Life is a gift from God; we should celebrate it!

We value life, health, happiness and love only when we do not have them.

Real joy is in spending time with our family and friends. 

The more love and compassion we give, the more it fills us with love.

I have an interesting anecdote to share about this.

I used to see a middle-aged man bringing his disabled wife in a wheel chair in the temple, daily, for the evening prayers. Both would listen to the hymns with closed eyes and folded hands. They used to leave, as quietly as they would enter the temple. What irked me most was that there was misery written all over them. 

‘Both passing through their individual hells,’ I thought. 
The woman was miserable, as she was dependent due to her disability. The man was miserable for being a constant caregiver; with little joy in their relationship. 

They never smiled or spoke to each other or to other devotees. 
One day I met them face to face, as they came out of the temple. 

They were sad as usual.

I gave them my brightest smile. 

I shocked them, by my sudden and unexpected intrusion into their private space. They did not reciprocate.

I kept smiling in the knowledge that sincere warmth can melt the icebergs. 

I said, “How are you?” 

They just gaped at me.

Nevertheless, the man broke the seal of his lips muttering almost inaudibly, “Just fine!” 

I went up to the woman and looked into her big brown eyes. 

She was still trying to connect with the stranger in me. 
My smile perhaps touched her as her eyes brightened up and she broke into a lovely smile. Her sad face which looked like a withered rose earlier, was now, a blooming rose. Her husband looked at his lovely wife with new eyes.

I cupped her face in my hands and said, “You are so beautiful and you look even lovelier when you smile. God bless you!” 

She was surprised but beamed and blushed as she said, “Thank you so much!” 

Our eyes were moist. 

We stayed in silence, enjoying the warmth of the moment. 

The man wheeled his wife towards the car on the road. They looked back once and waved at me. The remnants of the smile were still there on their faces. 

I know they must have relapsed into the comfort zone of their sadness. However, I know that they will treasure this explosive moment of joy they felt, on being admired by a total stranger. 

I could not alleviate their misery but I gave them a sweet moment and its indelible memory. 

How lovely it would be if we could fill the lives of people around us with love. 

I know how it feels to be sad and value the joy, life still is.

Always look for positive in adversity; a silver lining in a black cloud; a centre of calm in a storm and a rainbow after the deluge!

Life is a joy; celebrate it.