Being Happy

There is so much talk on optimism, but somehow I feel that the world belongs to cynics. Whenever I've tried to display more than necessary share of optimism I have come across dirty looks of people. Basically, it's a trap and the people trapped in it will not allow another person to get out of it. After all, it is an attack on their beliefs and if optimism succeeds, how is pessimism going to survive? I guess in all of us there is an innate desire for being approved by others. From here, stems the chain that binds us to rules, rituals, religion, state, nations without anyone of us realising that such big terms and names came before us. Eventually structures become more important than being a human being.

Let's find out how this chain works? If we examine, all of us however empowered we look by our dressing, education or by our earning potential are not at all empowered in the true sense. Because there exists an invisible remote which is being wielded by others, name it--friends, family, spouse, boss, neighbour, fellow commuter on the road, or anyone who can piss us off by a smirk, an unkind statement or just by showing cold shoulder to us. We react in two ways--Either you're annoyed and express it on those who have done nothing to annoy you, or you sulk (if you're like me). Rarely there is someone who wears an invisible rain coat and allows such deprecating moments to slide off. I have myself felt that I cringe for having conversation with my husband when we are at home. Normally, he will throw monosylablles in my direction and watch TV (an euphemism for spending mindless hours) I feel that he pays more attention to TV than to me. In a way, he weilds the remote to my happiness. I urge all of us to get our remotes back, because if everyone else knows the key to make us happy other than we, our pursuit of happiness will be an eternal struggle.

And happiness is our intrinsic nature. When I look at Khushei, I see most of the times, a giggle suppressed. She can laugh for no reason and when you ask her, why you're being so happy, she says, " Because I am Khushei" Isn't she right? That's how all of us should be Happy. But being happy in a civilised society is not so easy. There are clauses attached to it--increments, better salary, bigger house, more loving spouse, designer wardrobe, fancy shoes, media coverage and then only happiness can be attained. But, when I look at people who have amassed more material wealth than I have most of the times they don't look happy. Then it implies that happiness can evade you all the time. And the pursuit of happiness becomes an endless trail. If we remember childhood, it was such a happy time because whatever we did we were happy doing it.