Monday, September 21, 2009

If only she could smile...


The word 'happiness' seems so elusive. Sometimes I wonder if it is a mere manifestation of a human mind and it isn’t such a big deal as we make out it to be. We keep thinking about it and do things that can make/ keep us happy our entire life. Even then we don’t seem to be really happy. Is it really all that tough being happy? We humans are such complex beings and it is hard to find or guess as to what can really make us happy. For quite sometime I had thought about writing a post on the reasons that made/make me smile in my day to day life and RSV’s post In Search of Happyness actually made me think about happiness and all.
Oh! Don’t worry am not going to give a long lecture or philosophize on the subject of happiness. I would rather enjoy this moment and let all the wise heads do all that thinking. I just wanna pen down 10 reasons (to some these reasons may sound very silly and kiddish but that’s how I am) that has kept me smiling for the last few days and am still savoring every bit of it.

Reasons (silly but important to me) to smile….

1.      If only I could kill with a smile,
You would have been dead in a while.
Thank your soul that you cannot see my smiling face here….else you would not have been able to read this post further (How wicked of me). As I was humming this song ‘She could kill with a smile’ (I don’t know who the singer is). The above lines popped in my brain and I have been smiling since then not because I wanted to murder someone with my deadly smile but because I was able to rhyme properly. I am so poetically challenged. So, whenever am able to pen something even average, it gives me immense joy. 

2.      I completed 25 blog posts and my comments crossed 300 mark (it is not at all impressive but I had not expected it to reach even 100 so I have reasons to smile). I have about 45 bloggers stalking…err…following me. All these numbers are not something that one can boast about because they are far less than what my fellow blogger have. But, here I don’t want to compare these numbers because comparison is one of the main reasons of unhappiness so I shall desist myself from doing it.

3.      My indirank/score took a giant (read Dinosaur) leap.
      It jumped from 50 to 71. So, am grinning from ear to ear.

4.      Am in love.
What more should I say. I am so obsessed with my blog these days. Even when am tired I would switch on my PC and keep staring at my blog for hours together and keep scrolling up and down the page without noticing the clock at the bottom of the screen (looks like as if I have got nothing else to do in this world). Now I can understand why all lovers can stare at their beloved’s face for hours and not notice the huge pimple.

5.      I got new pets. They are unique.

      
Elephants are too big to handle so can’t keep them though it would be fun having one (actually nightmare). I love dogs but can’t afford to keep them though I am dying to have one. Not because of financial reasons but because I myself am gonna be homeless soon. So, I went in for a softer option. Got fishes instead. There is this feed my fish widget on my blog. I just love to feed them and see them scramble around whenever I drop food there. It is one of my favourite timepass. I keep watching them swim around. At times they cluster in some corner as if they were whispering or gossiping. I love all of them but orange ones are my favourite. Tell me which is your favourite one? Black, yellow, purple, green or orange. Thanks to that widget maker and to technology for making my tiresome day end with a smile.  

6.      Virtual bliss.
My blogo and virtual friends have become a part of me. This fact dawned on me when my net connection was having some problem. Earlier and pre-blogging days I used to think that how can one live a virtual life but for better or for worse, I seem to be living one now for sure, courtesy blogomania. Sometimes I wonder if I have begun to live an illusory life. On the web one does not know the true identity or the existence of the other person who is interacting with you but who cares at times. If they are happy when I accept or believe whatever story they dish out for me as long as it harms no one then why not. I feel happy when they nudge me for my attention or drop even a simple ‘Hi!’ on my comment box or keep up late to talk me out of my sadness or ease my tension no matter how busy they are.

7.      I was blogtrotting and I chanced upon Vipenn Singh’s blog post The Smile Train. It scared me a bit. Read it and then you will know what I am talking about. The very first pic on the post reminded me of the documentary ‘Smile Pinki’ (the documentary is about a girl in a village who was ostracized by her village people because she was born with a cleft lip).

