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Recipe For Happiness

by Vidya Sury May 27, 2013 49 comments
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.

Recipe for Happiness Hanuman Temple

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

Recipe for Happiness Sculpture

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)

Recipe for Happiness Mural

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

Recipe for Happiness stuffed bull

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

Recipe for Happiness Natural Art

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.

Recipe for Happiness Campus Art

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

Recipe for Happiness Ear

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

Recipe for Happiness Folk Art

And finally, a work in progress….

Recipe for Happiness 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:

Unknown Mami

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!

Jodi Chapman Free Gifts

Have a great week ahead!

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49 comments

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49 comments

Rahul May 27, 2013 at 3:45 pm

Loved this recipe of happiness and I try to follow the same:)

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Vidya Sury May 27, 2013 at 4:34 pm

Thanks, Rahul! I loved your post over at Ramya’s!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Recipe For Happiness

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Bhavya May 27, 2013 at 5:01 pm

A recipe for happiness.. that is really cool.. and some of the artwork displayed is just beautiful and to think that they were made out of scrap 🙂
Bhavya recently posted…Your Call

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Vidya Sury June 3, 2013 at 9:44 pm

Yes – the campus is very creative, Bhavya! There is lot of stuff made out of scrap. They have a huge metal working workshop too!

Thanks for being here today!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Women Of Strength

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Kaarina Dillabough May 27, 2013 at 5:45 pm

My recipe for happiness changes every day, but I always love the ingredients! Cheers! Kaarina
Kaarina Dillabough recently posted…Broken pieces

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Vidya Sury June 3, 2013 at 9:45 pm

I love that, Kaarina! 🙂 Sounds delicious in all its combinations! Hugs!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Colors of Life

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Carole Remy May 27, 2013 at 8:13 pm

Thank you for this lovely post, Vidya! I love the smile quote! Your recipe for happiness is excellent and I love the photos of art works. How wonderful to live in a culture that celebrates art! For me, happiness starts with gratitude, and I am grateful for your friendship and for today’s post!

Hug,

Carole
Carole Remy recently posted…YouTube Channel: Carole Remy and Friends! #TBSU

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Vidya Sury June 3, 2013 at 9:47 pm

Dear Carole! What a lovely comment! I am grateful to be connected with you, too! Hugs! Yes … I always feel blessed to live in a beautiful country..and even more blessed my son shares my enthusiasm for crafts fairs and art 🙂 It makes it that much more special! Love, Vidya
Vidya Sury recently posted…Women Of Strength

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Carolyn Hughes May 27, 2013 at 8:26 pm

What a lovely recipe. Just reading it brought a smile to my face. And I adore your photos Vidya. They bring your post to life. Have a great week 🙂
Carolyn Hughes recently posted…How to heal a broken heart.

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Vidya Sury June 3, 2013 at 9:47 pm

Thank you so much, Carolyn! Love you!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Women Of Strength

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Julie Barrett May 27, 2013 at 8:26 pm

Hi Vidya, What a wonderful recipe! Love, love, love the cheerful photos 🙂 You always make my day happier.
Julie Barrett recently posted…Personal Transformation and Massive Upheaval

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Vidya Sury June 3, 2013 at 9:50 pm

Hugs, Julie! Thank you!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Recipe For Happiness

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Shilpa Garg May 27, 2013 at 9:20 pm

This recipe of happiness is so very vitalizing…
Love the various sculptures and arty work… so very creative and fascinating! 🙂
Shilpa Garg recently posted…May Photo A Day : Day 27 : Can’t Live Without

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Vidya Sury June 3, 2013 at 9:54 pm

Thank you, Shilpa! Sometimes it feels good to focus on the silver lining 😀 Hugs!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Women Of Strength

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Sonia Anoop May 27, 2013 at 9:25 pm

The pictures are so beautiful and so is your recipe of happiness. Just the end i needed for a busy thankless day. Thank you

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Vidya Sury June 3, 2013 at 9:56 pm

Sonia, thank you so much! So glad you like it! Hope tomorrow is much much better!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Women Of Strength

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My Inner Chick May 27, 2013 at 9:46 pm

Dear, Vidya,
if we all used this recipe, it would be a beautiful world, wouldn’t it?

