SINGAPORE: Their Secret To Happiness

All finalists were very comfortable with themselves: Judge

SINGAPORE (Today), April 15, 2008:

ASK Ms Zaibun Siraj, 61 — named one of Singapore’s happiest people — what makes her most happy and she tells you readily: Making others happy.

SMILING TO THE TOP: The four happiest people in Singapore are (clockwise from top left) Ms Zaibun Siraj, Mr Andy Goh, Ms Stella Fernandez and Mr Ng Chai Lee. Don Wong

In fact, Ms Zaibun is spreading her recipe for joy with her book: Zany, Zeal, Zest and Zing: The Z way to happiness, which was launched early this month.

Shortlisted in the Global Leadership Academy’s search for the happiest Singaporean, Ms Zaibun, a training consultant in Ngee Ann Polytechnic, is among the 207 contestants who were nominated by their family, friends and even strangers.

“It’s the little things in life, such as taking a walk, giving a gift and being with friends, that brings happiness,” says Ms Zaibun, who is a great believer in writing cards to thank and compliment people and doing volunteer work.

Ms Zaibun, who was the president for the Association of Women for Action and Research from 1996 to 1998, is a member in the National Youth Achievement Award Council.

One of the judges, Mr John Bittleston, author and business mentor, said that a common denominator he found in all the shortlisted finalists was that they were all comfortable with themselves.

The other finalists are Mr Ng Chai Lee, 61, a record keeper at the Marine Parade polyclinic; Ms Stella Fernandez, 43, a patient transport assistant in KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital; and Mr Andy Goh, 35, a manager. Mr Ng, who is also the treasurer in the McPherson Residential Committee where he has served for over 30 years, was nominated by his colleague, Ms Lilian Quek, a staff nurse at his polyclinic.

“He is the happiest man I have come across in my 38 years of work in various multinational companies, hospitals and health clinics,” said Ms Quek, 56. “Even when he is on annual leave, his name gets mentioned by colleagues almost every day.”

Singapore’s Happiest Person will be announced on Thursday at The New Science of Happiness and Well-being Conference which starts tomorrow at the Singapore Expo and Convention Centre.

JINNY KOH
Copyright ©2005 MediaCorp Press Ltd
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Seniors World Chronicle adds

ZANY, ZEAL, ZEST AND ZING
The Z Way to Happiness

by Zaibun (Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore)

Written in a pragmatic, yet inspirational style, this book provides relevant and useful information on happiness. It includes a brief history of happiness and motivates readers to apply strategies related to happiness in their day-to-day life. It also discusses the benefits of being happy and the consequences of being unhappy. The strategies are listed under the headings — Zany, Zeal, Zest and Zing. Each chapter is unique and will be of great interest to readers.

Contents:
Happiness is a Serious Matter
What is Happiness?
Be Zany
Apply Zeal
Have Zest
Put Zing into Your Life

116pp
Pub. date: Mar 2008
ISBN 978-981-279-350-8(pbk)
981-279-350-X(pbk)
US$22 / £12