                                    Source: www.oscar.com/nominations

I feel blessed that I am normal and healthy, that am able to enjoy the simple pleasures of life as simple as enjoying a cup of tea or walk freely in the rain or watch the beauty of nature unfold before me. There are many who cannot even enjoy this. How often we take things for granted in life and keep cribbing about the things we don’t have. Thanks to Vipenn for this realization. So, let me live this moment and pamper my sweet-tooth who knows ‘kal ho na ho’ and whether I will still be able to enjoy my cup of tea.

8.      Bingo effect. It hardly costs to smile. That's the least that we can do if nothing else to make somebody happy.

      
So, am trying to spread smiles (not the deadly ones…wink…
wink..). Trust me, it can make someone’s day. A cheerful thank you too can lit up somebody’s dull day. I don’t know the effect of ‘thank you’ on the chaiwala bhaiya when I utter it to him, whenever he places the cup on my table quietly. I am sure that it doesn’t make him sad either if not happy.

9.      Fresh and breezy mornings are a perfect start for any day. Almost for a week my landlord was away on a vacation. I could smell the difference. They were the best mornings I had lately because everyday he comes up to my floor as early as 5.30 in the morning and smoke that too just next to my window because his wife wouldn’t let him smoke at home. My window overlooks their side-terrace garden and he would sit around and fag there. It’s a beautiful garden but what a waste. It is so suffocating when ciggi filled air greets me early in the morning instead of fresh, sweet cool air. No matter how much I try to cover my nose to avoid the smell, it’s of no use. Its not that I don’t like cigarette smell. My friend and I often raid her brother’s pocket for cigarette packets just to smell (and not to smoke. I respect everybody’s freedom of choice. So, my advice to all young faggers is that fag at your own cost and die an untimely death leaving your young wife/husband with a second chance to rectify the mistake of her/his previous marriage i.e. marry someone better than you.  I am OK with others fagging as long as they allow me to smell the pack). The smell of cigarette is heavenly but only that of an unlit one.

10.  It’s been raining awards every where in the blogosphere and a few droplets managed to trickle in here. Thanks to Shilpaa Garg for conferring the Butterfly Award on me. So, now I have something to show off. Its time to spread the smile.

      
Finally I have got a chance to spread the smile and also acknowledge some of the blogs which I have always admired. As per the rules am supposed to nominate blogs for the awards. There are many blogs of which I am an ardent follower but won’t be nominating them because I want to wait till I can get an appropriate award for them. So, don’t feel sad especially the ones who aren’t named here. Here I come fluttering with smiles…

 

The nominees are:

P.S. Eight is the new seven in Shas land….(i guess i can cheat a bit for my friends...hi hi!)
Rules
a. Add the logo of the award to your blog
b. Add a link to the person(s) who awarded it to you
c. Nominate at least 7 other blogs
d. Add links to those blogs on your blog
e. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.
f. It is not there in the rules but i want to add the tag 10 Reasons to smile and i tag  all the winners and all those who wish to attempt this tag. Can’t wait to know what makes you all smile.    
     

77 comments:

Being Pramoda... said...

HI Shas...

ahhaha..ver funny ..:) i'm in all smiles..hey woul dlove to see ur smile ..:) ..and i too like to smile and i smile always ..I too love my blog and scorl it sown N Number of times...:)

*8That's the least that we can do if nothing else to make somebody happy.

well said ..:)

People are nt perfetc..this pic is amazing ... i liked the quote..:) congrats on award ..:)

keep expressing :)

R S V said...

Thank you very much the award....
but I have a doubt..
u said the reasons enlisted are "silly"...
but I am unable to find anything more reasonable than them?

simply ashu said...

cool one .....after browsing many blogs i found yours relaxing and sweet one.
Ekdum Bidbass!!!

Shas said...

@ Being Pramoda,
Thanks!!
so lets create a chain effect of smiles...and infect everybody else with smiles for a chnage :) :)

Shas said...

@ RSV,
Congrats! You deserved it. Am glad you found them to be reasonable enough.

Shas said...

@ Simply Ashu,
Your comment left me with a big smile. Am soooo happy to know that you found my blog relaxing and sweet. Am glad that i was able to make atleast one person feel thus.
Mere blog ka jeevan safal ho gaya....lolzzz

Yellow Tulip said...

hey dear:)...keep smiling always:)...loved ur reasons specially the fish one:):)..:)...

thank u for awarding me dear:)...i'm smiling:)...i'm really honoured:)...thank u:)..

