The term simple in dictionary is
defined as “of low or ordinary statuses.” Then what would be the meaning of the
‘Simple Life’? From my point of view, the simple life is leading our life in
trouble-free, not entering in the materialistic world.
Today, people in and around us always
go for the acquisitive world, money is counted a lot, but these all build
tension in our mind. The money is what we always opt for, it’s our priority and
these priorities would ruin our life.
In the villages where there is not much
earnings always considered themselves as Happiest person in the world. They
work hard to make their living which is considered as one of the privileged to
be born in village. As and when I travel to eastern Bhutan in December 2013, I
met with Ap Wangpo who hails from Samdrup Jongkhar, but I forgot to ask his
village. I stopped for lunch in restaurant below Dewathang satellite town. As I
asked him, “how happy are you?” He replied smilingly, “I am happy because I
lead my life in very simple way.”
“Simple…? How and in what ways you
considered as simple life?” I asked him.
“I earn few hundred bucks at the end of
the months working as carpenter,” adding that today I came here to drop oranges
for the auction next month. He was happily drinking a Black Mountain Wisky to
regain from tiring walk for half day.
Some eagerness generated within me
then, I asked him to narrate some ways of being happiest person. He took a sip
of Wisky, and here it goes:
“When I was young, my dearly loved
father died while he was constructing a house for neighbor. I don’t remember
the age because I was little boy then. My loved mother too left me all alone
after few years. My eldest sister got married to present husband where they
took care of me and my youngest brother, who is serving as Army currently. My
eldest sister and hubby didn’t earn any cash. During that time, the cash was
very precious. We usually earn half ngultrum when we work tirelessly for a day.
No money, no shopping and all, we were happy. We manufactured oil out of
mustard; we cultivate paddy, maize and other cereal crops and vegetables as
well. Everything is generated within our locality, so we were happiest person,”
he nodded his head.
Adding that, “Today, we earn lot of
money; we can get everything from India. When everything is imported from
India, the things are highly priced. The rice, vegetables and all are imported
from India, yet it’s all inorganic. These inorganic substances are consumed by
us, which takes away our health. So many kidney patients are there in my village.
It might be due to inorganic substances. I am healthy, I don’t have health
problem yet, so I am happiest person.”
He then talked on how he was happy with
low earning. He compared wealthy and poor families living in rural like him and
urban areas like his village mates. “I live in my village for last 62 years, I
didn’t earn anything much. But still I enjoyed my life in simple way with my
beloved wife and two children. Eldest of two is son, who graduated from
Sherabtse College, Kanglung. Currently he is working in civil service. May be
he might be ‘Gopoen’. Second child is daughter; she is working as teacher
somewhere in Bumthang. We are happy here, our children used to visit us yearly.
My wife went to son’s place in Thimphu. She stayed there for nearly three
months. She says she don’t like there as it noisy. When my children asked me to
go with them, I rejected their request because I am happy here. I am not
earning much but happy. My children used to send money when they find people
coming to village. They used to call us timely.”
“Whenever we talk about happiness in
urban areas, I will cite example my son and daughter. They earn enough since
their wife and hubby is earning too. Still they are not happy as they want more
money. They own a car each; they have spent money on oil refill, maintenance,
and many others such as house rent. Their children are going school; they have
to drop them school, pickup from school, baby sitter is also employed, so they
have to spend money on all. When money in wallet decrease, their happiness will
fades away. May be they don’t have happiness in them.”
“We don’t have tension here; we cook
our meals three times a day. We eat together chatting, gossiping and laughing.
We eat meat, eggs, and fish every week, this is how we always enjoy our life
here. Besides all, we also offer Choepa, prayers and chat religious mantras
every morning, evening and during duezangs (Auspicious days). That how we lead
happy life being in remote and far flung area. Only thing we need is food,
shelter and proper basic facilities; we have already connected with road
network, BHU, electricity, telecommunication, etc.”
This how Ap Wangpo enjoying the
happiest moment in the remote rural village in Samdrup Jongkhar. With simple
life, the happiness is grabbed and shared among them. They always eat
nutritious food; have good shelter, medical facilities and all.
To fly to third world countries, make
huge amount of money, come up with luxurious car, building, etc. are cause of
tensions and ruin our happiness. Simple and natural life leads us to world of
happiness, where the Philosophies of GNH are fulfilled. Leading simple life in
villages conserve the environment, culture and traditions emerged from our
forefathers will be preserved, working in field would make our sustainable
living and local leader administering over good governance.
