If there is one thing life has taught me, it is this: Happiness is everywhere. We only have to look. For me, it is in all the little things. Looking at old photo albums with my family, singing songs, trying a new recipe, a coffee with my friend, walking on the terrace…
Did you know that March 20 has been designated as International Day Of Happiness by the UN? Its goal is “To promote happiness as a universal goal and aspiration in the lives of human beings around the world”.
How nice. Happiness is my favorite D.I.Y project. I choose it, consciously.
Happiness is everywhere
I’ve been enjoying walking all week. In spite of the heat it was nice being outdoors. Bangalore gets hotter each year, thanks to the trees disappearing and the abundant construction work. I dread to think what the next two months will be like. But when I think of the good stuff – everything looks brighter. There will be raw mangoes, lots of watermelons, festivals to celebrate, some travel and the A to Z Challenge in April!
It is also vacation time for schools. Generally summer vacation is a time when we go visit family in other cities and take in a bit of sightseeing. Since I grew up in my Grandmother’s house in a joint family, it was always others visiting us. I actually got to travel when I started working and I vowed to see as many places as I could. It helped to be in a sales career as it involved plenty of traveling.
My happiest memories are of staying in hotels in Chennai during our annual sales conferences. We’d have such fun at the resorts, experiencing fantastic training programs mixed with a great time with colleagues. It was exciting as we personally could not afford those luxurious resorts. Our personal trips usually involved budget hotels, and that – only if our family was out of town. We have a lot of family in this city. The tradition is, no matter what the relationship, if we have relatives in a particular town or city, we’re expected to stay with them. Now this is not something we prefer to do these days. I am laughing as I write this, recalling all the crazy memories. In retrospect, of course, I can only think of it as good fun. And great fodder for gossip between my Mom and I.
Now when Sury travels to Chennai he simply prefers to go stay in a hotel even though his Dad lives there. Our favorite online booking site is Makemytrip.com which is very convenient and efficient. They offer Chennai hotel bookings at big discounts especially when we book our stay along with flight tickets. Sigh. This summer, Sury will be traveling quite a bit. We’re trying to figure out which places we can tag along.
For now, however, I get my pleasures from the little things in life like a digital vacation. Still not riding my scooter, though. Sigh. I’ve got to get it serviced – I am sure the battery is dead. I am waiting until April first week since there’s major renovation going on in our building basement. I doubt if I can get inside my garage now anyway.
So let me share some photos from my walk back home a couple of days ago. You’ll never guess where I clicked some of them!
I loved the sight of these watermelons – which greeted us when we entered our favorite supermarket.
You know I love trees – and this one nudged me as I walked past.
At the base of the tree, was this lovely foliage. I was fascinated to see those light colored leaves mingling with the vibrant green – so many shades!
Buttercups always take me back to a place during my childhood
A little tank on the side of the building had this – so pretty! I like the reflections on the water.
Can you guess where these photos may be from? They are from the front yard of our Traffic Police Station! Indeed, happiness is everywhere!
And – I end the day looking at these skies. Summer skies are always beautiful. The setting sun’s rays seem to spread a positive message.
Sundays In My City is my favorite meme and it is hosted by the gorgeous Unknown Mami. Let’s go visit her and from there, travel the world together.
Thankfully most of my relatives live in my hometown so I could avoid any hurt feelings during travel because I don’t think I could find my happiness on vacation staying with my in-laws 🙂 Well, maybe if I missed them!
Ah, Poppy, I hear you. 😉 My in-laws live in two different cities, Fil in one and Mil in another. Still, we have them visiting rather than us going over most of the time!
😀 I read your post about being the short child. I was one!
So true, Vidya! The secret is to LOOK for the happy things instead of focusing on the painful.
You’re so right, Keetha! Hugs!
I LOVE these photos, they just make me smile.
Also, I have a tattoo of a purple lotus so I especially love those!!
So beautiful.
Wow! I’ve always wanted to get a tattoo, but am too chicken because my skin is super sensitive. There are those stick-on ones…but nothing like the real thing!
Hugs! Cyndy!
