Chapter 37

Finding happiness in everything you do…
We hear this often, how difficult is it? Is it at all possible? If yes how?
I can be happy (less or more) I have to be HAPPY… is the mantra I have chosen to follow!

People were concerned if my daughter will be able to cope with restrictions and confinement to home, at the start of the pandemic lockdown. Most interestingly, she was the happiest! When asked, “What is on your mind?” Prompt comes her reply “Mamma is with me!” When asked, what she wants to do with mamma, she has a long ‘to do list’…chanting, reading a story, singing songs, drawing and coloring! I wondered that we do all of these and more even when I go to work or on a busy day! Then what does she actually mean? Is it the fact that I am around, at home, gives her comfort and assurance! And giving her this comfort and happiness made me the happiest!

With plenty of time in hand, I started planning things that I longed to do for months and years! After making the ‘to do’ list, I divided the household chores in different categories; daily, weekly and fortnightly. Similarly, I planned self care activities, work with son and daughter under regular and optional categories. I decided to connect with cousins, friends and relatives with whom I missed keeping in touch! Making this elaborate detailed plan, gave me huge satisfaction and made me smile!

I restarted writing my daily journal, which went smoothly….thoughts and feelings flowed without an effort! I felt grateful for all the home comforts I am blessed with and the facilities that I have. The more I wrote about my blessings, the more I noticed…. writing gave me immense contentment. If I had been disappointed by a particular incident or someone’s attitude, I penned down all the possibilities causing it and how much of control I had in that? By analysing the  disappointment and giving it a closure, I felt lighter and happier! I slept peacefully after writing a couple of pages, every night!

I have had a knack for singing and had received training for a few years in my childhood. Then through the years I sang in groups whenever I got the opportunity, during puja celebrations or by joining the choir of Bahai temple. Now I tried to sing a little everyday, picked up a few songs, practised them and recorded too! I started putting some effort and felt peaceful with music…being able to sing in tune made me feel good, really  good! I realised I was doing it for myself and for my happiness, not for a performance or show or competition. This gave instant happiness!

When work started online, a lot of learning needed to be done! Learning to use more of technology, being quick and savvy, not losing confidence when not upto one’s expectation….all this was a bit challenging! Thankfully, colleagues and my institution guided, motivated and supported at every step! Upgrading myself through a training and a couple of workshops seemed to be a great idea! I warned and prepared myself before doing these….’workload should not bog me down and my focus to stay happy should not shift’. I promised to remind myself that I had to take it easy and not overdo! I succeeded….I completed the training and course, felt good about myself! I was happy for the efforts I made …for making happiness a choice!

Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” – Dalai Lama