I am grateful to to have you in my life.

Cuz I love you more than 5 ebony panthers in moonlight. Xx
My Inner Chick recently posted…Baking The Mourning Away With Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Vidya Sury June 3, 2013 at 9:58 pm

Indeed Kim! We so often have to remind ourselves! I am blessed to know you. Warm hugs to you! Thinking of you today!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Women Of Strength

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Fran Sorin May 27, 2013 at 9:59 pm

Vidya-
If I wasn’t smiling when I started reading your post, I certainly am now. You are a gift from heaven. Believe it or not, I never heard of the recipe for happiness. I’m going to copy and put on my fridge. Thank you dear Vidya -xxoo-Fran
Fran Sorin recently posted…Old Fashioned Home Remedies For The Garden

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Vidya Sury June 3, 2013 at 10:01 pm

Awww, Thank you so much, Fran! I was delighted when I found that picture, too. Apparently it is from some ancient book. 🙂 I printed it too! beautiful words!

Hugs, Vidya. I cherish our friendship!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Encouragement or Praise – Which is Better?

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Terri Sonoda May 27, 2013 at 10:38 pm

Perfect recipe! Would that we all “cook” that way! And your photos are stunning! Thank you so much for sharing, Vidya! XOXOs
Terri Sonoda recently posted…Monday Listicles – Ten reasons to make a list. Or not.

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Vidya Sury June 3, 2013 at 10:09 pm

Thank you, Terri! It has become a habit for me to think of you whenever I take photographs of beautiful colorful things! Hugs!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Women Of Strength

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Stasha May 27, 2013 at 10:39 pm

Love proven recipies that work. I need to find more patience. Lovely campus!
Stasha recently posted…Monday Listicles

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Vidya Sury June 3, 2013 at 10:28 pm

Thank you, Stasha! Hugs! It IS a lovely campus – the sort one can spend hours looking at the art all over the place!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Women Of Strength

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Sebastian Aiden Daniels May 28, 2013 at 1:45 am

I am astounded at the pictures. I have some slight jealousy that you have all of that so close to you. It looks amazing. I’ll work on the recipe today and giving big ole smiles : D.

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Vidya Sury June 3, 2013 at 10:46 pm

Sebastian! 🙂 I hear you! Perhaps it is just a question of the grass being greener on the other side? Smile you should – you have such a nice one! Hugs!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Women Of Strength

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Mary Stephenson May 28, 2013 at 3:53 am

Hi Vidya

Love your recipe for happiness. All our troubles seem minor when we look around and see others that have it far worse. It makes you appreciate each day. There has been a number of awful events for some folks in the US lately and it makes one be grateful to be spared from the hurt and loss that they have suffered.

When our world is going fine, we have no reason not to be happy. Great pictures.

Mary
Mary Stephenson recently posted…What is Really Wrong With Good Advice?

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Vidya Sury June 3, 2013 at 11:14 pm

Thank you, Mary. My Grandmother always said that – think of someone who has it far worse than we do. When very young, that’s hard to do. But growing up, as we understand more, we become more compassionate. Yes – all I have to do to feel grateful is think of incidents that need not ever have happened.

Here’s a prayer for peace in the world. Thank you, again. Hugs!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Women Of Strength

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Betsy/Zen Mama May 28, 2013 at 4:13 am

Vidya,
My recipe for happiness… friends, family, a positive attitude, great conversation over a delicious dinner! And just the opposite, too. Quiet, birdsong, a good book and a cup of coffee… I’m going to do that right now!

