The Happy Page

A few months ago, I came across a page on Facebook called – The Happy Page. While sitting in the hospital waiting room, with nothing to do (I’d like to pretend that I don’t scroll through random Facebook pages just for the pure fun of it), I decided to look through the different illustrations. 

Each had a small doodle and a quote alongside, starting with

Happiness is...

followed by simple everyday things like,

a book sale. 

a cuppa tea with my best friend.

knowing your crush has a crush on you.

when you look up at the sky and watch the moon and stars with the one you love.

singing along with an old song and remembering all the words to it.

believing in unicorns.

I couldn't stop smiling as I scrolled through thousands of illustrations. My smile growing with each one that passed. I could relate to almost every one of them and I realized, that yes, I do believe I’m happy in those small moments that may otherwise seem insignificant. It made me happier that things that I had assumed were silly and only made me happy, made others happy too! That it was a simple bond formed with every other person who felt the same emotion when experiencing that particular moment. 

I once read somewhere, that we all wait for significant moments in our life to truly feel happy. Like getting your first car, that job you've always wanted or finding the person you love. Yes, these are moments to be cherished, celebrated even. But don’t let them take away from you the pure joy the simple things bring.

Like what about the moment you let yourself spend a little bit of the money you saved for your car, on a random meal with an old friend that lasted for hours. Or that moment when you took a break from working so hard at your dream job, to sip on hot coffee while it was raining outside. Or that moment, when you realized that it didn't work out with a certain someone you’d always dreamed to be with, only because you were to meet a random stranger in a train perhaps, and over a conversation realize that you connected like never before.

The trick is to not think of happiness as a destination, I read. Think of it as a journey. As a mood. Don’t stop yourself from enjoying the little things. Who were to say if you’d even live to see that dream fulfilled? Would you rather not be happy till then?

When I see sparrows at the airport, or lay down in a field of grass while trying to make out the cloud shapes – I’m happy. When it randomly starts raining in the middle of an important day and I know it might as well be ruined, I step out and dance. When I’m holding the hand of the person I love while walking down a busy street, I experience a warmth. When I’m starving and a friend surprises me with my favourite food – you can't even imagine the smile that crosses my face! Over the years I've learned one thing - 

Don’t capture your emotions. Set them free. 

Feel! Every small thing. Every big thing. Feel it.

Happiness isn't as big as you make it out to be, yet it is.