactly what we’re doing now. So, what is the logic for which we waste twenty-five years of misery?”
A story testament to the beauty and potency of simplicity, and a reminder that sometimes, the most profound truths can be found in the most unexpected places.
Walls around their houses which one could easily peek over. Off-beaten tracks as highways. Children playing in the Mekong. Yet the same smile all over their faces. Simplicity. I could confidently say that 99 out of 100 of these folks will never make it into the bright lights, big city of Singapore, nor earn even a fraction of the average Singaporean. But why does it matter? Zhuangzi talks about how true happiness is found not in material possessions, but in contentment with oneself. For what shall it profit a person to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their own soul in the process? Instead, we must pursue that which ignites the flames within us, that which brings us joy and fulfilment, and do so relentlessly. And when such pursuits fail to align with our innermost being, let us not be afraid to blaze our own path and become the agents of change that our society so desperately needs.