Let’s learn to be content with what we have

Finland is the world’s happiest country according to the latest annual survey conducted by the United Nations and most people may be surprised to know the reasons why Finland is the happiest in a world that is getting more selfish and self-centred compounded with other vices.   

As for Sri Lanka, we jumped four slots ahead and Sri Lankans were happier than in the previous  year, according to the report released on Thursday. The report ranked Sri Lanka at 120. Sri Lanka was ranked 43rd in the sub-category of best improvers from 2008-2010 to 2015-2017. 

The survey found that in the United States, the people were getting less happy even as their country became richer and their President Donald Trump was boasting or tweeting about making America great again and keeping America great. Mr. Trump has also praised China’s President Xi Jin Ping’s move to make himself president for life prompting some American cynics to ask whether the unpredictable Mr. Trump was entertaining similar delusions. It would not be a surprise as some analysts say Mr. Trump is politically unfit and possibly mentally also unfit to be the leader of the world’s most powerful country. The US is losing that status by going into isolationism or protectionism. According to the survey, the US came in at 18th, down from 14th place in 2016. 

Britain was 19th and the United Arab Emirates 20th. Pakistan ranked 75 on the index, coming in ahead of India (133), Bhutan (97), Bangladesh (115) and Sri Lanka (116). While China stood at the 86th spot, India slipped 11 places. It was behind the majority of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations, apart from war-ravaged Afghanistan, that stood at 145. Burundi, came last in the 156 countries surveyed, largely because of corruption and coup attempts.  

Why was Finland ranked as the happiest country? The Finns said despite the cold harsh winters which they took in their stride, access to nature, safety, childcare, good schools and free healthcare were among the best things provided in their country. Finland rose from fifth place in 2016 to oust Norway from the top spot dominated by the Nordic countries such as Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and the Netherlands in addition to Canada, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Australia.  

According to the People website, what is it about Nordic countries that makes their residents so content? Surprisingly, one factor might be the chilly weather. When Norway won earlier, one of the study’s editors told Time magazine that the frigid climate and long, dark winters may actually have had a positive influence on residents’ perceived well-being. There is a view which suggests that historically communities living in harsher weather are brought together by greater mutual support,” Professor John Helliwell says. “We see this with farming communities as well. They will get together to pull a barn roof up. They don’t ask about who’s paying what. So the colder climate of the Nordic countries might actually make social support easier.”  

Less competition at work and better support for those without a job are also big factors, according to Dr. Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, who worked on the happiness index and spoke to Time.  

In Finland, economic factors also are a major influence. The country has a high GDP and high taxes -- which support social programmes -- and free or low-cost higher education and healthcare, life expectancy is also high -- 78 for men and 84 for women, according to data from the World Health Organization.  

Sri Lanka has much to learn to go higher in the world happiness ratings. We have the hallowed tradition of a simple and humble lifestyle. It is known as “Alpechchathavaya”. If our leaders set the example then our people will follow and we will become happier. We need to avoid wasteful expenditure, luxury and extravagance, save more, share more and be content with what we have in a mission to reduce the gap between the poverty-trapped and rich elite. As for our political and other leaders, besides living in a simple and humble way, they need to be sincere and honest and serve the people in a selfless and sacrificial way, without doing business or indulging in bribery, corruption, frauds or the political crimes. That is the way to happiness.