That posh apartment can wait!

Just in case busy people have missed the interview Cheong Suk-Wai had with Christopher Hsee which was reproduced in the Straits Times on 28th July, I am reflecting a bit on it. Prof Hsee says " The point is that to increase or maintain happiness, we should pursue events which are resistant to adaptation......Most social events are less prone to adaptation, so having pets or enjoying the arts gives us greater joy in the long run>".

The work of Professor Hsee from University of Chicago was cited at some length by Nobel economic laureate Daniel Kahneman in his lecture in 2002. Basically Prof Hsee distinguishes between 2 types of events, Type A and Type B event. Type A event has an absolute standard, ie. clearly good or bad for our well being. For example, a person may deem loneliness as an unhappy situation. Type B event on the other hand are relative, ie. based on social comparisons, like how big your diamond is as mentioned by the prof. He also says Type B event is hence a zero sum game, because "if everyone wears large diamonds, our average happiness will be the same as when everyone wears small diamonds". In addition events that we can adapt to easily loose their ability to bring joy. An example he gave is acquiring an expensive granite countertop in your kitchen. This type of event compares less favourably with events which are "dynamic and variable" (say keeping a pet or embracing an art form)and which can prolong the joy we experience.

Reading this article makes me reflect on my own pursuits. Of late the countless articles on properties prompted me to drop in on 2 showflats. I can not deny that the posh and luxurious interiors stirred my heart a bit, such that I began to wonder if I had continued working would I have considered jumping onto the bandwagon and then resolved to continue slogging hard for it. See it is less of "social comparison" as Prof Hsee mentions, it is more of MY real weakness for nice homes. Every time I come home from viewing an interior designer showhouse I will cast a sad eye on my abode with its run down furniture, clutter, mess and wondering what I can do to make it more like a resort home (but without spending money). If I have the money, I will buy a tastefully furnished apartment (need not be too big)fronting the sea. I wonder how long I will take to "adapt" to this joy before it fizzles out as per the prof, haha. But then again, if I have to slog to maintain this posh apartment, would I have the light frame of mind to enjoy it. See only when you are not stressed out by work, would you have that lightness and peace to enjoy moments like watching your cat sleep serenely beside you. The cat feels so safe and peaceful beside you whilst you are doing your stuff such that you feel both the cat and you are together just "being" and that is what is meant to be in our life. ( Crazy, see how I straddle between the material desire of wanting to "have" and to "consume" as Jung or Fromm put it and the philosophical spectrum of just "being" ).

But that is exactly what the dilemma or predicament is all about. For middle aged people like us who have been brought up to make sure there is sufficient financial security before pondering about actualisation or pursuits of personal interests, the question lies in how much longer will one live. Is it long enough such that I can pursue all these airy fairy stuff (including trying to put a smile on little faces)after my statutory retirement age? (By then I would have sufficient means to enjoy all that I want). Or would it be cut off abruptly such that there is no opportunity to pursue them or for that matter with health failing after retirement, the joy of whatever procured will be lost ? Hmm.... the dilemma. But of course if one needs to work until retirement, the best approach I think is to take it easy and not be too stressed up and think about how one can actually live humbly and enjoy Type B events like what I am doing now, me writing my blog whilst listening to tunes from "Middle Kingdom" and me and my cat experiencing our "being". Let me savour this awhile. That posh apartment can wait! As Vivien Leigh of Gone With the Wind said "I'll think about it tomorrow"