My husband Andy is 'Singapore's happiest person'. He won a contest, organized by the aptly named Philip Merry, that was part of a conference on happiness and well-being. Judges selected the winner from nominations submitted by the public, based on criteria such as disposition, resilience and impact on others. But as the news headline puzzled: “What's he so jolly about?”

Many people in Singapore aspire to the 'five Cs': cash, credit card, car, condominium (privately developed luxury apartments) and country-club membership. Fierce drive and ambition pervade the working environment in Singapore, so much so that friends who relocate overseas do not know what to do with their free time; they fear that it made them less competitive.

Yet Andy's happiness defies this definition of success. We are humans, not automatons. Andy works hard and plays hard, focusing on four Fs: family, friends, fun and food. He likes organizing barbecues and dinner parties, at the end of which everyone rolls home sated and happy.

A visiting researcher once emphasized the importance in science of openness and unselfishness. Outside the lab these qualities can contribute to a positive feedback cycle that buoys spirits. I try to emulate Andy's positive effect on others, in the lab and in general. I would not trade it for any amount of cash.