Kingdom Of Bhutan – Happiness

There is so much to love about Bhutan.  Bordered by China and the northeastern tip of India, it is the last great Himalayan kingdom soaring high amongst the clouds into a world of its own.  Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness and Land Conservation policies are even more fascinating.

I remember vividly I was travelling in a Toyota Land Cruiser – one of the most robust cars that you could think about. Suddenly, (and this is what travelling is all about) I met two monks walking along the dusty road. They waved and directed me a way down the hill to a monastery.

And so, I spent the rest of that day walking around beautiful people and watching them dance and sing.  Before I knew it, I was invited to join them for a fantastic dinner. For the local Bhutanese, this was just an ordinary Sunday at the monastery, but for me, it was one of those days that I will never forget.

This morning I heard on the news that deadly rockets were fired again over Ukraine’s capital Kyiv. I thought to myself, wouldn´t it be wonderful if the whole world could live after the same ambition as the policies of Gross National Happiness. Am I naïve? Maybe, but what a beautiful world it would be.

Peace.

Song: Where have all the flowers gone? – by Peter Seeger

Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago.
Where have all the flowers gone?
The girls have picked them every one.
Oh, When will you ever learn?
Oh, When will you ever learn?

Young girls
They’ve taken husbands every one.

Young men
They’re all in uniform.

Soldiers
They’ve gone to graveyards every one.

Graveyards
They’re covered with flowers every one.

Flowers
Young girls have picked them every one.