What makes you happy?

It never fails to make me smile when Angel smiles, never fails to make me laugh when she laughs, never fails to make me guffaw when she guffaws.

I was once told that "You have a happy baby", and I'm very glad for that.

But what constantly amazes me is what makes her happy.

Things that make Angel squeal with delight:

1) Singing the same song for the 100th time

2) Reading a book that's torn and worn out

3) Jumping on my old queen-size mattress

4) Watching ducks swimming in the lake

5) Marching 20 rounds in our house and singing "The ants go marching"

6) Chasing after butterflies in the park

7) Looking at videos of her as a baby

8) Holding hands and running around in circles

9) Soaking in the tub and squirting water with a rubber dolphin

10) Staring at fishes in the tank and spotting her favourite shrimp

It dawned on me that kids are really very simple. They don't need fanciful toys or a big house to be happy. They don't need to engage in overpriced activities that won't necessarily guarantee a smile. They don't need you to burn your pockets just to buy them joy.

But they do need love. All they're asking is for mummy and daddy to spend time with them, to do silly things with them, to dance and laugh with them, to let them know they are not alone.

Happiness is only real when shared, not when alone. Of the ten things I listed, they wouldn't have brought so much fun and laughter if she did them alone. What mattered to her was that we did them together. In fact, I guess she doesn't even mind what we do, as long as we do it together.

Simple things can make a happy child.

So sometimes, I can't help but wonder why is it that the older we grow, the harder it seems to be happy. It's like as we grow up, we have higher expectations, we seek perfection, we frown more easily, we complicate life and in the end become dissatisfied, displeased and disgruntled.

In fact, why do we need branded bags, luxury cars, technology gadgets and condominiums? Why do we chase after social status, fame, money and power? These are things that die when you die. But love and happiness, well, laugh at me if you want but I think they live forever in our hearts.

Life is supposed to be simple. We just forgot along the way.