“A thing of beauty is a joy forever” — John Keats
In the present world, we do not have time to stare at things of beauty, unless they transpire in front of our eyes, during our long waits at traffic signals. These moments are also not savored as our eyes are trained to constantly look for the signal turning green, so that we can make a dash for our dear destinations.
Breaking free from the mundane appears to be the new definition of joy. A vacation to a far away land, uninterrupted time in front of the television, oblivious of the problems around, sneaking out of office for a smoke, are the joyous pursuits of the 21st century. Finding gaiety in chasing butterflies, smelling roses, sighting rainbows or watching sunsets has become a thing of the past. Artificial intelligence algorithms can recreate these moments for us, at the blink of an eye. Time has been and continues to be precious in today’s fast paced world. Any time away from the hustle and bustle of every day existence provokes bliss. Even a few seconds of break between marathon meetings at work or copious chores at home seems a blessing. People are ready to pay any price to get the gift of time.
Escapism, as it is called, is an ubiquitous source of joy. Spirituality, entertainment, vacations all help us run away from the drudgery of our lives. These momentary escapades fill our heart with delight. We start gravitating towards the thought that, the sole purpose of life is to toil hard to escape monotony and reach a state of bliss, however transient it may be.
Pursuing peace and joy in the grind of daily life has been my philosophy and preoccupation. Happiness is not a destination we reach after traversing miles of strife and agony. It is the journey itself. Just like the air we breathe and the food we eat, happiness is a daily affair. It is a form of energy that can be created or destroyed, but not found. Our thoughts, words and actions determine the source and flow of this energy. Infusing joy into daily deeds helps us lead fuller and happier lives, not longing for escapades outside our horizons. For this, one needs to stop associating happiness with material assets and start appreciating the simple pleasures of life — a smile, an endearing word, a warm hug, a walk in the park with a loved one, a moment of silence with self, a cup of coffee by the window or at the balcony, the unadulterated laughter of a little one — are all gateways to the kingdom of happiness.
Death knocks at our door only once, life beckons us every day. Paying heed to the inordinate intricacies of existence and submitting oneself to the meandering paths of life are the only ways to seek happiness.
This story is inspired by the 100 day storytelling initiative by Your Story Bag. This is my story for day 18/100 of #2023TheStoriedWay
