During this time of uncertainty and the pandemic, BYU–Hawaii students spoke about how they are trying to be a positive force in the world through helping others and discovering what happiness means to them.
Payton Kaalekahi, a freshman from Molokai studying hospitality and tourism management, said she initially had a tough time adjusting to life at BYUH because she was used to knowing and saying hello to everyone on her small island of Molokai. She said she decided she would just say hello to the people she saw while walking around campus.
“I found my own happiness in greeting people regardless of how they reacted. I just love to smile, and I love to just say ‘Hi,’ and ‘Good morning.’ So I would go around campus and just say ‘Hi,’ to a lot of people, and they had no clue who I was. So, I got a lot of funny looks, but I was really happy knowing that I got to say ‘Hi,’ to somebody.”
Similarly, Enoch Shek, a sophomore from Hong Kong studying TESOL education, said he learned how important it is to serve and uplift other people on his mission in Washington, D.C. He said his mission president tried to inspire him and the other missionaries to find joy through service.
“Joy and happiness are like a butterfly. If you’re actively trying to seek it, sometimes you won’t actually find it. But when you are doing other things, when you’re serving people, when you’re learning how to adapt, eventually happiness, like this butterfly, will fly towards you and you will feel happy.”
Spreading joy
Shek said he was able to work with people trying to become American citizens and be proficient in English so they could take the necessary exams to complete the process. Through this, Shek said he found so much happiness and joy through helping people. He said these experiences on his mission were the driving force behind his decision to study TESOL education.
“My companions and I would specifically find Chinese people to help them learn about the gospel, and one way that we did was offering to teach English ... to empower them. Doing that on my mission really inspired me and helped me to find my passion of teaching and serving others.”
Likewise, Kaalekahi said her efforts in greeting everyone and making people feel appreciated not only helped other people, but also it helped her find her own joy and fulfillment through fulfilling others.
“I just realized there’s still a reason to be happy because I’m making other people happy. I decided I was just going to keep smiling and being happy. I can keep doing this because, if someone else is happy because I’m happy, that makes me even more happy.”
Stephanie Eldenberg, a junior from Sweden studying art and painting, said she also loves meeting new people and being a force for positivity in the lives of other people.
“People and relationships are some of my main priorities in life. I value people and conversations. I believe that saying ‘Hi,’ or just simply giving someone a hug can change the course of someone’s day.”
Eldenberg said she gets inspiration to be happy by expressing herself through her love of art and music and through avidly listening to the words of Church leaders. She said she tries to take their words of encouragement to heart as she cares for other people.
“I believe what many of the apostles have said that it is through us that God answers many prayers, and we can make a bigger difference in others’ lives than we think. Therefore, I always try to take the time to talk to people and help them feel loved and seen.
“I believe those small acts can make a bigger difference in people’s lives than we think. Reach out, say ‘Hi,’ and help someone feel seen and loved. Be present in the conversation. It makes all the difference.”
Reach out, say ‘Hi,’ and help someone feel seen and loved. Be present in the conversation. It makes all the difference.
What happiness means
Eldenberg also said it is important to find what happiness means to everyone individually since it is subjective. She expressed the interests of some may not necessarily be the same for other people.
“People are always so surprised when I express interests that I have and how they are different from many others.
“I love spending time creating art, going for a drive with a friend to just sit on the beach and I love visiting art museums. We don’t need to … have the same interests and experiences in life. We are all different, and that is great. Find what you truly enjoy and fully embrace who you are.” Kaalekahi also said it is important to make time for oneself. She suggested taking a few minutes every day to relax and contemplate how to find true happiness in life.
“Sometimes it hurts to be alone, but I think you need to take a few minutes each day and just relax, like be totally relaxed.
“Don’t sit there and contemplate life. Don’t sit there and think bad about yourself or about anyone else.
“Don’t stress about your homework. Just find somewhere you’re comfortable, and just let yourself cool down. Because after that, you’ll feel so relaxed that you’re able to feel more emotions, and you’ll be more capable of feeling happy.”
Eldenberg said relaxing is a great way to evaluate what happiness really is to some people and how to refocus on the important things in life.
“I try to make time to just ‘be.’ I have made it a point to not be too hard on myself. I keep reminding myself that my worth is not connected to my achievements or grades. It is okay not to be perfect all the time.
“I also make sure to make time for all the things I do enjoy. And the most important part, I make sure to stay close to God and be with Him in prayer and scripture study.”
Similarly, Shek said one of the best ways to get through uncertain times like the COVID-19 pandemic is to focus on what one can control in this situation.
“This is something we can’t control, and it just came out of nowhere, and it’s affecting everyone’s lives ... But you can control what you do here in Hawaii. You can control how you stay connected with your family and your friends. You can still do the things you love, like going to the beach.
“I think focusing on the things you can control will definitely help people find happiness during stressful times. I think it is very important to learn to be grateful in a stressful situation.
“I think if we are willing to humble ourselves and also remember the things we’re thankful for, we will see the good in every situation and feel a lot happier when we are.”
If we are willing to humble ourselves and also remember the things we’re thankful for, we will see the good in every situation and feel a lot happier.