Shas said...

@ Yellow Tulip,
Thanks! n Welcome!! its my pleasure.
So, which is your fav fish??

HaRy!! said...

Hey..neat one! well for long i thought sense of humor and happyness is gone for many, as i always see blogs on Love,cry,agitation and very few like Chriz.. on happyness thru humour!! now this one brought me to smile :)yu hav a new fan! :) congrats on the comments!! that always show how much yu fare off!! hope to cya around.tc..

HaRy

Shas said...

@ Harry,
Writing this post almost drained me out and my sluggish net connection made it even more worse. It took me almost a week to publish this post. Your comment made the effort worthwhile. I agree with you am a BiGG fan of Chriz and he has an enviable sense of humour.

Shas said...

@ Harry,
Hope you collected your award....

HaRy!! said...

hey shas...yea i did..will hav to post it though!! thanks a ton...! means so much and yeah...me gonna be a avid fan of yur blog :)! tak care...

Shas said...

@ Harry,
You are welcome!! Am your AC.. ..lolzzz

Jus wanted to confirm coz some may find it boring to go thru the long post n hence they may miss out the goodies.

athivas said...

Hey Shas!So true about the the blog addiction and the blog friends. We haven't seen them, do not know them but get connected through their writings.....

UL said...

What a pleasant surprise, Shas - many congrats on your award and thank you so much for this recognition - it has been ages since I made anything creative on Typing Away, you might've just motivated me to get started again... :) Yes - you have started off my monday morning with plenty of smiles, so here's wishing you lots of happiness... take care! I love the song too, btw ! Now I will be humming it for the rest of the day.. :)

Shas said...

@ athivas,
Welcome to my blog!!
Very true. Its their writings which creates their identity. It is here where religion, colour, nationality, and looks hardly matter.

Shas said...

@ UL,
Thanks n welcome!!!
That is precisely what an award is supposed to do. So, am sure you gonna type away to glory from now on...waiting to read your typed ideas...

Lakshmi Rajan said...

Smile is infectious , even if its virtual world smile - you passed it to me :)

Thanks for the award ! brings Xtra Smile !

Shas said...

@ lakshmi Rajan,
Welcome!! am glad that i was able to give you that Xtra smile for and Xtra mile....lolzz

sm said...

excellent way to say
what you wanted to say

Shankar said...

hey congrats for the award..great going....

Sourav !!! said...

Loved your wall :)

Went to a good school, I was here to return the favor .. leave some real 'good' lines and forget your room, I mean wall ;) .. (Being an Indian you could very well understand, what walls are used for on the roadside, no matter what's scibbled on them :P) ... But Shas (really liked your name) ... after reading few lines, instead of leaving a 'good' comment, I went on to the full post and the other post 'shagged' and I was really all smiles and laughs ...

This comment is getting to be a post in itself .. I really liked your blogged and you get a friend no. 48 ! Congrats :D

P.S. It goes without saying I'd love to have one who more person, who can dare to read what I MANAGE to write !

:)

TJ Lubrano said...

What a lovely post! Really I smiled while I was reading it ^_^!! There are many things that makes me happy. Seeing others happy, makes me even more happy haha.

I'm doing fine! How are you these days? Thanks for leaving a happy note on my blog :D. Take care XOXO!!

..vipenn..Singh said...

"A Smile would never go out of style,
Would make each & every day worthwhile.."

Hmm..Looks like I'm not too shabby at this rhyming business too ;)

Absolutely amazing post. Some things that stand out for me:

"Comparison is a reason for unhappiness." Don't bother what the other person has and you don't. For all you know they might be jealous of the things that you have and they don't. Even Steven !!

"Now I can understand why all lovers can stare at their beloved’s face for hours and not notice the huge pimple." Pobody's nerfect and all of us have shortcomings !! Blessed are those who do not look for the perfect lover but rather create the perfect love.

