Happiness evolves as we do, shaped by the seasons of our lives and the lessons we carry. In this edition of Five Takes, five visionaries reflect on what happiness means to them today — from simplicity and balance to purpose, relationships, and inner peace. Their insights offer a grounded, heartfelt look at how joy can be defined, redefined, and appreciated in new ways.
Question: How do you define happiness at this stage of your life?
“Happiness at this stage of my life is simply being present with love. It begins with my faith, the chaos and love of family, and the colourful characters God sends my way every day. I want to enjoy the ride, laugh more, and not take myself too seriously, especially on days when life feels like a comedy skit. I’ve realised that even small gestures such as a smile, a quick chat, or a gentle nudge can spark meaningful change. What fills me now is seeing someone light up again. Happiness, to me, is making a difference one person at a time and enjoying each moment as it comes.” – Gloria Soo, Managing Partner at Royal Consulting International
“Happiness is being able to do the things I want to do without worry — no worry about money, no worry about time, and no worry about opportunities. It doesn’t have to mean buying a ten million dollar house, a one million dollar sports car, or flying business class. It can be the simplest things, like getting a good BTO queue number, not missing the bus, or taking a short 3D2N trip to Batam and still feeling fulfilled. And the truth is, the worry often isn’t external — it’s self-induced. That’s why I believe happiness is a choice, not something handed to us.” – Colin Goh, founder of Learns Marketing
“To me, happiness now means being healthy in body and in heart. Since working on our coconut farm, I have realised how much joy comes from living simply, staying active, and being surrounded by nature. I get to breathe fresh air, feel the grass under my feet, and watch guests come here to relax, reconnect, and smile. Sharing something real and wholesome with others is a feeling money cannot buy. We keep everything as natural as possible, using enzymes instead of chemicals, because we care about the health of everyone who visits. That, to me, is happiness: to live simply, give sincerely, and grow meaningfully.” – Christine Koh, founder of The Coco Journey
“Happiness, to me, is found in the simple things. It is waking up to a good packet of kopi, enjoying the food I love, and knowing I can meet my monthly commitments without stress or outstanding bills. It may sound small, but the peace of mind that comes from financial stability and everyday comforts is something I truly value.” – Shirli Ling, founder of 8889 Chicken Hotpot
“As a YouTuber, my greatest happiness comes from creating videos and sharing them with the world. I am not too concerned about the number of subscribers; I see this as a learning journey where I get to do what I love. Being able to create freely is my greatest pleasure.” – Kelvin Koh, YouTuber (The Roaming Walker)
