HAPPY NEW YEAR

Cool cat in Brussels

A Very Happy New Year everyone. I wonder why a calendar year matters so much to us. Do we really mean all those wishes, or are they simply a way of keeping in touch with our friends and acquaintances?

Just reminding someone that we are still around?

A long time ago, every New Year, Diwali, Christmas, we used to send out cards to our friends. Then the era of SMS arrived and now wishes go by e- mail. Now it is so convenient to simply address a wish to everyone and then press the send option. No numerous signatures, no checking of the address, the postage stamp, or dependence upon the post. No waiting....life has moved on, so fast!

Every year moves us away from childhood to youth, to middle age, and then old age. Every second, every moment, every year that goes by, takes us away from helplessness to being helped, to planning a future and then resting on our laurels or failures, whatever.

Life they say is meant to be lived, every minute. Yet all that we do is squander away each glorious minute. Each passing moment just goes. "Aane wala pal jaane wala hai-the moment that is about to come is about to go away." If only we lived each moment as it is meant to be lived, we will create lasting memories. These will be memories of joy, happiness, and laughter.

When I look around me, I often see people with huge frowns. Smiles are so rare, laughter is even rarer. There is a look of boredom, a look of pain, misery and helplessness on most faces that one would encounter at a public place. It is rather sad to see all the gloomy faces around me. 

If some person looks at our pretty child and smiles or says an appreciative word, we get paranoid, as we fear the evil eye!! Encountering a stranger who smiles, is also met with a cynical look! Pathetic, is the word that comes to my mind, because we do not trust people. We can only see evil in every action. We cannot appreciate innocent human gestures. Our minds are so full of prejudice and suspicion. What has the world done to us, to make us into these fearful hapless persons, who are so far removed from the natural goodness of human beings?

The innocence of childhood, the carefree attitude of youth turns us into cynics as we grow old. I wonder why?? Is it time, or failures, frustration, or simply the realization that our time on earth is now slowly depleting. We are no longer those bright eyed people who could make a difference to the world. We have simply taken a back seat and stopped waiting longingly for our next birthday!

What is it? Come on folks, cheer up, all is not lost. 

Variety of tomatoes at Borough Market London

We have only one life to live. This is the time when I am here. The world exists for me. I was born, I live and the world is full of joy, happiness and pleasures...all for me! The world lays out a plethora of options in front of me. I have to choose, what I want. Pick up the brightness, the colorful, and the best of the lot and live happily forever. The choice is to make life happy, vibrant and beautiful. Love yourself and the whole world will love you. You will get back what you give out. Give happiness and it will come back multiplied manifold. Just share your smiles and happiness. I appreciate this beautiful world which was made for me to use, while I live here. The here, now, is the time to enjoy. Live happily and love yourself!

Look at the innocent smile of a baby. His trusting smile, faltering step, innocence, makes me realize that childhood is indeed wonderful. If only we could start trusting people just like a child, life would become simpler. Every step in life cannot be equal and correct. Sometimes we do make mistakes without realizing it. We cause unhappiness for others without having any such intentions. Let us start forgiving our own selves for having caused that pain to someone. The ones who are hurt are usually those who are very close to us. We therefore need to be magnanimous with our own selves and forgive ourselves.

Move on and see the colorful, beautiful platter of life laid out in front of you and choose to remain happy. You will only find more happiness throughout your way. Look for roses and you will find them. If you only look for thorns that is what you will find. Choose carefully what you want, as that is what you will find. I have heard of an old Afghan prayer, "Ae Khuda, Kharche badha"! This is a prayer for increasing expenses!They believe that if your expenses increase, your capacity for paying for those expenses will increase. The end result will be prosperity!

I wish you all a lot of Happiness. I wish that you only choose happiness, health and prosperity for your own self. All those whom you love will also get these by default, because your happiness is dependent upon their happiness too!
As 2010 is drawing to its end, I say adieu, goodbye,we will wake up to a New Year soon. A beautiful year,a fun filled year, a year even better than the last!

I wish you all A Very Happy New Year, full of Joy, Brightness, Good Health, Prosperity, Peace, Love and Happiness.