"I am sure that it doesn’t make him sad either if not happy." A little anecdote. I recently started working and all through the orientation speakers kept telling us, "Be sure you are nice to everyone you meet here, you don't know when you'd need them"..I wondered, "Do we need a reason/motive to be nice to people ?" If we do then it's really sad.. You've hit the nail on the head with point 8 in the post.

Lastly, a big thanks for including my post's link in the reasons for your smile. I am humbled and honored by your words. Really appreciate them !!

Keep going...Keep it real :)

Sunil said...

Hi Shas,
As I've said before, You have a very nice blog. And you have your own writing style.

Few changes I wish to see in your blog are:

1> Change of template:
Your current template is very good in aesthetic sense but it's too slow to load. So I would recommend that you give a serious thought to it. Try new templates out there & upload the images into your own blogger account.

2>Comment form:
I agree that keeping comment section in a pop-up window makes it easy for the readers to switch to the main content. But you know? the pop-up window is slow to load. And it distracts users. Why not try the new blogger feature "comments below posts?" (To get this feature, login to your blogger dashboard, click on the settings option, then click on the comments option & on that page check the comments below post option).

Rest your blog Rocks!!
Congrats for the award, you truly deserve it.
Have a nice day.

Paritosh said...

Oops!! Looks like I killed your fishes with my extra enthusiasm. I couldn't stop feeding them once I got the hangof it. I am sorry if they die. I really am. And if they don't then this was just a FYI comment.

BTW congrats on that award thingy...

Shas said...

@ sm,
Thanks!! :)

@ Shankar,
Thanks!! =)

Shas said...

@ sm,
Thanks!! :)

@ Shankar,
Thanks!! =)

Shas said...

@ Sourav,
Lolzzz.....
Thanks for reading my other posts too. Length of your comment hardly matters, its the thought that matters so each n every word that you write here is worth millions for me. And i looove reading long comments, longer the better...you will always find a good reader in me....so ahead shoot....

Thanks for joining my friends list...hope you enjoy your stay here.

Shas said...

@ TJ,
Thanks!! buddy for dropping in here. Your presence itself fills me with lots of smiles. Am glad you liked my post. =)

Shas said...

@ Vipenn Singh,
"A Smile would never go out of style,
Would make each & every day worthwhile.."
Very rightly said.

Thanks for visiting my page. Reason no.7 came to my mind after reading your post. I wanted to acknowledge your contribution so I added links to your post coz you had raised an important issue and had put it so well and i didn't want others to miss out reading such an important post.

Shas said...

@ Sunil,
Thanks!! for the visit and the suggestions.

Am sorry for the inconvenience caused. I am still on the lookout for a new template but haven't found which can go with my blog theme, yet. Hope my search ends soon.
Initially the comments section was embedded on the page itself but some weren't able to post their comments so on their request i changed it to pop up. Will see if there is another alternative that can reduce the loading time. Plz bear with me until then.
=)

Shas said...

@ Sunil,
Thanks!! for the visit and the suggestions.

Am sorry for the inconvenience caused. I am still on the lookout for a new template but haven't found which can go with my blog theme, yet. Hope my search ends soon.
Initially the comments section was embedded on the page itself but some weren't able to post their comments so on their request i changed it to pop up. Will see if there is another alternative that can reduce the loading time. Plz bear with me until then.
=)

Shas said...

@ Paritosh,
Thanks!! for feeding my babies their bulged bellies are a proof of it...lolzz. They are forever hungry so no worry, if they turn obese i can happily blame you...lolzzz

TJ Lubrano said...

Haha you're really sweet!!

Oh! you're tagged!! I give you the Express yourself award ^_^!! Yes, if you like you can tell 50 things about yourself hehehe. You can see it on my blog. But the post isn't up yet, so check back in a little bit! Ciao Xx

Ashwin Kumar B said...

Hi there Shas.. Just Happened to stumble upon ur blog -- trust me during my reasearch on the topic " Gross National Happiness"... I just happened to read about GNH indicators being followed in different countries along with the regular GDP growth rates...

I must appreciate the way you have put accross a simple emotion in a such a wonderful manner.. Happiness is something which no one measures.. But u making an effort to point out ur reasons made it an interesting read.. :)

Guess i too will add on to the number of your Followers errr.. Stalkers !! Keep Blogging..

