Thursday, July 09, 2009

Ongoing with life

This week has been hectic and truly arduous, but that's not stopping me from being my normal self and talk in this post about the importance of being happy and content! Happiness, as they say, is a state of mind!

I am currently reading, among others, The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, which more than once illustrates the feeling of true happiness, gratitude and cheerfulness of a young loving soul confined in hiding! I'm truly amazed at how wonderful people, especially children can be in expressing their true feelings and desires!

It's really a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply can't build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery, and death. I see the world gradually being turned into a wilderness, I hear the ever approaching thunder, which will destroy us too, I can feel the sufferings of millions and yet, if I look up into the heavens, I think that it will all come right, that this cruelty too will end, and that peace and tranquility will return again -- Saturday, 15th July 1944

My rare evening walks have been rendered even rarer, but then I do not really regret since I know life has many passing phases and cannot always remain the same! Equilibrium, it seems, should not always be attained, for it brings entities to a grinding halt!

While the monsoons have come calling in bits and pieces, the rains continue to remain elusive, threatening the city's water table levels, a lifeline which is much needed at this point of time. However, a few drizzles have turned the city lush green. But, there is a certain lull in my life which is quite tiring! I do not seem to get a lot of time for myself, to think, introspect, to look up at the clouded skies and watch the bats fly to roost in the evenings! The monotony is excruciating but also provides me a great deal of learning in my area of work, which is very welcome.

Mornings are wonderful, as ever! The short walk to the gym, the refreshing work-out, the walk back home and the luxury of the yet unspoiled air swishing on my face are rich perquisites that are enough reason to remain happy and calm. I do nonetheless wish for my tired nerves to be more relaxed! In any case, it makes not much of a difference, for I have, for quite sometime now, been successfully practicing the art of detaching personal and professional lives, either of which are important I realize, if not in equal measure though.

But I will not complain, as I'm truly happy for going through the grind and coming out a successful learner, if not always a winner, which I realize is more important.

"As long as this exists," I thought, "and I may live to see it, this sunshine, the cloudless skies, while this lasts, I cannot be unhappy." The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature, and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then thee will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles -- Wednesday, 23th Feb 1944

Most importantly, my happiness arises from no association, reason or object. It is, I realize, unconditional.

Happiness should be elementary, perpetual and not associated with any material object, don't you agree?

Tomorrow being a Friday, is a certain source for some unparalleled happiness ;)

Footnotes:

The Anne Frank Museum

The Anne Frank internet guide

FYI - The emboldened italicized portions in the post are excerpts from the book!

44 comments:

  1. the best quote on happiness i feel is: tolstoy's, If u want to be happy, be.

    ReplyDelete
  2. never bank happiness on materials..materials may perish with time.
    we will realize the value of happiness only when we realize how painful is sadness..So even during hard times(it comes in every life) important fact is to stay positive...think of tomorrow's happiness..

    ReplyDelete
  3. nice blog..
    is that poem on MJ yours??

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Rakesh

    You must
    Always have a
    positive attitude in life.
    There is something positive
    In every person.
    Even a stopped watch is right
    Twice a day ;)

    (The Anna Frank museum is in my country, I was often there. ;)

    greetings
    Anya :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nice post ! Here are some good excerpts about nature and human -

    There is pleasure in pathless woods ,
    There is rapture on the lonely shore,
    There is a society where none intrudes,
    By the deep sea and the music in its roar ;
    I love not man the less, but Nature more.

    - Lord Byron

    Have you seen "into the wild" ? it has a really nice scene between alex ( chris mccandless) and his friend ron. it goes like this -
    I will miss you too, Ron. But you are wrong if you think the joy of life comes principally from human relationships. God's placed it all around us. It's in everything. In anything that we can experience. People just have to change the way they think about those things. You ought to put a little camper on the back of your pick-up and go take a look at some of the great work god’s done out here in the American west.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Happiness is something that is within, right ? What if the inner soul itself is depressed ???

    Ok, I guess, Im still in my previous posts hangover ! LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Remember Amaram movie...after reading the post fully I am reminded of KPAC Lalitha's dialogue -- "Suryan udichal santhoyam, suryan asthamicha santhoyam" --- well thats for men! and whats your quota for the day, Rak??

