At the Airport I was trying to pick my suitcase from the carousel. It was heavy and my sore back got a spasm while I leaned to pick it.
A young man came forward, picked the suitcase and placed it on the trolley. Before I could turn around and say thank you, he disappeared into the rubbernecking crowd.
There was honesty in his help. He did not expect anything in return, not even a courteous ‘Thank You’.
You know why? … Because he did not want to jeopardize the Feeling of Happiness that he got by helping a stranger.
I was travelling to Taipei, Taiwan as a Visiting Fellow at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. On the plane, I met an Indian guy who was doing business in Taipei for the last forty years. He helped me get to the hospital and arrange for my stay as there was a major language problem.
He kept meeting me and took me around the city throughout my seven-day stay. When I was returning back he gifted me with the choicest local handicrafts.
I asked him courteously, “Why are you doing all this for a stranger?”
He said, “I do it because it makes me happy. You also help somebody and see the pleasure you get.”
I was spellbound.
I have been helped several times by strangers during my umpteen overseas and inland trips. It is very gratifying and satisfying to be helped when you are in actual need of it.
Many times, I have lent my hand to the terrified people, who are afraid to put their foot on the moving escalator. I never waited for a thank you, but I felt happy that was unparalleled by any emotion.
Let us try to define HAPPINESS.
HAPPINESS is an emotion that we get after achieving a goal.
This goal could be anything …from earning a bundle of bills … to having a sumptuous meal … to a satisfying love-making … travelling to an exotic location or to be alone in solitude …etc.
Most of the time happiness is based on a materialistic gain with loads of expectations. Happiness is very short-lived because it happens on a spinal level.
But the happiness you get by just making an effort, a small gesture to help someone who is not even asking for it, is real happiness.
This feeling goes deep in the heart and nourishes the soul, making you a better human being.
I feel that children are more receptive to happiness because their souls are naive and pure. Most of the time their gestures are devoid of materialistic gains or expectations.
Remember what you felt …
You shared a portion of your tiffin with the ogling little puppy.
When you helped an old lady cross the road
when you shared the Kuller ki chai with the small urchin who looked at you in expectation
When offering your seat to a pregnant lady or an old man on an overcrowded bus
This was the happiness that you got by rendering uncalled for and unexpected help to the needy.
Let humanity live in your psyche and let the juices of affection flow in your system.
As an eight-year-old kid, on a scorching sunny afternoon at the Delhi Zoo, I quenched the thirst of a caged Grizzly Bear by bringing water from the nearby tap and showering it on his wagging tongue.
I did not wait for a thank you from the massive creature.
BUT,
I earned Happiness, which still lingers in my mind, as a beautiful thought.
Really inspirational and thought provoking