“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.” ~Denis Waitley
Last week, I was referred to help out a medical representative to conduct a free clinic in Mercury Drug, Lagro, Quezon City. Despite the fact that I only received an honorarium and the site was literally far from my place, I was thankful and eager to attend because I know it’s always great to reach out. And so from 1PM to almost 6 in the evening, majority of my patients were in their geriatric years; only few were in their 30s, 40s. Most of their conditions were Hypertension and/or Diabetes. We offered free consultation with blood pressure monitoring and Random Blood Sugar (RBS) testing.
I saw my late maternal Lolo and Lola in almost all faces of patients I’ve seen that afternoon. They’ve fought the same conditions and peacefully died from its complications. Until this day, there are moments that I miss them. They raised all of us, their apos, while my dad was away as an OCW and my mom has always been busy working. As I conduct that free clinic, I could only wish that I have given more time to my Lolo and Lola then. I also hope that my son, Gabby will continue his good relationships with his grandparents–both my parents and my in-laws.
All patients that I’ve seen were grateful and left our table with wide smiles. An 80+ year-old lady even kept on wishing us, “God bless you!” countless times until she bid us goodbye. That for me was one of the most priceless moments I’ve experienced; a happy one.
I came home that day with a free Jollibee Meal, tired but smiling eyes and stories to share to Tina and Gabby.
Some people say it’s always a choice to be happy. At times when my days are gloomy, I just look at Gabby, listen to his stories about cartoons or simply see him smile and everything seems to be alright.
What’s your take on happiness? Are you always happy? What makes you happy ?
Speaking as a long-time sufferer of clinical depression, happiness seems elusive most of the time. But on those rare days when the moon shines through the clouds (I hate sunny weather. :p), I find that working in the kitchen, cooking for others, writing, and a certain chinky-eyed someone put a smile on my face.
uy, that ‘certain chinky-eyed someone put a smile on my face’ statement seems like intriguing! hmmm, hehe, for as long he makes you happy, go midge!
it’s my husband and our Bea’s presence that makes me happy
nothing else matters when we’re with our family, right elna?
…and happiness would always be a choice!
as they say so.
My kids always make me happy. Whenever I am sad and blue, and when stress eats me up, i see them and their laughters give me joy. it’s always a pleasure whispering my love to them.
ahhh, the joy of parenthood!
i can feel your happiness docgelo! acts of kindness are food for the soul and heart and are guaranteed to make one happy.
thanks, kg. your regular presence here also makes me happy!
seeing hubz beside me whenever I wake up in the morning makes me happy.
Have a great day Doc G.
that’s sweet, jeanny!
offering your time to someone you dont know at all is love indeed. ♥
a simple and peaceful life make me happy already. Ü
amen to that, chyng!
i believe it’s the real essence of our profession, when we serve beyond payment. nice to know that you support activities like this.
syempre naman, dom. it wasn’t actually a medical mission but i’d like to join one too. it’s been around 2 years since my last participation in one of those activities.
i believe that happiness IS a choice you make every waking hour. The world is filled with so much sadness, hate and evil that at times the good things get overshadowed. I always try to find the good in people, events and things because as John would put it – I’m an idealist, naive person. But when depression and sadness casts its cloud over me, I turn to Him for comfort and guidance and remind myself that there is a rainbow over that cloud. (queue singing)
ganun ata talga e… if you give a piece of yourself to others its very uplifting…
Good food, having my friends and family around and John and Peewee’s hugs and kisses melt my sadness away like buttah.
hey ingrid, your frequent visits and comments add to my daily happiness.
belated happy birthday! don’t worry too much of your being 31; i’m still 3 years older than you (as if it matters! hehe)
and of course, family is indeed our source of joy; bliss actually.
i get this special happy feeling in my heart when i find myself doing random acts of kindness – not the acts that i purposely set out to do. there are some days when i tell myself to do something kind to my fellowmen. but the ones that make me happy the most are when my brain is not thinking do anything kind, but my heart has already taken over and did an act of kindness.
one special time i remember was at our work cafeteria, when a homeless man was ahead of us in line and he said to let us go ahead because he didn’t have money. i was pulling out my wallet when i heard my former co-worker (now head of a diff dept) to go ahead and get whatever he wants and she’ll pay. i know it’s not me that fed that man, but the same day without even thinking i was given another chance to feed another hungry person.
bless you more, ewok1993.
ps : can i get your nickname? thanks!
I’m proud of you doc! You’re always there to reach and lend a helping hand to those who are unfortunate ones, sana ako rin makatulong sa iba not only to my families. What makes me happy is to help my relatives who are need my help financially, yun ibibili ko sana ng mga luxuries na bags I rather give it to my family back in the Philippines (naks! serious ako nyan huh)….then pag may tira saka ako bibili ng para sa kin LOL. Sana makamayan kita doc pag uwi ko ng Pilipinas at papa autograph pa ako ha LOL with your pictures!
seriously, sardz??? you really don’t fail to amuse me.
and thank you for your posts; they make me happy.
stay infectious with your humor. consider it as a blessing.
What’s your take on happiness?
– medyo gasgas na, pero definitely happiness is a choice. i wont expound, nasabi na lahat sa taas..
Are you always happy?
– kung ang basehan ng pagiging happy ay palaging nakatawa or nakasmile then im always happy.
– if happiness is eating chocolates, junk foods and staying up late watching tv or browsing the net, then im happy.
– if happiness is living alone with no curfew and having the liberty to spend ur weekend however you want it, then im happy..
but happiness equates to contentment. im not contented, ive plenty of things to do and achieve…does that mean im not happy? hindi rin..im just swinging in between..
What makes you happy?
— next question please? hehe simple things in life makes me happy…being here and reading ur blogs makes me happy..
in my almost 34 years of existence, i’ve learned that everything has limits including freedom, happiness etc. so we have to enjoy them with utmost responsibility while they last.:)
oh and thank you, sub if my posts make you happy. the feeling is mutual when you pay this blog a daily visit.
It makes me happy when I am able to make someone feel better.
In general, simple stuff makes me happy: chocnut or kahit anong chocolate, getting in touch with people dear to me, and other things which are either for free or cannot be bought. 
same here, witsandnuts.
agree, happiness is a choice. ang #1 na nakakapag pa happy sakin ay syempre ang family.
syempre naman, family comes first, dyanie!
What you did is so commendable. We can only count people who volunteer.
What makes me happy in this kind of environment, is seeing their happy smiles and faces.
Keep up the good work.
thanks, ms. ebie.
hello doc gelo,
for me happiness is spending quality time with my husband and two kids. being a working mom, i find it difficult to juggle my time between work and family. that is why I always see to it that weekends are spent with my family. I also spend some time during week days with my family to catch up with what we have done during the day. I like reading your blog because it is inspiring and helpful. keep up the good work and regards to your wife and son.
hi weng, welcome to my humble site. it’s nice to have new commenters and followers. you’re free to frequent here; your visits will surely add up to my ‘happiness’
thank you for those kind words. i cannot agree more to you about being happy with family.
good job doc! Can’t wait to do things you do!
Happiness for me is when I can be of service to other people. That’s why I’m striving to be one someday
at siyempre, makakita ng bagong pupuntahang kainan, at pagkain na rin