    Ramesh above quoted what works for me --"If you want to be happy, be" ---

    having said that, Anne Frank was a great inspiration when I read her in the summer vacation of class eight...and then I wanted war and a Hitler around so that I could be like her!! :))

    And yes, reading her made me improve my diary writing...and to look at the world through a different eyes...and she says "Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart." :)

    Nice reading this post, Rak,

    btw, having said all this I become sad for no reason...and enjoy that state...Suresh says, some mosquito injects me sadness at dusk...and yes, todays post is something on that :)

    oh that was a long comment :)

    wishes,
    devika

    ReplyDelete
  8. its friday dude...unparralled happiness wid d rain finaly decidin to show itself...such a relief :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Happiness, as you said should not be connected with any material object. It is the way you think and feel.I remember an anonymous quote,which somebody told me,that was kept on Smt.Indira Gandhi's table...."I cried for a pair of shoes until I met a man without his feet".

    ReplyDelete
  10. So far I have known is that "Anne frank's diary interests young girls a lot…good to see a difference:)

    ReplyDelete
  11. How amazing this is the second blog I have read today that has that first quote.

    I really must read the book again it is very inspiring.

    ReplyDelete
  12. first things first..BIG HI :)..its been soo long!

    so much shit (can't think of a better word!) has happened in the past one year that it has made me cynical. I want to remain happy, but then why 'try'..shouldn't it come naturally? I mean, i can be the 17th century romantic if somethings (if not everything) in my life is going as planned or at least gives me the impression that i'm headed someplace..sigh..its sad..but i'm happy for you :)

    PS: totally understand the unparalleled happiness on Fridays *happy hours*
    *gin chuckles*
    .
    .
    .
    *monday blues??* :P

    ReplyDelete
  13. The last quotation was very nice indeed. And I think one of your commenter's quote - "We will realize happiness only when we realize how painful sadness is" is apt too. I think happiness should not be a state of eternity. It will lose its value, that way.

    Destination Infinity

    ReplyDelete
  14. This post brings positive feel!

    I too believe nature is a best and I get solace and delight from nature. wish you have a relaxed weekend bro.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am a huge fan of her book...I still feel amazed how such a young girl could write such a mature and deeply thoughtful thought when she was facing the worst time of her life...!!

    the lines you have mentioned are one of my favourites..

    ReplyDelete
  16. R. Ramesh

    Thanks very much for Tolstoy's quote! Very relevant and pointed!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  17. Rahul S

    Totally agree with your thoughts on this!
    Thanks for the comment!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  18. JD

    Thanks very much for the visit and the comment!
    No, the lines on MJ's tribute are lyrics of his superhit number - Childhood!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anya

    Wonderful lines.....couldn't agree more!

    And yes, I'm sure you feel very proud of Anne Frank and her legacy!

    I've read about the cats in her life - Moortje, Mouschi & Bosche ;)

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  20. Onkar

    Thanks for those wonderful lines by Lord Byron.....which is what I echo every moment!

    I'm yet to watch "Into the wild", I'm so sure it is such a wonderful movie.....I've watched the soundtrack video by Eddie Vedder and found it awesome!
    Very relevant thoughts from the movie that you've quoted here!

    Thanks very much!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  21. Vimmuuu

    Happiness is certainly to be found within.......having said that, the inner core / soul is never depressed...... sadness is only prima facie and cannot affect the inner self!
    Do not let the external world consume you......!

    Keep the faith! May the force be with you ;)

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  22. Devika Chechi

    Unfortunately, I have not watched Amaram.....I perhaps have, a long time ago, but do not remember!
    But that comment was wonderful, certainly! Expresses the need-to-have positive attitude and unconditional happiness!

    Yes, Anne Frank is a wonderful source of inspiration to remain happy and positive at all times.......shes an icon in the true sense!
    I do not want to speed through the book and hence am not reading more than a page a day and letting the meaning sink within me!

    Why do you have to feel so sad all of a sudden......? I'm sure Suresh Chettan is right about the mosquito.....which you so should avoid!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  23. Mayank

    Fridays are true bliss, eh? There's one coming up soon! ;)

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  24. Old Monk

    That's a wonderful quote......so very relevant in our lives of today!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  25. Numerounity

    Thanks for visiting my space and leaving me a comment!

