Recipe For Happiness

“Recipe for Happiness” – the phrase just popped up in my mind today.  My life has drastically changed over the last couple of weeks and it feels as though one day is blending into another, even as I run my blender and mash things up. It is a crazy-busy time with being a caregiver, managing the home, being a clever cook, juggling work – and – smiling.  I confess it is a tough call sometimes, but I remember one of my favorite quotes “Your day will go the way the corners of your mouth turn” and I instantly smile. I swear everything looks brighter from that moment on. While I am not sure how long this phase will last, I know I will bounce back and I can endorse the following:

Recipe For Happiness

2 Heaping cups of patience
1 Heart full of love
2 Hands full of generosity
1 Head full of understanding
Dash of laughter

Sprinkle generously with kindness, add plenty of faith and mix well. Spread over a period of a lifetime, and serve everyone you meet.

This recipe for happiness works, no matter what.  No matter how difficult times are, how upset we are, how annoying things might be. Everything is momentary – when you have the courage to decide to cook up some happiness for yourself. Truth.

So maybe money does not buy happiness. But it pays my internet bill – which comes pretty close!

Without further ado, let me take you through the lovely campus where the crafts fair I spoke about last week – in my post titled Colors of Life – was held. This place is called the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath which is also the campus for the College of Fine Arts.

The KCP is a gorgeous and rustic Art Complex, established in Bangalore over five decades ago and is the leading Center for Visual Arts and a landmark for visual culture. It includes a network of Museums, Galleries, an Archive that stores pan-Indian Visual Culture that incorporating Folk, Traditional, Modern and Contemporary Art and Artists. We often see exhibitions, art camps, workshops and national level art exhibitions at this place.

There is a lovely ‘Art Mart’ within the art complex showcasing original works of artists which are on display – for window shopping and sale. Books, prints and publications about artists and artworks, published both from KCP as well from external agencies are available. Digital canvas prints of renowned artists like Raja Ravi Varma, Haldankar, Mysore and Tanjore Traditional Paintings, Folk Art, Art mugs, Cards are on display and for sale.

‘Chitrasanthe’ an annual one day art fare is a mega-event conducted by KCP on the last Sunday of January, every year and anybody and everybody involved with art from across the country and elsewhere participate and  interact.

So it was a great pleasure to stroll through the campus and see works of art by the students all over the place. Here’s a collection of pictures – so don’t forget to add “Go out and notice the little things” to your recipe for happiness.

As we enter, we’re welcomed by this lovely open air temple of one of my favorite deities – Hanuman – known for his devotion, strength and bravery.

On the way to this temple is this massive sculpture that stands in front of the path leading to the office.

Every wall surface is decorated with color and murals of deities. In this one below, on the left is Hanuman, off to enjoy an adventure. To the right is the scene from the Bhagavad Gita where Lord Krishna speaks to Arjuna on the battlefield. (Click any picture to enlarge)

This recycled bull is made of waste material stuffed inside a jute cover.  I love its pose!

As I walked on, I realized that there was student art everywhere.  Observe this tree. Do you see what I see?

Let me add “gratitude” to my recipe for happiness – I am grateful to have this place close by, to explore when I want. And capture the art on my camera. This sculpture is made of metal scrap and concrete.

So the walls have ears, eh? A hint that we should listen more?

A very life-like, life-sized tableau of a folk dance.

And finally, a work in progress….

There was plenty more – I’ll share the photos with you next week.

Happiness is a DIY project – but it helps to have the recipe for happiness, no?

Let’s go to Unknown Mami’s beautiful blog and add travel to our recipe for happiness – she hosts Sundays In My City – a fun meme that lets us travel the world together! Here is the ticket below:

What is in your recipe for happiness? Please share!

And now,

I’ve got something for you!

FREE Gifts!

My friend, Jodi Chapman – Soul Speak, is offering her new Soulful Journaling Ecourse as part of a huge giveaway. It includes 8 amazing gifts to help you live your best life! Over $600 in ecourses, mp3s, ebooks, and more – all completely free! You can download them all by clicking here:  Free Gifts (Hurry though – this offer expires on May 29th!) Yay!

And oh, Please share the links with your friends!

Have a great week ahead!