Cheers
Kash !

Shas said...

@ Ashwin,
I welcome you with a warm smile!! Am glad you stumbled on my blog.
You belong to which stream (eco???)....would love to know more about your research. So, what was the result of the research n findings. Is happiness directly proportional or inversely proportional to GDP??? Do share with us your findings.

Thanks for joining my stalkers...err...followers....lolzz
Hope you have a happy time here. Hope to see you often here. =)

Shas said...

@ Ashwin,
I welcome you with a warm smile!! Am glad you stumbled on my blog.
You belong to which stream (eco???)....would love to know more about your research. So, what was the result of the research n findings. Is happiness directly proportional or inversely proportional to GDP??? Do share with us your findings.

Thanks for joining my stalkers...err...followers....lolzz
Hope you have a happy time here. Hope to see you often here. =)

Remya Raman said...

Hey Shas,

Thanks for passing by my blog and adding your comments. If you've read the post "Secret to Happiness" in my blog, you will never be sad in your life. 100% guaranteed...

You can visit the site foopets.com to adopt a virtual pet(dog/cat) and u can enjoy playing around with it.:)

Btw,you blog is very beautiful. :)

Makk said...

hiya!!

Well i love to be silly more often then not.

Although i am smiling always..but your blog added some length to my smile. Ear to ear now.
:)

Keep smiling..keep spreading it..!

Shas said...

@ TJ,
Hi! Thankssss a ton for the award and tagging me. Will check it out soon.

Sunil said...

Hey try this site for new templates.
http://btemplates.com/

There are loads of templates featured here. I'm sure you'll love them.
Take Care. :)

Being Pramoda... said...

HI Shas,

Plz collect ur award frm my blog ..:)

Thanks

Shas said...

@ Remya Raman,
Welcome to my blog. will definitely check out your blog post.
So sweet of you to give me the links for virtual pets...am sure i will soon become a nikkamma now coz i will be busy playing with them....lolzzz
Do visit again.

Ashwin Kumar B said...

Hey..Thanks a ton Shas.. Well I dont belong to Eco Stream :).. I did my Grads in Commerce.

But the research is still in nascent stages.. So not in a position to make a statement.. Will Definitely keep u posted though once i arrive at a conclusion.. ...:)

Thanks again 4 dropping by my blog !! Keep Blogging..

Cheers
Kash !!

Swatantra said...

Congratulations!! Nice Pictures!! I liked the best.. i love the computers as my friends live in it.. cute!

Saad Shaikh said...

Hehehee.. justified reasons to be happy.. :P

We humans are such complex beings and it is hard to find or guess as to what can really make us happy.

This reminded me of Rajesh Khanna's dialogue from the movie Bawarchi.. "..it is so simple to be happy.. but its so difficult to be simple..".. Don't know if it had any relevance here.. but just thought of sharing it with you.. :)

Shas said...

@ Makk,
If you like being silly then you will like my silly blog....lolzz

But am not happy with the length of your smile. I want it be as long as the distance between Himalaya and kanyakumari or even longer...

Hope that my smile spreads faster than HINI flu.. :)

Shas said...

@ Sunil,
Thanks for taking the pain of giving me the link. Will definitely check it out.
=)

Shas said...

@ Being Pramoda,
Thanks a ton dear!!
This gives me another reason to smile.
=)

Shas said...

@ Ashwin,
Thanks! for answering my queries.
Will wait for the final deductions or conclusions.
Keep dropping by.
=)

Shas said...

@ Swatantra,
Thanks!!

Shas said...

@ Saad,
Welcome to my blog.

Its quite relevant and true. We humans are so complex that we tend to make even simple things more complex than the Big bang Theory...(looks like in my attempt to simplify things I have have made this sentence more complex)....lolzz.

abhishek said...

Well as somebody said

It's simple to be happy but its difficult to be simple.

Thanks for dropping by at my blog. You have a nice blog here. Keep writing. Cheers!!

Shas said...

@ Abhishek,
Welcome!! =)

Wine and Words said...

