Happiness in Hanoi

I was invited to Vietnam to clown with mental health practitioners and to inspire a community group. I had a great time and saw that it was my love that touched people, not so much the clown suit. I had this insight at a mental health clinic. The doctor had me come upstairs and I was distracted at the time pinning a doll I was given to my suit. I quickly scanned the people sitting, unsure if they were family or patients. I didn’t really connect as I walked up the stairs. I was placed in a room with a child. I did all my clowning tricks to connect, it was then I realised that quite naturally I play in a way that brings joy – I noticed juggling (kinetic), sound (audio), squeezy ball (tactile) and so on. It turned out I connected through sound, the child loved music. The mother exclaimed I healed the child, my inner feeling was she was seeing the child as normal, to me that was the healing. The child apparently had ADHD. Anyway, as I went down the stairs I saw the people sitting waiting. I went into clown mode and felt the love. I carefully went to those who smiled as I didn’t wish to confront anyone, if they have mental illness they may have high degrees of anxiety. So I ended up hugging staff to let them see what I do, then one by one I went up the row interacting, verbally, smiling, blowing kisses and hugging. I felt the deep connection through their eyes, that is when I knew it was love that connects, not the clown. It was a beautiful realisation.

This poem was actually written for hotel management. I received an electric shock as the electricity ran up my arm and blew up my computer at the time. I was shocked and cried. I went to management, there was no emotion. I had trouble reconciling why there was no concern and certainly no responsibility. I ended up meeting another guest from Singapore I believe who was in the job recruitment business. She kindly offered to take me to dinner. I was grateful as I didn’t have much money. I gave her a poem and a Bodhi leaf for her kindness to me. She was deeply touched.

For me it is sharing the love, just keep giving love, don’t worry if you don’t get it back. We are here to give. It comes back anyway in different ways. People are blinded by the pursuit of money, they see western tourtists or whatever and go for the money. Yet my heart would say to them, give more and you will gain more. The gaining doesn’t have to be money, it could be respect, friends, laughs and a sense of our common humanity.

Be happy.

HAPPY LIFE

Happy holidays,
I wish you a happy life,
Don’t despair over my computer’s disrepair,
It is only an object,
For I feel people are important.

I came to Vietnam to give to Vietnam,
I didn’t come for a holiday,
And I am not a rich tourist,
I believe in kindness,
I believe in care,
I believe in helping people
Everywhere.

I did become stressed,
For I got a shock,
And I did get upset,
But I do believe in fate,
And I can wait,
For good always returns,
Fortune finds its way,
Into each persons heart.

The world has become focused on money,
And the West has lost its way,
Where money and status have meaning,
Yet in reality it has no meaning,
And much unhappiness has been caused,
Many people are unsatisfied,
For money doesn’t bring security,
Life experience does.

The happy life is speaking honestly,
The honest life is seeking happiness,
The kind life gives a smile,
The harmonious life seeks to find the middle ground.

For when each of us give to each other,
There is no poverty,
There is no sadness,
For we see our family in each others eyes,
No matter the culture.

So make of your hotel a family,
For many feel they are strangers,
And many will come back to visit,
Many will love you,
For they will see you care,
And that is rare,
In a world where there is not enough.

So I wish you good fortune,
I wish you a happy life,
Find what makes you truly happy,
And follow it,
For life is meant to be happy,
And free,
And exciting,
You will see,
Thank you for giving me a place
To rest,
I am grateful for the space,
In a foreign country,
It is a home,
For home is where we feel,
Welcome.

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Mohandas Gandhi

“Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.”

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