Self-fulfilling

I get asked a number of questions repeatedly. I have been asked probably a couple dozen times if "in America, do you eat rice?" To which I reply, "yes, but not everyday or for every meal. Probably once or twice a week." I know why they ask the question. They are amazed that anyone could stop eating rice for many days at a time. Here, rice is a way of life.

Lately, the question I am asked is "Are you unhappy?" This is a strange question, and it puts me off balance. I am also asked "Are you happy when you go to the village?" Both these questions seem to be directed at whether or not I am enjoying myself. However, I am not sure exactly why my staff asks them.

In the US, we usually ask "How are you doing?" To which most people respond "fine." For some reason, the question "Are you happy?" gives me pause. I have to take a moment to reflect on whether I am truly happy or not.

What is odd is that I am exceptionally happy with life in general. There are only a few things which I wish to change (including romantic status). In large, I am immensely satisfied with what I do and where I am. I have a challenging job that allows me creativity and opportunity to explore the idea of improving the lives of others. I gain great satisfaction from my success, and I gain great knowledge from my mistakes and limitations. Furthermore, I enjoy my environment, the people I work with, and the privileges that come with being a somewhat wealthy foreigner.

Still, the question I have been asked is not "Are you happy?" but "Are you unhappy?" This leads me to believe that others think that I am not happy. In turn, I start to believe I may in fact be unhappy.

Like telling people that the economy is in recession, or some minority is bad at math tests, or that some one is ugly, even if these things are not true, people believe them and pretty soon they are true.

To counter this line of questioning, I have to go above saying something like "Yes, I am happy" to say something around the tune of "Actually, I have never been happier working than I am here." I can't say for sure if that is true, but it certainly feels like it. I suppose the most true answer is, I am happy for now, but I cannot say what the future will hold.