Oh my, what absolutely LOVELY pictures! And those watermelons look so yummy! I love how you spread the happiness every day, my dear friend. You rock! XOXOs
Those watermelons – we’ll soon see them all over the place, Terri, along the streets. The more innovative sellers also have a cart where they cut them up and serve them with flavors. 🙂 And in the heat of summer, they’re such a lovely sight! Hugs!
Lovely flowers and such, Vidya. Send me some of that watermelon for the little guy 🙂
I would, I would, Julie! 🙂 Now the things to do on our date list is growing longer, no? Hugs!
Thank you Vidya for this beautiful post. I couldn’t agree more, happiness is everywhere! You simply need to look for it and you will find it within.
Thank you, Karen. that belief keeps me enjoying life! Glad you’re here today!
Hi Vidya,
Yes, happiness is every where if we want it to be. Love these pictures. You are amazing with the pictures. have a real eye for it.
Happiness comes with the right attitude.
Thank you for sharing.
Debbie
One of my favorite things about you is the positive light you shine on everything. Such a pleasure to visit here. And your photos? Oh, always incredible. (And I really love the way you do your watermarks. Really!)
Lisa, big hugs to you! Positive is a way of life with me. I don’t know another way.
Thanks for noticing the watermarks 😀
Love, Vidya
Hi Vidya,
What a lovely post! You’ve started my morning with a smile. Thank you! You remind us that no matter where we live and what our lives are like, there’s always joy to be found.
Hugs,
Carole
It is true Carole. We have the choice to be happy.
Hugs! Glad you’re here. Thank you!
What you call digital vacations, I call ‘local vacations’, although I do understand your meaning. To tell you the truth, usually I like the ‘local vacations’ better than the ones that take me far away. I’m always amazed at how much I miss during the course of a day. When I really look, my everyday world has so much to offer.
Love the photo of the foliage at the bottom of that tree.
We are of like mind today, talking about happiness. I always love your photos! They are one more gorgeous than the next!
Hey there Vidya,
You have a very nice blog. Best regards from I. C. Daniel – Romania
Thank you, Daniel – and welcome!
I was blessed with one of the happiest moments of my life last week at my daughter’s parent-teacher meeting. But all sorts of little things in the day make me happy, from watching the cat stretch to a hug from my husband.
Wishing you a very happy week Vidya 🙂
Hi Vidya,
Lovely pictures as usual. Happiness is everywhere – you just need to look. Thanks for sharing your great post!
As always dear Vidya, you make me smile. Your joyfulness is so infectious. And I thank you for the link to my post. Looking forward to more of your happy posts…and I’m so sorry you’re not back on that scooter of yours yet. I just have this image in my head of you toodling around town radiating sunshine where you go.
Love Elle
xoxo
In front of a police station–love it! One of my happiest moments was walking down to a special place near my cabin where two creeks merge. I can stand on the point right where they come together. It seems like a special place of earth power. Enjoyed walking home with you!
Love your Sunday pictures as usual Vidya!!
Thank you, Betsy! I was so excited to see your photos with Tess! Hugs!
Happiness is a choice! Thanks for the beautiful reminder Vidya!
Alex
It really is amazing the beauty and joy you can experience if you just open your eyes to it. Just walking around my neighbor hood with my dog brings me great joy, even if there is not a whole lot of nature around. The simple pleasure of the company of my wife and dog on these walk is enough to bring a big smile to my face. Thanks for the post!
I love watermelons – so refreshing. And walking barefoot in the grass truly is happiness! Dropping by from Sundays in my city.
Yes, Suzy! Love your SIMCs too. And looking forward to connecting over the AtoZ as well! Hugs!
Hi Vidya,
I thinks happiness is feeling comes from our soul and if we feel we are happy then we can happy in every condition as I feel and then we feel that happiness is everywhere.
Enjoy the little things, Yes, I truly agree, Happiness is Everywhere, everywhere can also be your Happy Place. I love this post, lovely Pictures!
Those watermelons are begging to be eaten.
Well, It’s true happiness is everywhere because the happiness comes from God is always everywhere we need.
Enjoy every single bit of your life, if you enjoy your life, than you feel that the life is full of happiness, and the happiness is present in everywhere.
Right said! Thanks for commenting!
Hi Vidya,
Lovely pictures as usual. Happiness is everywhere – you just need to look. Thanks for sharing your great post!
Thank you, Richa!