Someone asked if Cubans are happy—the answer is “Yes.” Many of my photographs reveal them smiling for no particular reason. Are they content? The answer is “No”.
Meager government salaries and very low pensions do not allow Cubans to have many possessions. When some Cubans could leave Cuba for the United States in the 80’s, those who chose to stay pelted them with eggs. Now those who stayed are very happy to receive any help from their “rich” relatives. When the Cuban government gave the Cuban people the opportunity to have their own small enterprises, they opened stores, and even restaurants (sometimes in doorways, many started having prepared food in their kitchens).
For tourists, there are many well-decorated establishments with good food; many restaurants and hotels are joint ventures between the Cuban government and foreign companies. Despite the exodus, Havana’s population is between 2.5 and 3.1 million; the streets are full not only with tourists, but also, with locals who stand in line to buy ice cream or a pizza from these tiny doorway enterprises. And it seems, everyone is happy.
When I photographed people in Cuba, and they noticed me, they would both pose and smile, or I would just smile at them with a thumbs up. Their response was always “Muchas gracías”. I showed them the image I took on my camera’s display screen, and they seemed even happier. Some asked for money, so I either did not photograph them or I gave them my camera to photograph me and asked them for the dollar. This trick made instant friends and afterwards they posed for me with pleasure. To make them more relaxed, I sometimes stick out my tongue or make faces to get back a lot of laughter.
There is a chapter in the great book, “Psycho-Cybernetics” by Dr. Maxwell Maltz, titled “Happiness Does Not Lie in the Future, But in The Present”.
“When one problem is solved, another appears to take its place. Life is a series of problems. If you are to be happy at all, you must be happy – period! Not happy ‘because of’.”
Who cares if I am happy or not? Well according to Dr. Maltz, “Happiness is good medicine.” He writes, “We think better, perform better, feel better, and are healthier when we are happy. Even our physical sense organs work better.”
Choose to be happy.
To learn what happiness is, just take a look at my photos from Havana. Or even better, visit the country to find out for yourself. Read Dr. Maltz’s book to find out, “How to Learn the Happiness Habit”—and of course, buy my bookSoy Cubano.
On my end, I will help you, your family, friends, and co-workers to be happy by finding mortgage solutions—AND bring a smile to your face by sharing my photo images.
Become Happy, Be Happy, Stay Happy!
P.S.
You can see more images of beautiful people in Cuba (and buy the book, Soy Cubano) on my website.
DO NOT KEEP ME AS A SECRET.
SMILE AND PLEASE SHARE IT WITH A FRIEND