My Reason to Smile

I have always wondered what makes people around me, around others extremely happy? I figured out the term 'happy' very late in my life despite knowing and having an access to all the gadgets and tools to be one. It is much later that I realized that more than understanding the term 'happiness', it is just about feeling it, owning it and being one ! For a long time in my life, after completing graduation, having a job in hand, picking up post graduation and then also finishing doctorate with good grades, I still could not make up my mind as to these achievements were the 'reasons' I am happy about?!?!

Hailing from a Gujarati family, our daily chores and communications were more business like. Most of our talks would sound like a transaction. Right from what began a thought to how it was analysed and what is the end result, everything was made to ponder. Hence, probably the only thing I was fed while growing up is that these are routine things to do in a normal middle class family for any child to be brought up in a certain way! It was not asked or checked. It was meant to be. One has to take up schooling, one has to pursue masters, if need be, educate yourself further, etc. Why? So that you can see yourself in a job that will land up making you happy! Really? Happiness in some ways was already 'defined' to me. While I was also given a chance to pursue a wishlist of my choice, it should be only taken as a hobby not anything beyond to make a career out of, if it did not yield to be a 'successful' money making racket. I was taught to be ambitious on being more commercial than to be 'satisfied' with what my heart felt. I was not brought down or bullied on anything though. If I really wanted to pursue music, dance, arts, I was surely allowed and appreciated if I did well. But the key thing here was - You can make a career only if you have the ability to 'master' any of these skills. I was also warned about the struggles, the challenges and alike that can step me down more than bring me success - thereby not only ruining my life but also seeing myself depressed and unhappy !

I took all, digested all, worked hard on my job, became a business mind, studied well, and what not. But something was surely missing ! My ultimate happiness was lost. I went through too much and found the 'reason' to my happiness the hard way ! As a child, as a teenager, as an adult and as a person with experience, money power and a bit of wisdom eventually all I could literally 'enjoy' was the freedom to 'travel' !! :) I found true wisdom, the tools to be real time 'educated' just when I traveled with groups, friends, acquaintances or even solo ! :)

After going through a lot of ups and downs, struggles in my personal life, all I could find solace and extreme peace was when I took up travelling, touring, and trekking in the most hardcore approach. And now its been 5 years and I haven't been seen at home on weekends ! I must have done nearly 100 treks, visited 50 odd tourist destinations and picked up solo travels too ! In the corporate world while I was confidently enjoying the confide spaces, it is this outside world that I introduced myself to gave me utmost freedom and peace! and Yes, it surely made me a better human being :)

To all the wonderful people out there, I wish and hope that if this article/blog can even bring the bright side of your life back (even for a minute) then do check my blog on all my personal travel experiences across all the events and things that I thought gave me my 'reason to smile' ! :)

The link to the blog - https://blognehamehta.blogspot.in/

Do like, share and comment on anything that can inspire, motivate, and allows you to find your 'reason to smile' :)