Day 13 - Three secrets to happiness

I was very surprised to learn that there are only 350 cases of Progeria in the world today. Progeria is an extremely rare disease which causes rapid aging and also various other side effects. Sam Berns, a seventeen year old boy is one such Progeria case and he gave his Ted Talk on the subject of 3 secrets to happiness according to him.

In spite of the condition, when some one actually provides a mantra for happiness, it definitely has to be worth reading (and watching)

Sam's Philosophy of Happy Life :
1. Be OK with what you ultimately can't do, because there is so much you CAN do.
2. Surround yourself with people you want to be around.
3. Keep moving forward.

Very simple but so very deep. Someone, who is leading a life which is not healthy and has so much
positivity reminds us yet again how fickle we are in spite of being blessed with good health.
You must see this video and hear him speak.
http://www.upworthy.com/right-before-dying-from-a-rare-lifelong-disease-sam-revealed-his-three-secrets-to-happiness?c=ufb1
Isn't that amazing, how he sees life given his condition. Unfortunately, 3 months after this Ted Talk, Sam passed away. That's the way to lead life, fulfilling right till the end! 

Day 9 - The best things in life aren't things!

Today I tumbled upon this image and its stayed with me since then. A simple line which got me thinking.  The best things in life aren't things.
It was shared on FB by a dear cuzzie and I instantly warmed to it.
Life is not about what you buy, own, possess, ..its definitely not a thing. Its all about the many different experiences we live in our life time.
It means, instead of looking to buy that princess cut diamond ring, or that snazzy 4 wheel drive, indulge in new experiences with your near and dear ones, friends or may be just yourself. And that's what makes our life richer and fulfilling.
So its no surprise that when I look back into my childhood or  adolescent days or even when beyond my recent past, the only 'things' I remember are beautiful moments, varied adventurous experiences, joyous occasions and trying times which made me wiser. But definitely not when  I got my new toy, bought my new dress or car.

For instance, I have so many clothes in my cupboard and footwear in the shoe rack (like so many women I know). I still feel as if I don't have enough and moreover, any special occasion, I always find it difficult to pick an appropriate one to wear. Some times I even forget the existence of few pairs of fancy sandals or fine dresses which lie vacuously under a heap, completely unused. So next time I wish or crave to buy something new...whether clothes, shoes, books, jewellery, electronic item or a piece of furniture, I am definitely going to spend some time mulling over it. Whether I really need to buy or I can postpone the decision for another day.

But today is the day when I will do 'spring cleaning' to discard all things which I have been hoarding unnecessarily.  A fine day to decide their fate before they get packed off to Goonj.com (charity organization). A haven where I am sure they would be treated much better and appreciated as well.

In a nutshell, the mantra is to buy fancy items, gadgets only if you must and not just for snob value. However,  surely do indulge in a variety of experiences which will make your life richer and you a wiser and a better person!

Day 7 - Joy of Giving!

When was the last time you felt happy? And I mean truly happy. Which essentially goes beyond the happiness euphoria one enjoys after an extensive shopping binge or eating out in a fancy restaurant with your bunch of BFF or experience of an exotic holiday or even a candle light romantic dinner with your spouse. In case you still have not got the answer, it's okay. Its not unusual.

My moment of happiness is when I give. Be it love, acts of kindness, a shoulder to cry, a patient hearing, piece of advice and many such moments when I give not with any expectations. It is unrequited acts of kindness which makes my life more meaningful and special.

Giving clothes and money to charity is good but even better is when you can gift your time. 
Time in the form of volunteering efforts to social organizations, towards your housing society, towards a cause for making the lives of those around you better.

However, the time I am able to spent like this is not as much as I would like to. So hoping 2014 makes me energized to devote much time for it.
Believe me, if everyone of us picks up at least one social cause and contribute their time and energy towards that, life will be such a wonderful place.

It may be saving a green space in your locality, being part of the Teach India initiative, or a passion which is dear to your heart. There can be no greater happiness than by giving your precious time to an initiative from which you may not even receive any monetary or non monetary benefit. But it will surely make your life more meaningful and make you content than anything else.