In Response to "Adversity and Optimism"

I may have told a little white lie in my previous post. I know I promised to continue my discussion of "Language Towards Africa" in this next post; however, I'm taking a little break to respond to a fantastic post from my good friend, Patrick. In his post titled "Adversity and Optimism", which can be found on http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhis blog (http://devianceanddenouement.blogspot.com/), Patrick talks about his summer experience in Ghana and how its citizens remain so lighthearted amidst a scarcity of resources. I found a similar emotional pattern in my summer experience in a different location- New Delhi, India.

During one of my sightseeing tours, one my of program coordinators mentioned that India statistically has the happiest people on Earth. International surveys indeed support this (http://www.nshima.com/2011/04/indians.html). Like Pat, I find it surprising that India's people can remain so happy amidst so much poverty. I think the reason for their happiness lies in the roots of India's democracy. India's people have such nationalistic spirit. They all gather around the national sport of cricket for example. Finally, they appreciate the minute things in life. People in India don't have expectations of living a luxurious life. They are comfortable with what they are given. Simplicity is happiness.