CHILDHOOD MEMORIES AND HAPPINESS

                     CHILDHOOD MEMORIES AND HAPPINESS 

Each one of us has  nostalgic memories of childhood  tucked away in the scrapbook of our mind .To think back of all that i loved  which increased my happiness as a child I feel so thankful and blessed . I was too busy as a child in my play and work to notice that ‘happiness’ was camping in my head .Recalling as to why those days  were so enjoyable takes me to my innocent growing up moments full of love all around me.

Lasting impressions from childhood experiences have  certainly moulded  my thoughts and actions as  an adult .

Enjoying spending time  outdoors was my favorite pastime .Once on an evening cycling spree with friends I reached home unexpectedly late as my cycle was punctured ,unfortunately that day my Grand father  ( a visitor to our place, very strict never liked girls to go out with friends)  was leaving and since I could  not reach back home in time to say good bye ,my father was  furious at me ,his anger of that day is still etched in my mind making me realize the importance of balancing my happiness priorities and loving relationships as happiness is not about playing and smiling all the time but putting what's most important first .This also taught me to  that  happiness comes with  being caring ,kind .respectful ,responsible and committed in relationships 

Today as I pause  and think that it is the feeling of being loved by parents ,teachers and so many others that makes the most influential contribution to childhood happiness. Long after my memories of toys, gifts, test scores have faded, the feelings of trust ,comfort ,reassurance and love remain. My project called happiness is  keeping in my mind a gratitude list and a list of happy things ,thoughts and memories 

Happiness also came from my sense of  feeling sacred  and religious from daily folding my hands after a bath and praying 'Thank You God ' , our sunday  morning family  satsangs encouraging us to sing bhajans , our daily school prayers  ...Our father in heaven ( being an English school of  40's ) influenced me to believe God is the same for all only we call him by different names .

When we talk about good old days it's not that the present days are not good ,it's just that our way of looking at them has changed .Living in the moment  and feeling happy with the little we have as we did in childhood  is what gives happiness .Today I tell myself that the mantra to happiness is to live every moment and savor them in the scrapbook of my mind .

SMILING ON REMINISCING MY HAPPY CHILDHOOD DAYS 

Growing up amidst abundant nature around me,

Green grass,shrubs flowers and  many a shady tree,

Away form  the hustle bustle of the city ,

Surrounded by paddy fields,looking so pretty.

Loving the lovely huge lake across  the road,

It's still water serves as the lotuses  abode 

Me and my friends loved to sit on its banks ,

Laughing together and sharing our pranks ,

Life was adventurous when we climbed trees ,

Plucked guavas , mangoes  and  litchis ,

Roamed the thorny shrubs plucking berries 

Wonder how we did all that with such great ease .

The long lonely roads were great cycling tracks ,

Carrying tasty snacks in our back packs,

Feeling of freedom  cycling for many miles 

Greeting  villagers exchanging  wide smiles.

Fighting ,uniting playing cricket ,badminton and seven tiles 

Dodging and  pushing playing Kho kho in great style 

Dancing merrily  outside on arrival of the rains 

Sailing  paper boats  in muddy water puddles in lanes 

Happy growing up memories will never abate 

Life was so joyful simple ,carefree  and  great ,

A world without  TV,  play station and  net ,

Blessed were those days I can never ever forget.

Pushpa Chaturvedi