A choice between promotion and happiness.

This morning an old friend told me about a specialist gynecologist he once knew.

About thirty-five years ago this gynecologist worked in the General Hospital in Alor Star. He was so good at his job that soon everyone knew about his capability. Praise came from all quarters. He did his job exceedingly well and such was his reputation that people in the capital of Kuala Lumpur soon knew about him.

At that time most of the well known personalities and prominent people in all circles were situated in the capital. So it was that they wanted him there. To get him transferred there they decided to give him a promotion.

Now all of us would have jumped for joy at the prospect of being promoted. Did I hear somebody say 'No!'. Well, that guy is no natural human being. But then some of us might not have thought of being transferred to another place, even though that is the place to rub shoulders with the rich and famous, a desirable idea.

And this gynecologist is one such guy. He might want the promotion but definitely not the transfer. You see, he was a happy man with his family and the small number of close friends that make his life wonderful. With them around, there was nothing else he needed. He was satisfied with whatever he had.

To transfer him was to uproot him from the comfortable environment he has established. With his close friends and family, he knew he was fully acceptable in the jokes he made, the subjects they discuss, the behaviour and mannerisms, the way he dressed and the casual manner he goes about with his life. He also had his sense of usefulness and respect while basking in the praise they bestowed upon his person and his professional career.

According to him all that happiness was worth much more than any promotion which required him to be cast into an uncertain place where happiness could be a question mark especially when he might have to kowtow to others and follow the directions and demands of people who most probably demand respect even when it is not due to them. Furthermore, he was not poor and so in his priority, happiness came before promotion.

Anyway that decision of forgoing the promotion won the respect and praise from the friend who told me this story. After all, as my friend would tell you, happiness is anytime more important than money. Of course, there was be a minimum amount to live on to be happy. But we certainly do not need huge sums of it.