I needed a reason to smile today and 10 was unexpected and appreciated. Thank you for stopping by my blog. Nice to meet you Shas.

Shas said...

@ Wine and words,
Welcome!! to my blog.
What can be more rewarding than to know that i was able to bring a smile on your face. =)

Amrit said...

I had to come...to drop few words here. So as soon as I managed to get my hands on my frnd's laptop...I am here!

Thanks for this wonderful award. It really matters a loy and feels great that you find my blog worthy enough to be awarded! :)

Keep wrtiing

divsi said...

The smell of cigarette is heavenly but only that of an unlit one.

thats kewl:)

u ve got a damn cute list here..dis is one tag i d relle like to do:)) will do it soon..
kip scribblin gurl!!:)


best wishes n lotta smiles...:))
divsi

Shas said...

@ Divsi,
Thanks! for visiting my blog and taking up the tag. Would love to read your reasons. Eagerly waiting for it, until then keep smiling. =)

HaRy!! said...

seem to have dissappeared after yur latest blog? :)!

Shas said...

@ Amrit,
Thanks for sparing time to drop your comment here despite the non-availability of net and time. I feel honoured.

You deserved the award so you don't need to thank. I really enjoy visiting your blog. Take care and keep dropping in here whenever you can spare the time. Will be glad to hear from you.
=)

Shas said...

@ Hary,
Feels good and am Glad to know that someone is eager to see my updates. Am at a loss of ideas at the moment and don't know what to write on. I envy those guys/gals who are able to update their blog almost everyday and are brimming with ideas all the time. In a couple of days i hope am able to put up something. So, keep checking... :D

Hey the spelling of your name and profile pic has changed....hope it was not on the advice of some astrologer or alphabetologist or numerologist... :D

This reply has almost turned into a mini post...lolzzz

Shas said...

@ Hary,
Feels good and am Glad to know that someone is eager to see my updates. Am at a loss of ideas at the moment and don't know what to write on. I envy those guys/gals who are able to update their blog almost everyday and are brimming with ideas all the time. In a couple of days i hope am able to put up something. So, keep checking... :D

Hey the spelling of your name and profile pic has changed....hope it was not on the advice of some astrologer or alphabetologist or numerologist... :D

This reply has almost turned into a mini post...lolzzz

Mishree said...

Hi Shas,

First of all...commendable,really!!!you r doing a GREAT job!!i became an instant follower!!

Second,thank u for visiting my blog n commenting!always is a pleasant surprise when an unknown person lands up on your blog and takes time out to make you feel special!

And finally,I went through a phase(and a fairly long one at that), where I thought I could never be happy.But then I found my own reasons too,bit by bit.And like they say "Everyday,in some way,be your own best friend"...i did just that.And I know that now I can never run out of reasons to smile.

Thanks a lot for your time again,and keep up the great work!!

Lotsa Luv,

Mishree :-)

agent green glass said...

wow. i loved the smile train. thanks for leading me there. and thanks for dropping by, and leaving a comment
: )

Shas said...

@ Mishree,
You have a real sweet name.
Welcome!! to my blog. I jus love to trot around the blogosphere and i do leave my footprints if i have something to say or admire. Am happy to know that you have found enough of reasons to smile which will never run out.
Kudos to your spirit!!
Keep visiting. Would love to hear from you more.
=)

Shas said...

@ agent green glass,
Welcome!!

Yellow Tulip said...

i like gold fish...:)...

vivek said...

happiness if a state of mind n being humam we are blessed that we can emote it ..as well ..otherwise like other living being we would have been either flippering tails if we still hv 1 ;)

it was nice read ..thanks for writing such gr8 blogs

Shas said...

@ Yellow Tulip,
Well then i shall get one for my blog.

Shas said...

@ Vivek,
Very rightly said. Its all in the mind and depends on our attitude towards it and life.

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Shas said...

@ Anonymous,
Its little weird addressing someone as anonymous. Wish u had given some name to yourself.

Anyways ur welcome here. Glad to know that this post helped u in ur assignment. Wish i could know what that assignment was on.

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

Poor news - Syria's 'mutilation mystery' increases...