We are lucky to be born as Human beings - Why? Not just because we have the power to think great and innovate, but we have this unique power to 'laugh out loud'. Because, to my knowledge, I have never seen a dog, cat or cockroach laughing out loud. Perhaps, I'm wrong, but that's a different topic open to debate - Do animals and insects laugh or not?! But, as human beings we have this ability to appreciate humor and laugh, snort, chuckle or giggle seeing things and people. However, not many of us feel blessed to have this very special emotional stimuli called laughter in us. When was the last time you laughed till you got tears in your eyes?
"Laughter is the best medicine". I know this phrase sounds very cliched, but I certainly believe it's the Gospel truth! When I told this to my grim-faced neighbour, she asked me If I can get her a 'laughter pill' by any chance ?! That didn't surprise me because, a lot of us are hell-bent in popping pills for even the mildest sneeze! I made myself clear to my neighbour right away saying that laughter is the emotional medicine which she should dose herself up everyday!
If you are lucky enough to have a baby, toddler or a child around you, just observe them. For these small wonders, everything around them is new, interesting, funny and ready-to-explore. Nothing truly matters to the child apart from playing and laughing most of the day. Probably, that is why children do not need 'Blood pressure' monitors and follow-up Stress management sessions like we adults.
Next, If you think you have memory like a sieve and severely absent-minded, it's high time you start laughing or phenomenally increase your 'Daily laughing Quota".
Because Laughter can credibly improve your memory. It puts a great deal of emotional context to all your conversations and learnings and commits them to your memory permanently. Well, In a way, I can relate this to my 'group-study' sessions which I used to be a part of, during my school and college days. A group of my friends and friends' friends will gang together and study, explain concepts, pointers and ideas about a subject. In between, we cracked jokes on/off the topic and laughed our heads off! Truly, It worked wonders during my exams, because I was able to jog my memory up pretty well and reproduce what I learnt easily. I still believe 'group-study' in a way, is far better than sitting alone in a room and cramming for the exams all day and night.
Laughter always gives an inner feeling of joy and excitement to you and people around you. It can an make you elated in a half-a-moment with the maximum possible hangover. Just recollect your high school days when neighbours, teachers, friends, relatives and at times even strangers had been the subject of laughter for you. We either ridiculed others or poked fun at ourselves to have a hearty laugh with our friends. These days, during casual chats with my friends, I hear many of them yearning to back to those days of hearty laughter and fun. Now, that says it all- As adults we don't have that many laugh-out-loud moments in our life.
Today everyone of us is a part of some rat race, whether we like it or not. To relieve the boredom, I think, its good to cheer up as much as possible. If you are at work, do ensure you are surrounded by folks who can laugh and joke a lot and can lighten up the mood. If you are at home jobless, you can take some time out to watch comedy movies or shows, sign-up in online laughter forums or join some laughter clubs. By the way, Laughter Yoga or Hasya yoga is quite popular in many countries. Check this link to find some laughter clubs in your area. Lastly, If you love to read books, you can pick some light and funny reads from your library.
Because No medicine is handy, inexpensive and more effective than having a good belly laugh!
The Third Sunday of June is here today and it is celebrated worldwide as Father's day. This was something unheard-of in a country like India, until few years back. And then suddenly, it was all in rage to celebrate Father's day (along with Mother's day, Valentine's day and so on). Well, if there's something to blame, its got to be Globalization. As more number of Youths go westernized, a trend is setting in the Indian Society, where you wish you dad, give him special cards, gifts and even throw a party on this day.
Personally, I'm not too keen in celebrating Father's day and shower him with gifts. At the same time, I'm not refusing these celebrations point-blank! Of course, its so nice to wish the one person who has been tirelessly working for you right from the moment you are born. But, the celebration must not stop with a plain wish or sending him a couple of goodies. If that be the case, I dare say our Father's day celebration is incomplete. Let's take this day to show our dads that we care for them, their beliefs and be thankful to them for their wonderful and irreplaceable role in our lives.
Dedicating a special day for Fathers is a pretty good idea, because it helps me sit and think about my dad who has got a greater role in moulding and coloring my whole life. Today I have a family of my own and live quite far away from my dad, but his advices, life tips, encouraging words still ring in my ears. And sure, yes, his precious few words help me to lead a sensible and thoughtful life, even during my tough times.
My dad is a quiet person who speaks calmly, weighing his words. He was a small time business man in Trichy and so never found difficulty in balancing his personal and work life. Not only he helped my mom in her kitchen chores by cutting vegetables, sprucing up our living rooms, he engaged us with our studies and play. He was as cool as a cucumber during his hard times, especially when his business ran into difficulties and bounced back pretty quickly. Whenever we were ill, he nursed us with utmost patience and got us back to health. I still remember how patiently and skillfully he removed a 'bush thorn' that had pierced my left foot, without causing me a slight pain.
In my growing up days as tweenager or a Teenager, though I had the greatest respect for him, I found his advices utterly boring. Blame it on my growth hormones, most of his advices (which I glorify today) fell on my deaf ears. For instance, I strongly protested his idea of waking up us in the morning and always wanted to doze-off an hour or two more. He religiously believed in healthy 'oil-less' cooking and the menu had lots of green leafy vegetables everyday.Though we slowly got accustomed to eating these stuff regularly, we often treated ourselves with tins of Home made snacks and sweets.
During my Holidays, my dad would ask me to visit the local bank for making small cash deposits. That was his idea of introducing to me the banking and other financial concepts when I was 15 year old. However, me an MTV fanatic, preferred to simply slouch on the couch watching Shahrukh and Aamir khan hits on the TV. Today, my knowledge of Numbers and Banking is 'Next to nil' and who is to be blamed for that?
My dad never had a collection of branded clothing and his wardrobe included a couple of shirts, pants and dhoties, all neatly washed and piled up. He washed his clothes himself and basically likes to keep everything neat and tidy. Occasionally he used to gently advise me to clean up my cup boards that was filled with crumpled clothes and book shelves that were mostly cluttered. However, I never minded the mess around me and happily lived with that. Well, the weirdest part is this: Today, I want everything to be utter clean in my house and get wild when my 4 year old daughter throws things everywhere! I insist her to clean her tiny book rack and make her organize her clothing in separate cartons.
To think of it, It took me nearly two decades to sink in the advices rendered by dad and mend my ways! Of course, other than some of these disciplinary rules I opposed to, I happily obliged to most of his sensible and crucial decisions in shaping my life. These days I converse with him regularly on subjects like Philosophy, Spiritualism, Astrology, Politics, Healthy cooking and eating. Believe me, whatever he talks today makes complete sense to me!
My dad has been my greatest pillar of strength till this day!
I'm sure every Father is too.. to his son and daughter!
Happy Father's day to all the wonderful fathers in the world!
P.S. I write this blog, as Ananya, my daughter is out with her dad to celebrate a special Father's day celebration organized in her Library!
