Just a couple of days more and many of us will get busy in greeting each other and exchanging wishes for a happy new year. I have taken after my high school teacher who disliked being wished Happy Teachers’ Day on 5th September saying it was up to us, her students, to do something to make it a happy day for her, our teacher. Applying the concept, I believe mere words or wishes don’t make me happy. It is for me to choose to be happy in a given situation; greetings only spread cheer and positiveness.
Not always do we have to force ourselves to choose
to be happy. As humans, we have ample opportunities for – and are capable of – creating
situations or proactively doing something, to ensure happiness for ourselves. Children
choosing to play a game of their liking, adults indulging in parties to
commemorate an occasion, spending time with pets or even traveling out are only
a few of the countless examples of how we use our freedom to make happiness
happen.
Looking back this year, I found I voluntarily did many things which made me happy and resulted in rich rewards like good health, new friends, continuing joy and even money!!!
In January 2023 I signed up for a fitness initiative launched by my workplace. It was for a limited period of 2 months only, but it started my fitness journey and took it to a totally another level. I ranked 6th and won a prize of 5000/- in the Beginner (walking) category. Later in the year, in November month I participated in a breast cancer awareness marathon, ended up 2nd Runner-up and won a prize money of Rs.2000/-. It was MY willingness to participate, and sincere efforts that got me all the above.
I visited Navadarshanam, a vegan nature resort in Tamil Nadu, just on the outskirts of Bangalore, 3 times this year, only for the sumptuous vegan and organic food and the green surroundings which suit both my body and mind so well. Each time I return, I plan for the next visit. I made friends with people who believe in a vegan lifestyle just like I do.
My blood check-up in July showed my cholesterol level had visibly reduced from what it was last year – thanks to brisk walking for the last several months. Giving gives inexplicable joy. I donated blood in September and my haemoglobin was a whopping 14.4 g/dl – evidently an outcome of my vegan diet and regular walking/jogging. My sacrifice of unhealthy foods, and sticking to a strict whole food plant-based diet paid rich dividends.
Yet, what stands out from my happiness experiences in 2023 is my trip to Aamchi Mumbai during Dussehra in October 2023 – stayed with total strangers, pursued my fitness goal with walking, met some reel/real heroes on my walks. Mumbai trip was a reward I gave myself and I am happy for it. I made some great friends who changed my perception of relationships and life itself. (This calls for a dedicated post altogether, to follow soon). However, again, it was MY readiness to travel by bus and local trains which yielded such positive effects.
I hope to have conveyed the message that happiness is for us to find by ourselves. Greetings and good wishes convey good vibes but it is for me to step out, make the necessary efforts and win happiness for myself.
After all, I wish happiness to all – may God be with us always.
