Swamiji said…
” Life is a constant struggle for most people, irrespective of the strata of society to which they could belong. The only factor constant in their lives could be struggle.Some struggle to cater for their next meal. Some struggle to meet their childrens’ or family’s needs; and yet others struggle with one, or, many of the other numerous aspects of life; ranging from professional, societal to financial etc.
This struggle is never really over as once one target is achieved, the struggle for the next begins. All this is bound to leave wear and tear on the mind and spirit. But, in the midst of meeting the challenges of life, have we forgotten to smile, be happy and take pleasure in the sights and sounds that surround us? ” Zindagi ki raftaar mein daudte daudte kya hum ‘khush’ rehna bhool gaye hain? Choti choti cheezon mein khushi dekhna band kar diya hai kya hum ne? “
” Man and society are guilty, at large , for equating happiness only with achievement. To get that coveted promotion, to hold a to-die-for degree in hand ; acquire a new luxurious penthouse; see a big payday; apparently are great providers of happiness and all these acquisitions and achievements are celebrated with parties and announced to the world through social media posts. But, we need to remember that such achievements and celebratory moments are bound to be few. So, will we be happy only on such momentous days and sad and morose on other regular, normal days? Even Alexander, the Great, was unable to conquer a new country every other day.”
“Thus, the long span of struggle to ‘unlock’ our next achievement is mostly devoid of any joy, as we seem to have trained ourselves, to focus only on the goal, and , not take a break till we reach that goal. Thus, it is not uncommon for people to feel unhappy and depressed in life. After all, such a lifestyle, adopted by many, is akin to a journey through a desert with no respite from the heat.”
” Yet, from the old travellers we must learn. They too were intent on reaching their destination; but that did not stop them from sipping water and taking a rest at the oasis.
Our lives too has such oases.We only have to learn to see them and enjoy them. Simple things in life should be enjoyed the most as they alone give us genuine happiness. ‘Jo khushi ugte hue suraj ko dekhte huey milti hai, uski kirne raat ke andhere ko prakashit karte huey, woh kshan ki khushi anmol hoti hai.’ ‘Purnima’ ke ‘chand’ ki sundarta aur shitalta ko dekhte huey… jharno aur nadiyon ko naye raaste banate huey dekhte huey, hummey aulokik anand aur prerna bhi milti hai!’ So would savouring a meal, cooked by a loved one, lovingly for us make us happy. Laughing at silly jokes with our colleagues or family. Catching up with old friends…’Doosron ki khushi mein khush ho…’ Enjoying the spectacular sunrise or sunset. Watching the trees sway in the wind. Waking up to the chirping of birds. All these delightful interactions and visuals provide us with priceless, indescribable pleasure…but only if we are not too busy and are determined to derive happiness, at all costs, from every little thing that comes our way.”
” Such natural, everyday occurrences, considered to be trivial, are missed by most of us.The reason for this is simple. We have conditioned ourselves to be happy only in ‘gratification’. The importance of enjoying the small ‘happy’ moments of life around us, needs us to be disciplined in the mind, too. Instead of letting ourselves be solely centered on ‘our life goals’, we must also teach the mind to appreciate ‘that’ – which has nothing to do with gratification of the ego and pride.”
” While there is no shame in being happy while buying an expensive chandelier for one’s home, if one can afford it; one must also learn to enjoy, in a similar manner, the brightness and majesty of the moon that God has gifted us with.The ‘samosa’ from the street vendor or a five course meal at a five star hotel and the mango plucked from a tree – all are delicious in their own way; thus, we must learn to enjoy them all, just as much as the other, as all these moments collectively form an album of fun filled moments and memories. And, It is only then, that we will be able to enjoy the ‘small’ things in life that God gives us to help us ‘struggle’ happily on in life.”
“If we think that money, property and horrendously expensive acquisitions alone can make us happy, we are sadly mistaken, as, though they might give us momentary pleasure on possessing them, ‘nothing’ can make us ‘truly’ happy, unless our ‘soul’ smiles genuinely from within us. And the ‘atman’s’ happiness is in no way dependent on the statement of our hefty bank account or a locker overflowing with gems; but it is the happiest on seeing the glorious sights of nature, marvelling at His creations, which are provided in equal measure to each one of us, free of cost. But then are we willing to be happy? The choice is ours to make.”
” Wise men say –
‘Man, when he plans ; God, He then laughs…’ Thus, we must make it a habit to find happiness in every unplanned, living, present moment that God blesses us with in abundance. It is we, who need to ‘open’ our ‘sleeping’ eyes, to embrace every such moment with delight, and, be thankful to Him, with a heart filled with gratitude for His wondrous ways …’ Hummey sada ‘khush rakhne ke liye !”