The recipe of Happiness!

[Published in Woman's Era - Feb 2011]

Serves: ALL!

Life is what we make of it! The steering wheel of our life is in our hands and we steer it the way we like it. Of course the route is chalked out much earlier by Him. But the decision of making it a joy ride or a rickety ride, He has left to us. Let’s make our life’s odyssey a wonderful one. Let’s look at the secrets to Happiness!

Smile and the world smiles with you. The most contagious act in the world is a simple smile. Smile… and you get a smile back. Smile… and you spread happiness. Smile… and you make someone’s day. It takes fewer muscles to smile than to frown. So why frown and create wrinkles, when you can smile and flash your dimples!!

Do away with comparisons in life. The life we are living is exactly meant to be the way it is. Nothing more… Nothing less. The grass may always seem greener on the other side. But if your whole life is spent on admiring the other side, even the little greenery on your side would wither away!! Its human nature to want what is missing thereby missing out on enjoying what we have! Making the most of what is given to us would be the wise way of living our life rather than to crib for what we have not.

Shed away those grudges. Not everyone always do things that please you. Every individual is unique. If everyone thinks the way you do, wont life be boring! There may be instances when views clash, bitter words are exchanged and feelings are hurt. So what do you do? Hold a grudge against that person? Promise yourself to get back at him/her one day or the other? Holding ill feeling against one another would only breed contempt. What purpose do they serve? Just forgive…Forget…and move on! To quote Malcolm Forbes “Keeping score of old scores and scars, getting even and one-upping, always makes you less than you are.” 

Just follow your heart. When there comes a situation when you have to choose between the decisions of your heart and mind, chose the heart. The mind is moulded by society to behave in a certain way… but the heart is pure and intuitive and reflects the real you. It won’t let you down. Just sit back, go by your heart’s decision. It will guide you towards the right direction. 

Dream!! Dreams add glitter to your life. Dream on… nurture dreams… big or small. Some day or the other… dreams do come true. Nurturing dreams for years and finally seeing them come alive is a feeling worth experiencing! Life is never boring… for a dreamer!

Never give up! In your quest to do what you feel is right…. Don’t ever give up. Give your cent percent to whatever you do, a sense of satisfaction results. Sweat it out when you have to; you have enough time and more to rest once you have accomplished what you wanted to. Reach for the stars, even if you have to step on thorns.

To have a friend, be a friend. Friendship is a special relationship in life. Some of the best lessons in life can be learnt from this relationship. A shoulder to lean on, when in doom; a hand to clasp, when in fear; an ear to lend, when you have a secret to share; valuable advice, when in distress; a firm grasp to bring you back on track, when blinded by pride; heartfelt applause, when success comes your way; warm embrace, when lost in this world……that and much more is friendship! And in order to enjoy a lasting friendship… one has to be a true friend first.

Love…unconditionally! Love is the pre-requisite for an ordinary association to become a meaningful relationship. According to me, there is no greater joy than making a person happy. This inner joy comes from the love bestowed on that person. Loving without any expectation and restrictions is the best feeling one can experience! It is this essence in every relationship that is what makes a house – a home, a group of people living together – a family, an acquaintance – a special friend. 

Celebrate life… don’t live it like a duty. Face each day with new hopes, aspirations and dreams. It’s the little moments in life that bring greater joys. Look around for them carefully, or they may jus slip away. You have just one life to do all the things you want to. Time gone by is gone forever. Between a thousand yesterdays and a million tomorrows, there is just one today! Go ahead and live it up! :)

“Do that something,

You always wanted to.

Tell that someone,

How much you care.

Be generous with your smiles,

Make someone’s day.

Cos hey! You never know…

Kal ho na ho…”

This article was published in Woman's Era - Feb 2011