All the known countries, where people live happily in peace are not religion dominated. And so, no serious discussions are there on the differences between the contributions of theists and atheists. No religion there, doesn’t at all mean that values are not honoured. Is religion necessary for a peaceful and happy living? For me, it doesn’t matter if there is one each to every being. Finland, Denmark, Switzerland …. Why are people in these countries considered happier? Two most important factors are the limited State restrictions and extended social support to citizens. Everybody has structured a supporting modus operandi that fits the freedom. Look at Finland. 13% of the people are single parents. There, it’s not news at all! This doesn’t mean that the ‘other’ lives hid.
Finland belongs to one of the best countries for raising children. Fathers there spent more time bringing up children. Relationships there are generally active and serious, not just nominal. Once a professor was asked about the differences in relationships and attachments. He asked the interviewer if he was from that city. He said that he was.
“Who all are there in your house?” asked the professor. “Mother is no more, father is alive; has three sisters and one brother – all married and settled,” replied the young man. After a small pause the professor asked in a low voice.
“Do you speak to your father?” He did not reply to that question. It was sure that he didn’t like the professor intruding into his personal affairs. The professor asked him another question. “When did you last speak to your father?”
“Almost a month back.” He replied.
“When did you all meet together last?” asked the professor. “Two years back during Eid.” His face appeared a little colourless, while answering this. The professor continued asking, ‘How many days were you all together?’ ‘How much time did you spend beside your father?’ ‘How many meals did you take with your father?’ ……
By that time, the face of the interviewer had turned red. The professor said, “I’m sorry …. never wanted to hurt you. Just wanted to show the difference between relationships and attachments. Relationships need not be attachments, which sometimes may grow sentimental.” The interviewer was sure to have contained the differences in full.
Once an old business man friend of Olavo Bilac, the famous Brazilian writer and poet, asked him to prepare an introduction to the property he proposes to sell. Bilac wrote, “For sale, a beautiful property, where birds sing at dawn in extensive woodland, bisected by the brilliant and sparkling waters of a large stream.
“The house is bathed by the rising sun. It offers tranquil shade in the evenings on the veranda.”
Sometime later, the poet met his friend and asked whether he could sell his property.
“After reading your introduction I have changed my mind. I now feel very much attached to it.” His friend replied.
Relationships are possible not only between human beings but also with animals and the plant world too. When relationships grow heart bound into sentimental attachment, it is hard to separate anyone from it. Let us begin a new way of living by loving more things; the happiness index is sure to rise.
