Blessed are those who are happy

Material wealth

Not surprisingly, many people cite making money as their goal of happiness. Whether it's an individual or a village, when you're living in abject poverty, the prospect of being able to feed and clothe yourself and your family is absolutely alluring as to amount to paradise. This is not something to be ashamed of. When survival is a problem, happiness can be fleeting at best.

China has left behind the age of subsistence. But we have carried over the habit of associating happiness with wealth accumulation. When we had to save months to buy a bicycle, we thought the two-wheeled vehicle would make us happy; now that we ride in our own cars, we become gloomier when flashier and more expensive vehicles pass us by, whose drivers seem to exude confidence.

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Thirty years ago, many of us lived in cramped dormitories, sharing bunk beds with roommates. How we longed to have our own apartments. But who'd think 100 square meters would look so squeezed after we visited that 300-square-meter model house.

Theoretically, a long period of beatitude could be possible with basic living standards and seclusion from the go-go world. A few years ago, a more scientific survey - not random chatter from the press - was mocked when it revealed higher rural satisfaction with life as it was. While rural residents in China earn far less on average than urbanites, it is quite plausible they find living easier, especially if they do not have access to television shows that flaunt the lifestyle of the rich and famous.

Another demographic high on the happiness meter, I suspect, is the country's senior citizens - provided one is not afflicted with chronic illnesses or the children show enough filial obedience. Just walk around the country's parks, and you'll see the cheerful faces of the retired singing, dancing, doing tai chi or playing chess. If a reporter queries them about happiness, they'll gush for an hour, and it's all heartfelt.