Happiness is a voyage, not a destination. Find out the ‘The’

It was one of those sweet moments which came after a long time for me. I was on a 2 days off again. It’s not that I don’t take leave but this time it was a little different. I had gone to Deoghar to my parents on their memorable wedding anniversary. Instead of celebrating with tens of people we decided to be with god & nature. We moved to Parasnath. I have been there so many times but this time it was after a gap of 4 years. I felt again that it’s one of the most beautiful places I would ever visit in my life. Parasnath is considered one of the most auspicious places for Jains. Few people also call it the Macca of Jains, no wonder why. The atmosphere, the scenery, the peace, the excitement all grips you so much that you feel you have suddenly come to heaven.

We decided to go by road and the journey was a mere 2.5 hours long. But for me, it looked that I have travelled ages. If my memory goes right, it must have been 8-10 years since I travelled by road in such a manner. It was a sheer pleasure this time. It was summer at its peak with blazingly hot air, but still it didn’t seem to bother me much. Why? B’coz I was completely in the nature. I kept looking outside and as far as I could see it was green, green and more green. People were seen busy in their daily hustle bustle of life but at the same time they seem to enjoy whatever comes their way. They were sweating, they were tired but they had a streak of smile on their face every other moment. By looking at them one could very easily identify if they had enough resources to eat twice a day or not but still they were as agile as they can be. Agile enough to face and at the same time enjoy life. It takes great courage to live your life in limitations.

While in the car, I just kept looking around making sure that I don’t miss anything. It’s my habit to look deep and try to see the unseen, something which is not visible but can be felt. One thing I realized, again, that what matters most to people is not leisure but happiness. No matter how the life is, no matter how the day is, no matter how the night is, people look for happiness and they work very hard for it. There are few people who keep crapping about the problems in their life……..I feel sick of my life, I am not earning well, I have a pathetic family, I am not doing enough for my family, my sister has to get married but I don’t have ‘enough’ money for a royal marriage, I am not satisfied with my job, I don’t have responsibility in my job, I have to take so many responsibilities in my job, I proposed someone but he/she rejected my, etc, etc, etc. And then there are people who want to be happy in whatever way possible…….my life is great even if I don’t live a royal life I am enjoying every moment of it, I am earning nice and I just have to carry on this, I have a lovely family and they love me very much, I am planning to marry my sister next month; the ceremony would be very simple but would be very alive, my job is nice and I am very satisfied with it, I am happy that at least I could express my feelings to the person I love, so on and so forth. Now you better know which of these two groups is happier.

I was just going through an old presentation last night which also says…..”Happiness is a Voyage not Destination”. So true! We need to learn to ‘be’ happy rather than thriving for happiness. I know it’s easier for me to sit here with my parents and key in these thoughts than to go and face the various nitty-gritties of life. But still the question is, is it really so tough to be happy?

Once we entered Parasnath, we could sense the sweet fragrance in the air. It feels as if flowers are floating in the air all around and you can’t help but throw your fist in the air to grab some of them. I did. The place is completely surrounded by the holy mountain on one side. It’s tall, it’s green, it’s enchanting, it’s so close to you that you feel like going ahead and embracing it. The mountain is very auspicious b’coz it has in it many holy temples. People get up early in the morning, around 4am and get ready to mount it in a group of 5-10-20-50-100. It’s mere 27km...9 km upwards, 9 km scattered & 9 km downwards. Scared? No need to be. Once you start mounting it you forget all these stats. It’s green, green & more green all the way through once again. People keep chanting religious Namokar Mantra, bhajans, etc all the way through. And you certainly realize how beautiful nature is when it’s left un-tampered. Why do people cut trees, Why? All in all it’s a complete ‘fun’ time being there b’coz....b’coz it gives you happiness.

Though we didn’t mount as we had not planned for that in advance and also because we had to leave the very next day, but suddenly I happened to ask my mom, “Maa, can’t we stay here for a week more at least?” And before I could wait for an answer I, myself, replied…………”Aha! May be some other time.” And we all smiled. I wished if I could freeze the moment.

We returned back by road, again meeting life in its various faces on the way. I remember that while returning back, we had run out of water. We stopped by a hand-pump and I got out with the empty bottles in my hand. Before I could approach the lady filling up her bucket on the pump and ask for her favor, I could see her pushing her bucket aside and giving me the way. I can’t help but stand for few seconds and realized the hospitality. I took the bottle to the pump while the lady pumped it until it was full. I just thanked her and was back in the car. I turned back and saw her back to the duty. It was raining fire on her head and she had 10+ buckets besides her. But still she had a smile on her face. Hats off.

Don’t we all have to carry on our duty everyday but most often than not we start feeling tired? Then...then we complain, my life is not happening, the job is very monotonous. I want to switch to a newer organization at least it would give me some fresh moments and when that starts boring I will switch again. And the chain continues. I am thankful to god that I don’t suffer this phobia. For me life is beautiful and it gets better every second. I just happen to live it in the best way. Not much of beguilement but enough to enjoy each bit of it. Job…………I just love it. I make sure that at job I don’t work rather I play. And that’s what keeps me energized. I don’t work because it’s my duty, I work because it’s fun and it gives me happiness.

We finally reached home and we all were very happy about this small trip. We didn’t carry any cam else I would have put few snaps of the place here. And today when I am writing this post, I can very clearly sense the fragrance following me even here. I will remember this small trip for a long long time.

That’s it. A small post on a small trip.

Did this post seem like an over statement of a small thing?

Or, did this post seem too much tilted towards the happy parts of life?

Or, did this post seem like an exaggeration on anything?

No matter what it felt to you, for me it was just an attempt to focus on the happier side of life. And for me this post ‘again’ gave me few streaks of happiness and every time I read it I can’t help but close my eyes and feel life.

Now the question is, what is ‘The’ most important thing in life: Being Happy with what you have OR Striving for the unseen? Close your eyes and Think. The choice is always yours.

Cheers!