HAPPINESS THROUGH A DIFFERENT LENS

Scenario 1: The alarm clock rings Its 5:30 am, yet another day with the same routine. Mumble, grumble, run all the house hold chores, sip on the cup of warm coffee occasionally, forget having your own breakfast, wake up family with a loud call/s, say a half-hearted “have a nice day”, to whoever is leaving the house, frown and say “ I can breathe now”! Oh, poor me! The man and children on the other hand feel liberated as they step out with a thought that it will be a few hours before they return home to this ever-frowning lady called mom/ wife.

Scenario 2: The alarm clock rings Its 5:30 am, take a while to laze in bed and thank the one above with a grateful heart for the blessing of a new day. Brew an amazing cup of coffee, start prep for breakfast and lunch (the menu for which has been organized the previous night) run all the household chores, ensure to prioritize oneself and make a conscious effort to have breakfast on time. Wake the family up with a smile (remember they are still waking up and need time to process. It’s a new day for them too), hug your spouse and kids, say a heartfelt “have a nice day” ! As they step out and when the door closes, at both sides of that door there will be happiness and contentment. Will that not bring a smile to your face?

The effort of waking up early to ensure everyone else in the family is on time for their routine, planning out the menu a night before, prioritizing and making sure you are well fueled to run all the errands by having your own breakfast, hugging members of the family, making sure that your  smile or a simple “have a nice day” is heartfelt, all of this goes on to explain that , “Happiness is a personal choice” that every individual (without any gender bias), needs to make for themselves. One can never stop anyone for taking the other for granted, for people who are judgmental about others, for words that could be so painful, the list could go on, but should an individual allow everything to have an effect on themselves, on their individuality and genuity? Will it really matter to those who try to thumb down others at home, at work or at school?? if the individual understands that the answer is No then don’t let words or deeds have an adverse effect on you and your personality. Such individuals clearly lack emotional intelligence and in all possibilities are going through a whole heap more.

A tit for tat reaction is definitely not suggested, instead try and keep such individuals away. And if that’s not possible just remember actions speak louder than words and this will be true at both ends. You could chose to give them back and react in the same coin while putting your own mental health and that of those in your family at risk or you could choose to respond by smiling at them, empathizing or by not uttering a word and let them keep scratching their heads trying hard to think why are they not getting you to spoil your  peace.

The underlined statement here is it’s your choice

Try this : Close your eyes and think of 3 most important people of your life whom you love

Did you count yourself in?? If yes - that’s fantastic, you sure, are on a roll!

 If NOT then you need to make that conscious effort to give the importance, love and care to yourself as much or more, than what you give to the most important people on your list. Remember, only when you invest in yourself will the returns be bountiful.

Most understandably, it is easier said than done but one needs to make a conscious decision for their own well-being and remind themselves each day that they will NOT react to meaninglessness.

Remember it is one life and once chance. It is pivotal for each of us as individuals to paint a masterpiece on the canvas called life. So make a wise choice, paint your masterpiece…. “Choose to be Happy”.