A Story of Pursuing Happiness

Once upon a time of Purnama Kelima 1978, a baby boy was born at a small district hospital in Kubu Karangasem Bali. Let's adsress him Kecug. His father is a state employee who was appointed the chief of the district hospital at that time. Just like a birth in any other family, happiness was flourishing among the family member. Three months later, the baby had a high fever which almost made him collapse, thanks God, a quick help and treatment from the hospital saved his life. However, his good condition was not last long, the high fever attacked him again and again. Not only by medical ilness, the Balinese magic was also so strong in Kubu area, f*ck Karangasem leak. Finally, his father consulted a priest which was resulted that the baby must be taken home to where he 'belongs' which is a remote village in the small island accross Badung strait. With the approval of Karangasem Health Office, finally the family went back to the island and live there happily.

Kecug's childhood was quite fun and cheerful. Little Kecug used to spend his day playing with friends in the beach, sometimes accompanying his mother in the shop at the Semerwah beach. One day in 1986, he saw some kids going to elementary school. He thought "Wow, going to school must be fun, wearing all those uniforms, I would be happy if I can go to school". In fact, his school days were not always happy. Sometimes he hated the teachers, sometimes he fought friends. Thing he hated most was the school is 15 kilometers away from home, thats mean he had to walk about 30 km everyday round trip. There was no bus, no bicycle, no nothing, just a rat path full of bushes. He had victory days too, though. Always first rank since first grade until the sixth grade. Sent to Bali main island for SD olympic, representing all elementary school in the island.

One day, Kecug saw some kids in high school uniform riding a BMX bicyle, then he thought "I would be happy when I go to junior high school, riding bicycle, more friends etc". He was still in 'hunting mode' of what he thought as happiness. In 1991, Kecug went to high school. In fact, he was not happy at all at first time, since he could not stay at home any longer. The school is too far of walking distance so he had to stay at a boarding house some 35 km away from his house. He got a bicycle 6 months later, a red mustang. He had both bad and good days during junior high school time.

Still in 'hunting mode' of what so called happiness, one day he saw a senior high school riding a motorbike with a girl in the back seat, automatically he thought "Yeah, thats what would make me happy, senior high school". In 1994, Kecug started to go to senior high school. The school is located in Bali main land across the sea, Klungkung. Got a brand new motorbike at second grade, Rp. 4,2 millions, money of selling four cows. Again, his days were not perfect, always side by side, bad and good days. Got motor bike accident, run out of money etc. Until one day he thought again "Maybe the truly happiness is when I go to college, live in big city, no uniform etc"

1997 was the year he started go to college, a state owned university located in Bukit Jimbaran. His good days were including meeting new friends from all over Indonesia area, no uniforms, got a new motobike of Tiger 2000. Bad days including drugs misused, lot of tasks from college, research things. Then he started to think "Maybe I would be happy if I finish the college, get a job". In 2002 he graduated the college and got a formal job in 2003, he were happy, 2004 got married. No house, less pay. Then he thought again "I would be happy if I work abroad, have much money and buy my own house for family". He got a job abroad in 2005 then bought a house in 2006. He is still not completely happy and thought again "Maybe I would be completely happy if I have my own business so I would be ready and relax once I finish working abroad". In 2007, together with his relative, he establish a small business, not running smoothly as yet but it is really a new world of hope for him. A hope of better life in the future. One day, Kecug thought "Maybe I would be happy if I have my own car, if I have millions in bank, if I can go vacation to the world destinations India, China, Aussie......if I have a grand prix motorbike..if I...if I.....".

Finally, Kecug realized that he has so many things in his mind to pursue in order to get what he thought as happiness. He put so many conditions in order for him to have happiness. He realizes that he has too many "I am happy if....", yes indeed too many if. Then he thinks that actually happiness is not at the end of the journey of his life. Happiness is in the journey itself. So at last he said "I will enjoy the ride". Pursuing dream is good but enjoying the journey and be happy at all time is more important. We always put ourselves in a 'hunting mode' and always said "one day....". Actually, we don't need to go searching for happiness outside of ourselves, or even searching inside of ourselves either. We can experience contentment and happiness by just simply choosing to experience it right now. It comes down to our attitude and how we think. It's yours right now. So just enjoy!