Happiness Comes in Small Packets

“There was a time in life, when eating Amul chocolates used to be a big deal. When there was a concept of Candy, Phantom cigarette, Chocolates, Goldspot to quench the thirst and hajmola candy (imli and aam flavour) to relish our taste buds, and drawing sketches and cartoons, one of my favourite pastime” he said.

“Then what happened?” She asked

“Life changed in the most dramatic and furious way. We grew up and got so busy. We forgot how to enjoy happiness in small packets. When we were small, we could do crazy things. All it took was a towel to become a Superman. When we were not exposed with the realities of this world,” he said philosophically.

“We are too busy running. Running from people, things, events, past, work and even for eating we don’t have time. But why is it so that when we are spilling about all this, we are feeling at peace? Why is that today even we are connected, we shy away from verbal communication?”

“Because a part of us still resides there, down the memory lanes and yesteryears. When we had no means to contact people and relied on postman, we were more patient. When people would wait rather than keep calling if you were late. We have lived in both the era and we find solace in the era where we were born. Because we are still connected to our roots, the origin of our existence,” he added.

“What is happiness?” He asked her out of the blue

“It is the most beautiful feeling to have yet hard to find amidst the maze of life,” she replied

There was a brief pause as both of them smiled thinking about this.

“Then why don’t we put some effort to make it happen?” She asked him

“Because maybe we are too busy solving the complexities of our lives that we forget about happiness at all,” he said staring blankly at the ceiling of his room.

“Perhaps,” she said staring into the sky.

Years Later

When I came back to my room, I started searching for my sketches, my HB fine pencils, erasers, sharpeners, colours fervently.

She interrupted me finding me restless. “What are you searching for?”

“My sketches and my accessories. Once more, I want to give time to my hobbies. I am fed up with this virtual life and task. Sometime, I feel, I have forgotten to write and sketch” I told my wife.

“Ouch, I sold them. I thought it was useless. Our kids grew and moved and that space remained unutilized.” She said in a low voice.

“In spite of being educated, you did not realize the importance. I was busy with work and now after VRS, I want to give time to my real hobbies and passions.” I did not utter more because it was futile to lecture over spoilt milk.

I started my bike and went to nearby stationary store. I bought whole set of crayons, pencils, erasers, colors, sharpeners, sheets etc. Nowadays, the things were much more expensive but was more personalized than in our childhood years.

I dusted my table, adjusted the files in my office shelf and spread my colours.

My wife passed a sly smile. I ignored and told her strictly not to touch my belongings without asking me.

The drawing session was of two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening. It took me long to sharpen my skill but I was in a win-win situation. I used to scan my drawings and send to my grandkids…these small joys were spreading happiness in my life.

While surfing in my free hours, I came across a website where one can share their sketches and earn. I showed it to my better half, how I could earn from my hobby.  And the feeling to be liked by others instilled an unknown joy in me.

My daughter sent me a link which said that sketching and painting was therapeutic and it is good for the young kids and elder people, who once again become a child in their old age.

Aha…Once again, I was living a life of a child holding my colours and pencil in my hand. I have found peace and happiness in my hobby. Yes, truly, happiness comes in small packets…the simple JOYS OF LIFE.