Loved the art by the way!!

xoxo
Betsy
Betsy/Zen Mama recently posted…What To Put In Your Child’s Backpack

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Vidya Sury June 3, 2013 at 11:54 pm

That is a lovely recipe for happiness, Betsy! 🙂 Enjoy your break! Love and hugs!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Women Of Strength

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Cathy Taughinbaugh May 28, 2013 at 9:54 am

Love your recipe for happiness and your pictures as always. My recipe can change from day to day, but when I stay true to myself, I know I’m on track. Thanks for the inspiration, VIdya.
Cathy Taughinbaugh recently posted…Relapse: Finding the Way Back One Breath at a Time

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Vidya Sury June 3, 2013 at 11:55 pm

Thanks, Cathy. Peace in our hearts. That matters. 🙂 Hugs!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Colors of Life

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Mantha May 28, 2013 at 10:18 am

Beautiful! I love that you say happiness is a DIY project. So True!

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Vidya Sury June 3, 2013 at 11:55 pm

Thank you, Mantha!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Recipe For Happiness

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Suzy May 28, 2013 at 1:57 pm

Lovely Hanuman Mandir. What an interesting place you live in. Thanks for sharing Vidya.

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Vidya Sury June 3, 2013 at 11:56 pm

That Hanuman Mandir, especially in the evening in the gentle sunlight just before it clouded over looked so beautiful, Suzy! Hugs!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Colors of Life

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Debbie May 28, 2013 at 9:54 pm

Vidya you have out done yourself again. Love the pictures, they are so full of color. (How i love color)

You are right with your receipe for happiness. When we chose these four things with a dash of laughter, you do come out on the happy side of life.
Hugs and have a wonderful week
Debbie recently posted…The Great Hospital Hoax And I Am Not Joking

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Vidya Sury June 4, 2013 at 12:02 am

I was fascinated with the campus, Debbie. It was my first time there inside – as we usually see the bazaars and leave. This time I made it a point to explore.

Thank you for your comment! Have a great week!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Encouragement or Praise – Which is Better?

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Roshni May 29, 2013 at 1:51 am

I LOVE your recipe for happiness! So beautiful!
Roshni recently posted…The deepest, darkest parental fear

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Vidya Sury June 4, 2013 at 12:02 am

Thank you, Roshni!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Women Of Strength

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Kalpana May 29, 2013 at 3:27 pm

What a refreshing post. I particularly enjoyed the photographs of the artworks. I think the bull is my favourite although it was hard to choose.
I think I was reminded of mine today _ Giving and Receiving. I don’t usually add a link to my work when I comment, but this seemed so apt. Hope you don’t mind.

http://kalpanawrites.blogspot.in/2013/05/giving-and-receiving.html

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Vidya Sury June 4, 2013 at 12:23 am

Kalpana, the bull was fascinating – they had metal scrap inside filled out with other stuff. It is great they got such a dynamic looking bull1!

When I saw your recent post’s title, I had to go over!

Thanks for being here today! So glad to connect with you!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Women Of Strength

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Jan Johnsen May 30, 2013 at 5:55 pm

Thank You for these images! Art everywhere! like it should be. CREATE!

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Vidya Sury June 4, 2013 at 12:23 am

Indeed, Jan. So glorious to be there!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Women Of Strength

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Cameron May 31, 2013 at 12:20 am

Hi,

I have a quick question for you regarding your blog, but I couldn’t find your contact information. Do you think you could send me an email whenever you get a chance?

Thanks,

Cameron

cameronvsj(at)gmail(dot)com

Reply
Vidya Sury June 4, 2013 at 12:25 am

Hi Cameron! My email address is in the sidebar, right on top under the “I would love to connect with you” social media buttons. It is vidya at vidyasury dot com
What would you like to know? 🙂
Vidya Sury recently posted…Women Of Strength

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Unknown Mami July 8, 2013 at 8:10 am

I like the last one best as I consider myself a work in progress.
Unknown Mami recently posted…On Top of the World (Sundays In My City)

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Vidya Sury July 8, 2013 at 8:19 am

Hugs, Claudya! It is my favorite too!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Herbs and Spices – Treat to the taste buds

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James Robinson August 15, 2013 at 11:00 am

Love your recipe, Vidya. I need to whip it up to take plunge into that bowl of happiness. Beautiful pictures as always.

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