The Happiest Lady in the World

It was our second day of Mindfulness Training. The autumn had rapidly given way to winter in the bamboo forest mountains. We donned gloves, scarfs and hats as we mounted the three wheeled tractor that was to take us up to the summit of the mountain. As we wound around the mountain road the temperature seemed to drop with each meter we climbed. Suddenly the motorcycle tractor came to an abrupt holt. The bitumen had come to an end and the dirt track was mud and slush from heavy icy rains the day before. We all got out to push the tractor through the mud. My attention was diverted to a small stone house with its occupants now curiously looking at us guys and girls seemingly in position for a rugby “scrum”. Lijuan, our team guide, had gone up the path to chat to them. “They are inviting us in for hot tea!”, called Lijuan. This seemed a far more sensible thing to do so we made our way up to the humble hut. It was a small hut typical of this mountain area of China. I must have past it many times before but had not really noticed it as it was set off the road a little.

Inside the hut was an inviting charcoal fire in the centre. We gathered around warm our numbed hands. I looked up to notice an old lady inviting me to sit down. He face was a smile for ear to ear. As she prepared and poured hot local tea she beamed an infectious laugh. We couldn’t help ourselves laughing with her. Her invitations were interpreted by Lijuan to Jin Jin as she spoke a local dialect which Lijuan translated into Mandarin then Jin translating into English for us. The old happy lady offered us nuts and dried sweet potato. Soon we were joined by her husband and other local villagers. Communication seems to happen rapidly in these remote parts as our presence was announced!



I could not help wanting to ask her the reason for her high pitched laughter and beaming smiles. After the dual interpreting came a response: “Oh! I am happy here. We came here five years ago from the town. In the town we had no work so we came here to grow vegetables.” “But what makes you happy?” I inquired further? “I have never thought about it” came the lady with a giggle. “Are there times when you struggle or are sad?” I asked digging for the deeper meaning. “Oh! (a very big raucous laugh!) I have never thought about it. I never think very much. I just watch my vegetables grow, work the soil, and drink some tea. Maybe you think too much! Now have some more tea.” We all laughed. I felt a tad embarrassed and at the same time extremely humbled.

Earlier that morning in our Training we talked about the Mind pulling us into our thinking self. That same morning we had met the happiest lady on earth. Her recipe? Don’t think too much. Just observe, work and enjoy tea and don’t let the mind get in the way. Too simple? Maybe. However, the lesson was powerful – from the happiest lady in the world.