An Opinion piece by Ling Sing Lin
The Story*
A novelist is approached by a multi billionaire. The billionaire complained that he had no life! He had started his own company, working 24/7, never took vacations, had no family, no friends and no personal relationships. At 40 years of age, he wanted the novelist to WRITE HIM A LIFE. With his unlimited resources. the billionaire’s staff would create a life for him, as crafted by the novelist.
This story is far fetched. No one in the real world would give a novelist a free hand to change his life. He is likely to want a big say on how his improved life would be like.
Dissatisfaction with Life
Some people are dissatisfied with their lives. Things are not hunky dory, but if they exert effort, they can improve the situation. However they want to increase their happiness and satisfaction without any effort on their part. If they took matters into their own hands, perhaps by spending less time on their handphones or by getting off the couch, things can improve over time with concerted effort.
Causes of Severe Stress in Life
I believe there are three broad categories of life stressors:
1.Severe financial hardship
2.Poor physical health
3.Poor family relationships
People in such stressful situations often lament “I want to change my life!”
Other causes of stress are divorce, loss of job, death of a loved one, other emotional problems.
Financial Situations
Extremely wealthy and reasonably well off people don’t want to change their lives drastically because of their financial situation. Only the low income group are desperate to change their financial situation. Even so, there may be some such people who do not bemoan their circumstances, but who just accept their “karma” and their unsatisfactory living conditions.
Poor Health
Such people wish for a complete cure, or death to relieve them of their suffering.
Poor Family Relationships
Emotional issues are not easy to resolve either, and often not voiced aloud, out of embarrassment.
My Life Sucks!
I believe that the tedium and vicissitudes of life result in some people wishing to change their lives.
In fact there are many people who are not in financial difficulty but who wish for great wealth to allow them to live the lives of the super wealthy. Without any effort on their part!
Conclusion
I actually am of the opinion that the majority of people may be fairly content with their lives, and would be satisfied with just minor tweaks of their lifestyles, without requiring Aladdin’s help!
*The Lifesaver, James Patterson, Frank Constantini and Brian Sitts.
Thanks to Bruno Thethe of Unsplash for the feature picture.
lingsinglin
Dr Ling Sing Lin is a medical doctor by training. She worked in MOH HQ for many years, in policy making and administrative positions, until her retirement.
