Do whatever makes you happy

I was reading a real life story of an Indian girl. When the collector of Bilaspur, Dr. Sanjay Alang arrived at the Central Jail for detention, he saw a 6-year-old girl weeping with her father. On being asked, it is found that the convict is a prisoner in a crime, this is his daughter. Sentenced to 5 years, 5 years in jail. This girl’s mother died when she was 15 days old. There was no one in the house to raise. So she has to stay in the jail with her father. Collector Sir took her in his car, went from prison to school himself. Admitted to the Jain International School in the city. He arranged her stay in the school hostel. Special caretakers have also been arranged for taking care of her. Collector Sir himself will bear all the expenses. This warmed my heart so much and it made me very happy reading this inspirational story.

I don’t aspire for what I don’t have and perhaps can’t have and make that a condition for my happiness. Instead I take stock of what I already have and find that I have much more than what others have and feel grateful. The same situation in which a person finds himself/herself can make some people happy and some people unhappy. I choose to be in the group that is happy. I realise that happiness is relative. There is no such thing as absolute happiness.I stop chasing that as my goal and I find happiness in what I already have.

Remember that our minds are full of thoughts and these thoughts are fed into our minds. Some thoughts give happiness and some cause tensions. We should correctly choose what to feed into our minds. I try to make the right choices to feel happy. When I tend to feel down in the dumps, occasionally, I pull myself up right away by counting my blessings. I have a safe roof over my head and I am assured that this will continue for the rest of my life. I am still alive and in reasonably good health. I am in better shape than some people who are 10 years younger to me due to my regular yoga and long walks.

I am able to occupy myself with something to do all the time as I write full time. The choices are wide. I remember the previous generation and their cynicism when they found themselves unable to keep themselves occupied during their years of retired life. TV bored them. How long will you do pooja path? They cribbed, complained, and whined, and remembering their past, and always sought attention and made a nuisance of themselves at home. I am not and will never be in such a position. It is good to be happy with whatever you are doing.

I am privileged to enjoy modern technology like the internet wifi. I feel sorry for those of my seniors who missed all these amazing modern internet conveniences on smartphone. I am able to sleep well without any pills and most peacefully. I don’t harbour guilt in my heart. Demonetisation has not affected me. I don’t have useless currency notes stuffed in my mattress or in my bank lockers to worry about. I have a home and family that loves me. I have friends and well wishers in real life and of late I have made new social media friends in thousands during the last year and they keep on adding everyday. I try to spread positivity and optimism wherever I go and whatever I do.

Luckily all my senses are intact. I can eat normally though moderation has been advised, my teeth can chew still, I can see, with glasses of course for books, computers, cell phones and newspapers) and without glasses when I watch a movie on the screen in a theatre, when I am outdoors, and when I am driving a car. Yes, the hair is grey but people say I look better with grey hair. The hair is thinning but total baldness is still years away. Sense of smell is sharp. Sitting with my laptop, in my bed room I can smell what my beloved wife is cooking in the kitchen. Sometimes she calls me to taste the food before she serves it.

I can still hear what she says when her voice suddenly drops to a whisper when is on the phone with her close friends and exchanges juicy gossip that she does not want me to hear. I can walk without limping and stooping. The only thing I cannot do now is to jog, dance, or jump due to the risk of aggravating an old arthritis complaint that I have somehow overcome. I have seen my parents in good health till I crossed my 60 and they lived till their late eighties and I was fortunate to have them with me all their life and specially at the end.

My Children are well settled in their own lives. I am privileged to have 3 grand daughters who adores me and every weekend we have a video call over Facetime and sometimes even in the mid week frequently just to show me their new and latest toy. I can do exactly what I want with my time. I am doing a full time advisor role job but am answerable to no one. No deadlines, no schedules. All days are Sundays. No bosses, no demanding customers,

No work or performance expectations. No targets. No trains or planes to catch. No meetings to attend. How many of you have this privilege? I have discharged all my responsibilities to my family. I am debt free. My sudden departure will affect no one adversely. All my investments have been secured and nominated in my children's names therefore they will be entitled with whatever remains after I go. If these are not enough reasons to be happy, can I ever be happy? Cheers!