Gigil: The Overwhelming Feeling to Squeeze Something That Is Irresistably Cute - Filipino
On one of the most fundamental laws of life: To recognize that happiness is something we must seek out and create for ourselves, instead of waiting for it to find us one day
This week we look into the culture of a distant country, the Philippines. A region known as the Far East. Actually, we have to question, "Why Fat East? Far from what and to whom?"
Of course, according to the western world, which is considered a reference point for many things in the world, specifically America, this sounds logical because the United States is the world's largest economy, but it's also weird because, if you live in Vietnam, for example, Japan is not far away. However, from a practical point of view, naming anything is useful. At least when we say "the Far East," we all know whose countries we're talking about, right?
Our word is from the Far East, but the emotion it gives us is not far away; it makes us all grin instantaneously, even the hardest ones. Imagine a baby, at its most innocent, trying to communicate with you through the world's broadest and most generous smile. It's cute and naive, hasn't taken any responsibility yet, hasn't committed anything wrong, lives with extremely limited knowledge, and can barely get through a day without the assistance of an adult. What's your first emotion? Of course, you can hardly keep yourself from squeezing his cheeks or hugging him instantly. This emotion is known as gigil in Filipino.
It's one of the world's happiest and most loving words, as well as the most natural. You would assume that a society with such a word in their language would be cheerful and loving, and that those people would freely express their affection. So they have a culture that isn't hesitant to express themselves. Another example of the fact that a community's language reveals a great deal about its culture and traits.
Also, this is a reminder of a quite important fact from “the rules of life.”
Happiness is hidden in the simplest of things.
Looking at a baby or a puppy, taking care of your own child, planting a seed, taking a beautiful photo or looking at one that someone else has taken, recalling a beautiful memory, listening to a song, making yourself a flavorfull coffee in the morning, smiling at yourself in the mirror, reading a good story, sending someone a postcard, saying a sincere good morning to someone, cooking your favorite meal, or even better, cooking your favorite meal for someone you love, saying a few kind words to your plant while watering it, dancing around the house by yourself, saying a few words of praise for a colleague's work, learning a new and thought-provoking word.
None of these things are difficult, far-fetched, or even incredibly possible. We may do some of them every day, but we may also do them without giving them enough importance. Just for the sake of it, without feeling it, just to get it done. But imagine if we did them all justice; we could make ourselves happy many times over. What a great gift we would be giving ourselves!
Gigil is a beautiful word; its pronunciation sounds funny, but its meaning is full of happiness and love. Now that you have read this article so far, you can use it as a reason or an excuse to give yourself these beautiful feelings. I think it sounds like a good idea. What do you think?
I've already done a few things. When I watered my Benjamin plant, I told it how much I loved it, and as I began writing this essay, the delightful fragrance of coffee flooded my kitchen, which was enough to make me happy just to sit down at the table and write. When I finish writing, I'll make dinner for my husband and son, which I'm sure will be great. But the day hasn't ended yet. I'll read at least one good story and perhaps watch a decent movie. I'm even listening to a superb jazz album while writing these paragraphs. I even went to see my sister and tickled my nephew, who is one of the cutest children in the world, and we had a wonderful laugh together, so I giggled.
But as the day goes on, there are many more opportunities to make myself happy.
Before I finish, I have one last word that I think everything would be incomplete if I didn't say it.
Happiness, like many things, is something that requires effort. Waiting to be happy can take a lifetime, whereas making ourselves happy is something we can do at any moment, and I guarantee that we can definitely achieve it.
I wish everyone cheerful days full of opportunities to make themselves happy.
Till next week,
— Gulsun
Thank you for taking the time to accompany me in the story of a new word. Every word of the world’s languages is also ours, belonging to humanity while giving us an essence of the culture in which it was rooted.
We are made of stories—that is, of words.
Thank you so much, Christine!