In Pursuit of Happiness

What is happiness? My mind posed a myriad questions

In pursuit of happiness, I learned these few lessons.

I realised that ‘pursuit of happiness ‘is the most ridiculous phrase

If you pursue happiness you’ll never find it, you will go crazy for days 

What we need to pursue is to reach an optimistic state of mind  

full of thoughts which raise  positive energy leaving the negative  behind 

To  achieve our dream, we must set the ball rolling,

Don’t concentrate on the finishing line, just enjoy the bowling.

Our initial steps may falter and be small and imperfect,

With our sincerity, faith and trust we can strive to become perfect

We have the power for our life’s choices and decisions,

Blaming others for our plight should never be our mission.

Learning to accept change is vital to our success and happiness,

When we change, we grow and understand the world we witness.

Changes take place in our lives, irrespective of our desire,

Embrace them good or bad, and inner strength we will  acquire.

Let go what you can’t control, to be free of misery and frustration,

Change your attitude, focus on the positive, life will be worth living,

Quit talking down to yourself, it becomes very destructive,

Replace self-doubt with self-belief, and your life becomes productive.

Don’t criticise others, focus on yourself, stop seeing their flaws,

Accept your own imperfections, keep yourself busy, at times take a pause 

Don’t run away from your problems and fears, face them bravely,

Take chances and make decisions, own them ultimately.

Quit lamenting or living in your past, live for now, live for today

Don’t fret about your future, accept without regret life’s present play.

Love yourself, be yourself there is no one like you, you are unique,

Don’t compare, compete or imitate that will make you weak.

Forgive yourself and others, it works wonders for your body and soul,

Love and kindness paid forward, helps to reach your happiness goal .

Life is easy, when we find humour in the mundane and smile more 

You only live once, just listen to your heart, your happiness will soar 

It’s all about attitude, stay calm and positive even when you feel blue 

Then you will not pursue happiness, but happiness will pursue you 

When you bring these changes inside yourself, your outside changes 

You find your happiness in small simple things and others look like angels 

No matter how you feel, wake up daily with gratitude in your heart,

Forget  what you don’t have, count what you have, and your day will get a head start!

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(Featured Image: Painting by Dr Pushpa Chaturvedi)

Dr Pushpa Chaturvedi, a paediatrician with over 50 years’ experience, is an educationist and researcher, with over 100 research publications, mainly on social paediatrics in renowned medical journals. Ex-Professor and Head of Department of Paediatrics, MGIMS Sevagram, Wardha, she is a thinker, writer, poet, artist and a spiritual blogger with over 500 blogs to her credit. Dr Chaturvedi is also a keen traveller, music and nature lover.

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