Buying Happiness :)

Don't get misled by this videos title, its not simply "buying happiness" as we buy some other thing from shop. It nicely shows the importance of using money to buy something for "someone else" which makes you happier than the instant happiness you get if you use the same to buy something to you (which will be mostly followed by more worry for sure). Though this talks about spending money on other, the same concept can be applied to  spent time, energy or anything that can do some to the other person. 

We tried few days making several food packets and giving them to people on street, just random people who seems to be begging money. Idea of giving food was that we could be sure they would eat it, than trying to sell it away or someone else would benefit if we just gave some money. The expression on their faces tell something more when they receive something they didn't expect, and that alone is enough you make your day. So the next time we did it, there were more energy in us to prepare those food packets, though I personally is not a fan doing those kind of routine work if it was for me to eat.

We can make ourselves happy if we can choose to take small steps, whenever we can in our own little ways, than waiting for that "one day in future" to do a big donation to a charity once we get "financially rich".

Looking Outside: Happiness in simple life around...

It was a Saturday afternoon. There was no electricity at home due to power cut, so no internet access, no TV. So there I was reading a book, and wanted a break. It was hot inside, so i went outside to get some fresh air.

Not only I got fresh air, there was a cool breeze going through... I looked around and saw, dark clouds were in one corner of the sky. It was very windy. Though I knew it would start raining soon, i grabbed a chair outside and sat there. Looking up at the sky. Just looking.

Clouds were making patterns while they got drifted away by heavy winds, same caused the 2 tall trees in front of me to swing like crazy. Birds were flying around, some got caught in the wind against them and were even 'frozen' at the same point not being able to go forward. Some flew with the wind, not against. Clouds has changed a lot now. Continuous breeze was chilling me out. Then it started raining slightly, still I was there as I enjoyed this too much. Rain got heavier when missile like heavy rain drops poured down, almost saying me its 'time to get back'.

Thinking back of this very few minutes, it was just another moment before a heavy rain. Yet, I felt as if I was getting relaxed at a hotel. It was simple. I was just looking and enjoying.

I realized I had not "looked" before, though I have "seen" this many times before. So I failed to see the beauty in the simplest of things around, may be I was "too fast".

Are we fooled ?

One day I met a person selling incense sticks near a pastry shop I went. We gave some money and had a small chat with him to see what his background is. As he told, he's got a daughter of age 16 and he sells insense sticks for a living, while his wife makes paper bags at home. He also showd the inhaler he's using as a medication, which he's unable to buy as they hardly earn something for a day's living. So it was another sad story of a man who was fighting day and night for him family.

Later I was able to go and visit his place using the address I noted down. Though I was able to find his place, a women inside the house said there is no such person. So I was puzzled, and talked with group of people nearby(three-wheel driver, auto shop workers etc). They also confirmed what he said he's doing for a living, but there was another story which they were reluctant to tell. First I was curious why the person denied he's living there. When I heard that he's addicted to drugs, I realized why the people at his place feared to tell details about him. So it was clear that someone has lied to me at some point(either the person or the people nearby). And more than anything, I was frustrated. May be the person has used the money we gave for drugs or may be the people nearby didnt want outsiders to help him. I was kind of lost, but I was relieved a bit after they gave me details of another guy who's lost a leg and doing the same job for about 10 years after he lost his job at a factory. May be that's a genuine case. I repeat "May be".

Going back home, I thought I have to think twice or validate somehow the details before blindly helping someone, even though we try to help with a good heart, it could even make the situation worse.

I think these kind of experiences should not make us stop helping people, as it is not our fault by giving a helping hand. But we only need to be more careful and focus on cases with less risks.

I end this post with a simple message:

~:> Try to help others in every way you can, even if you dont know them... Just think how nice it would be if you get help from everyone else... Start it yourself ~:>

Luxury = Happiness ???

We dream of being a successful people in our lives. What we mean by being successfull is to have a bigger salary at first, so that we can have a luxury life together with our family, which in turn we 'assume' would bring us happiness.

We are about to go on the annual trip from our office, where we need to spend thousands of money per day. At the same time, the person who works in the same office as a cleaner earns the same amount we use to spend for a day at a hotel. But he has to work 6 out of 7 days, 25 days a month to earn the same amount. But we chose to have a high standard buffet, with luxury facilities and hope we are in heaven (for a moment) and assume we will be "happy". I have really felt more happiness, when I bought some food for a begger on the way to office. The smile and the thankfullness of that person is enough to give you a long lasting happiness.

In contrast, we try to "buy" happiness spending huge amounts of money, only to complain about what we didnt get in the end.

Help more, give to those who dont have, that will be with you forever...

Into The Wild

See this, even if you havent seen or read about 'Into The Wild', this will give you a hint about the message...

Its Friday... Yippeee..... hmmm.... ???

We all are waiting till the weekend comes, to relax and have some leisure time. This is my almost identical daily routine...

• Morning - Get up late, hurry up and and leave for work. Feed the dog, (and struggle with him to close the gate without getting yourself dirty.)
  
• At office, its just work and work with some gossiping with friends around
• Evening. Its time to go home, but have unfinished work to do. You find some issue just before you try to leave, so take some more time to fix it as well...
• Take the bus / drive on your way home.. hoping to relax after a tired day. No relaxing while driving with heavy traffic, though I have the luxury to drive my own car. Taking a bus feels better sometimes.
• Buy something to eat, come home and watch anything on TV... trying to relax
• Check emails, Facebook, etc... and work more to earn something more...
• Goto sleep, and repeat the same tomorrow...

So in weekend too, there are work left that could not be done during the week days. Random work, it never ends...

Once you are ready to relax, its Monday again...

Celebrating Special Occasions...

Well, today is just another day for me. But my friends and family friends called and wished me 'happy birthday'. Actually its nice to enjoy more doing something special on such a day, which comes every year. So we at office normally have a small celebration with some food and drinks.

I just thought of doing it differently from this time. Instead of buying my wealthy friends at office a piece of cake, i donated small amount of money for a place where artificial limbs are donated for disabled war heroes. So I informed my friends about my idea and I got several great replies confirming my decision. I was really happy to see I was able to influence at least 2-3 ppl and get them to join with me to help someone in 'real' need.

For most of us living in a luxury life, its just another piece of cake. But for someone who has not had a proper meal in days, its like life saver...

I'm not just trying to be different, I want to do some good and enjoy after seeing what change i could do to them. So next time, before you throw away your money to celebrate something, think twice and use it for a someone in need.