Do you have a secret joy?

“Has it ever happened to you? Something minuscule which brought boundless joy to you. It can be insignificant but you feel such innocent joy just like the way you experienced as a child upon hearing the ice cream vendor ringing his bell? ”, my friend asked me once.

I really could not comprehend what he said and asked, “What do you mean?”

He understood I did not get the essence of it right and hence went on, “Look, I reach home after work by around 7 pm. Just about the time I park my car, my landlady will be busy preparing dinner for her family and myself. As I walk past her window every day, her kitchen would be bustling with activity. That very moment, the thought of the delicacies which are in store for me brings such joy that it wears off all the tiredness from work. I tell you, it is pure bliss which I experience at that very moment as I cross her window.”

It was really funny listening to his enthusiastic description. Once he rested his case, he asked me, “Have you experienced something like this?”

I gave it a thought and suddenly it reminded myself in a similar situation.

“Actually yeah... The other day I was cooking. I was trying to replicate a dish my Mom taught me. As I was frying shallots, I got the aroma just like my Mom’s! You have no clue how happy I was with my achievement.”

It was his turn to make fun of me, “Gotcha!” I felt like a stupid.

If you think about it, it is nothing. From time immemorial shallots when fried give the same aroma. How childish is that?

Now let me share something else. I have an intimate connection with stationery that I am a stationery hoarder. I buy pens, pencils, rulers, erasers, sharpeners, notebooks at times out of necessity and at times just because they make me happy. Each time I go to a supermarket or shop, if I accidentally come across the stationery space, I will make sure to get at least a pencil.

Once I get something new, I will be in a state of inexplicable excitement. The thought of using the new pen or pencil the following day gives me goosebumps and is enough to ward off all the worries in this unforgiving world.

Haha… The thought of it is enough to light me up and as I write this blog I couldn’t help smiling.

So what do I do when depressed, I get a pencil, pen or a NOTEBOOK depending on the intensity and everything will be just fine.

Not just me, all of us would have secret joys we nurse, which to the outside world can be ridiculous just like mine or even creepy. Whatever it is, just think of that one thing that brings happiness and voila… ALL IS WELL.

And hey! If you have such interesting secret joys, share it with me and we shall have a hearty laugh.

See you next time with something less creepy…