Sometimes life throws a curveball so complex, that we take a lot of time to get back the balance and regain control of our own life. But once we are back to normal, the first thought is to damn it all and just do what makes you happy.
Why did it take an entire global pandemic to bring out artistes amongst regular corporate employees? Why did it take mass lay-offs, for jobless people to take that leap and begin their own start ups and new business ventures?
Hell, what was stopping me from taking the already existing blog posts and stories and compile into books? 3 lay-offs and bankruptcy in 2.5 years! That’s what it took. My anger and frustration at losing total control of my life brought out total disregard for mundane things – will my books be successful? Will they sell well? What will people say? Would they judge me? Will I find time after my full time work to focus on my own books?
In reality, these questions are absolutely meaningless. I don’t care whatever the answer to this is. All I care about right now is what makes me happy. My Happiness Quotient. Yes, I just made that up I think. Let’s create this new measure.
That’s not the limit of it. I have started painting again, after almost 2 decades! I am starting a mini window garden too. It isn’t as if someone or something stopped me all these years. It’s just that I was too comfortable in my job cocoon. Everything else was to be done after my daily work was done.
We all are in that same trap. Job security, salary, retaining a job, commuting, advancing in careers. We get so caught up behind this rat race, that we forget actual living. The full time day job is meant to provide for having a well balanced life. In reality all balance shifts in favour of the job and everything else gets sacrificed for it.
When people were forced indoors due to a raging pandemic, we all started living in that balance. Of course, that balance is still not always perfect. But we are finding ways to regain our Happiness Quotient. Cooking, sketching, cartoons, painting, sculpting – you name it. Everyone is finding new hobbies. Online learning has made it even within reach and easy to upskill and cross-skill or learn a new hobby.
I will hold on to the hope that even after this pandemic is over, our lives will continue to have a balance of work and happiness. Let’s not forget or misplace our Happiness Quotient. Think about it. It is what is bringing meaning to these gloomy times.
Let us all together be grateful for what we have within our control. Let us all together hold this talisman of hope in our hearts. Let’s make Happiness Quotient a reality, and not just a figment of my imagination. Let us all find our own measure of happiness.
