NEED A CHANGE IN LIFESTYLE TO BE HAPPY?

By Nurul Halawati Azhari

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 Bernama) -- Is it true that the majority of Malaysians
are not enjoying a 'blissful life'?

Does this mean that they do not have the means to seek the joy and happiness
that they need?

According to the online survey conducted by a local website, YouthSays, on
2,000 individuals, 99.3 per cent of them agreed that life should be a joyful
one.

However only 22.9 per cent agreed that they have a happy life. Forty-eight
thought they lead a 'normal' life while 30 per cent said their life was
'boring'.

What if this is true for the whole 28 million of Malaysians? How would their
productivity be if the situation persists. Maybe the adults and those with
happy families can overcome this 'block' but what about the youthful and younger
ones who need more to be vibrant?

The fact is that many Malaysians, particularly the younger generations lead
their daily life on a strict regimented regime. The outcome is that their life
becomes dull and boring.

For those trapped in this quagmire, it would be easy for them to point the
finger at others as to the cause of their boring life.

The survey had listed several factors that caused 'unhappy and bored' life.
Fifty-seven per cent of the respondents said they were not happy with their
lecturers/superiors. 29 per cent had problems with their parents, 66 per cent
were unhappy with the authorities and 67 per cent were unhappy with themselves.

OUT OF ROUTINE

Executive director and founder of YouthAsia, Joel Neoh said early last year
the website organised "Youth'10 Malaysia's Youth Festival" that drew the
participation of 88,366 young Malaysians.

"In the festival, we saw active participation from the younger age group in
the country and they were excited in trying new things," he said.

Neoh said this had drawn the attention of the Youth and Sports Ministry as
well as CEOs of companies involved in the festival.

They had called for the organisers to look for a more permanent platform as
an alternative for Malaysians to have a happier life.

Tagging on with the suggestion, the website had came out with a way to help
Malaysians climb out from their routine life.

Believing in the collective power of the people and towards meeting this
challenge, YouthAsia had last September unveilled the website known as
GroupsMore.

The focus is to inspire and provide opportunities for Malaysians of all
walks of life to be happy and maximise their potential.

This group tries to think what the modern day youngters need that should be
given guidance and leadership, space and opportunity to generate their interest
and creativity. It is also to inculcate a positive lifestyle for them.

For Neoh, the joys in life are not only limited to certain times.

"In the survey, 98.7 per cent believe happiness is present when we try
something new, and the same feeling can be felt when we are celebrating
festivals, wedding and birthday functions," he said.

Neoh believes that such situations should not be limited as there are
various activities that could be planned and performed particularly to change
the daily routine.

THE MORE, THE CHEAPER

GroupsMore is actually for 'Groups Save More'. Apt with its name, the
website identifies various activities available in the Klang Valley according to
individuals' interest and lifestyle.

Among the activities and events are ice skating, archery, theme parks,
extreme sports, spas, restaurants, saunas and various exciting events on the
weekend.

Based on the 'buying online' concept with discounted prices up to 90 per
cent, this website also links visitors to new friends of the same interest. In
fact GroupsMore has organised several gatherings for its members.

GroupsMore can also be accepted as a website for consumers as it also
protects consumers' rights. The more the participation, the higher the discounts
will be.

It is easy. Visitors need only to register at www.GroupsMore.com to view the
activities available. They can share the information with friends and GroupsMore
will send the special discount coupons to be printed and redeemed at the
prefered locations.

Despite only being recently operating in the Klang Valley, GroupsMore plans
to expand its networking of friends and traders nationwide if there is
encouraging response on it.

Now 5,237 individuals have signed up with GroupsMore to try out the more
than 1,200 activities available that offer discounts on each weekend.
-- BERNAMA