By Hedy Khoo

PAY cuts, job losses and financial woes.

If it was hard for Singaporeans to be happy before - going by our tendency to complain about almost anything - it would seem even more of an uphill task to find happiness in hard times.

Are we a particularly unhappy lot and is happiness so elusive on our island?

Not at all, says self-help book author and illustrator Andrew Matthews, who has just published his eighth book, Happiness In Hard Times.

While Mr Matthews insists he is no expert in psychology, he says the advice he dishes out is gleaned from his own mistakes and by observing happy people.

He shares with The New Paper on Sunday some tips on how to be happy.

Q: What is the fastest way to find happiness?

A: Stop complaining. (Hear that, Singaporeans?)

I tell that to people who say they want to be happy. But they tell me they can't stop complaining because they like it too much.

In the same way you don't have to eat everything you see, you don't have to talk about everything that happens. You can be selective. Choose to see the good.

Q: Do Singaporeans work too hard?

A: Singaporeans I meet often tell me they are not happy, that life is stressful. I get a sense they would like more free time.

You have to look at achieving a balance in life.

You can't work all the time, but that's what my wife tells me. (Chuckles).

I'm guilty of making New Year resolutions every year to work less, but something comes along and I get excited and find it fun to do.

Q: That's because you enjoy your job. How about people who have jobs they don't like? Should they quit their jobs to pursue their passions?

A: It is not impossible to pursue your dreams. You have to take steps to make it possible.

The wise thing is to learn and practise what you really like to do, and make progress during your spare time.

You have to demonstrate that you can be successful doing what you like before you quit your job.

Q: Are we too obsessed with money?

A: Money is important unless you want to live in a cave.

Money can give you choices. It doesn't guarantee your happiness, but it is useful.

I have gone through times in my life when I have had it and not had it. I'd rather have it.

Q: How can we be happy during this economic crisis?

A: If you get up every day, watch the news and believe it all, thinking you are going to lose your job with the global recession, you will become quite concerned and unhappy.

I have refused to acknowledge the recession in my own life.

Q: Are you in denial, or is it because you are not affected by the recession?

A: (Laughs) No. I do know many have been affected by the recession.

But I am very much of the opinion that the thoughts I hold in my head are more important than everything else. Our thoughts determine our actions, our happiness and quality of life.

Q: Are you trying to cash in on the recession with your latest book?

A: No. Hard times could mean a career loss, monetary loss.

But in my book, I have included real stories of people who have gone through traumatic experiences. One woman was raped and left to die, another wanted to commit suicide and there was a case of a man who contracted HIV but chose to learn from his experience.

They all chose to be happy and positive. I hope their stories will help keep people's views of their own problems in perspective, and that my book can give readers tools to help them cope with their own difficulties.

This article was first published in The New Paper.