    I'm sure Anne Frank's diary interests young people alike......it is a fantastic read!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  26. Cherrypie

    Perhaps indicates how wonderful a creation Anne's diary is! It certainly is very inspiring!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  27. Swati

    Wow! Its been a very long time indeed.....how have you been?

    Shit happens for a reason, my friend.....for us to pick up the pieces and emerge stronger and better!
    I'm sure you are a better person now Vs what you were a year before....... not that you were not a nice person before......but U know what I mean to say, don't you?

    Happiness, like any other goal, must be pursued and cannot come naturally! It requires persistence and will which I'm sure you will find in the coming times.....!

    And yes.....Friday bliss.....truly unmatched!

    Good to hear from you after so long!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  28. DI

    Yes, I find it very interesting too! A lot of meaning and yet very elementary!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  29. Jeevan

    There's no healer and teacher such as nature! Glad you felt positive reading this post!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  30. Mathew

    Me too! Like you, I too was stumped at how this little girl could write so very well! It is certainly a gift.....!
    Thanks for visiting!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  31. Suresh is right, but how can we avoid the mosquitoes in india, Rak ;)

    and this sadness at dusk and through the night is not new...something connected with my birth...Sun was at his peak on March 15 of 1968 (meenamaasathile sooryan --kettittille?? :)) and when he goes off, it leaves be dull and sad...ofcourse I find ways to pull out of that,

    oh there, i should say, again horoscopical influence of moon is there...me being born in Chandra lagna...and he is good company, when he is up there..then music, and then Suresh is no less in changing my mood! :)

    inshort...that sadness is not an issue...mosquitoes, ofcourse are! :)

    wishes,
    devika

    ReplyDelete
  32. Devika Chechi

    Lol! One certainly can avoid a number of things apart from the infamous mosquito! ;)

    Hmmm....a number of things that govern us have possibly come with birth and will continue to last!

    Lets hope we all become better with time, learning and imbibing in ourselves the ways cited in the Gita!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  33. Yes, do what you can and then Shiva Shiva ennu japikkam...Gita is so testing...Sri Krishna is a tough master, thats why hold on to Shirdi Saibaba/Shiva/Bible...

    but then tests in life are to be taken== I take it, never have the habit of avoiding..facing life's complexities is more fun for me!:)

    (Vazhiye pona vayyaveli okke ethudu pidikkum eenu saaram! :))

    wishes,
    devika

    ReplyDelete
  34. Devika Chechi

    I quite agree that Sri Krishna is a tough teacher.....but the lessons remain etched forever!

    Perhaps it is destined that way, for it to be tough and to make a lasting learning lesson!

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  35. hey great post! kinda reminds me of Tolstoy's quote.. if you wanna be happy then just be.

    I have been wanting to read Anne Franks's diary for quite sometime now...i guess i always feel a little lazy to go and buy the book...but after reading the tiny preview that u put here im gonna do it as fast as possible!!

    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Rakesh...having said that, let me ask you..you seen Anbe Sivam??

    that has the essence of how and what it means to love us and others...and how magical things could be if we learn to take the pain,

    watch it...and one more, more often than not people talk as if didn't you have one experience, then why not learn to take care of yourself-- as if taking care of oneself is what life is about

    i think, test and experiences are given to take on more...to be more open with life and people...

    anyway, as we move on we should only add value, not lose it! :)

    devika

    ReplyDelete
  37. Jeet

    Good to see you here after long!

    Your are the second person who has quoted Tolstoy here.....Ramesh being the 1st!

    A very relevant and pointed quote I must say!

    Do get urself a copy of Anne Frank's work.....for it is a wonderfully well written piece of work! Certainly a collectible!

    Glad that you liked this post! Do visit often!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  38. Devika Chechi

    No, I have not watched Anbe Sivam! I will watch it at the next available opportunity!

    Thanks very much for recommending it to me.

    Yes, I agree with your thoughts that "as we move on we should only add value, not lose it!"

    Very well said, appreciate the thought!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

    ReplyDelete
  39. Yes you are right, happiness should be unconditional.
    I have felt it a lot of times, without any reason whatsoever I am just happy.
    I feel good, those are the best days.
    although a Sunday does make me sulky... because its Monday the next day!
    ;)

    ReplyDelete