Secrets of Happiness – Unboxed (Short Story)

10-May-2019 | Friday | 6.30 PM 

It is told that if you throw a small stone in Bangalore, it will fall on an IT Professional. Yes, it might fall on me as well, as I am also in Bangalore. I am Prem, a proud IT professional, working in a South Korean MNC. 

In my office car parking, I have boarded the black Honda City, of our Department head Narayan. Both of us are going for our Quarterly Team Dinner at AB'S restaurant, Marathahalli, sponsored by our Company. Everyone from our team has already left the office to the restaurant. As both of us are stuck in one important meeting, we are a little late. 

While driving his car, Narayan has kick-started the conversation and asked me "Prem, how you are happy always?" 

"It is a trade secret and I won't reveal it" I answered and winked.

"Please share your trade secret, so that I will also be happy" he said emotionally.

"If you promise me that, you will follow it religiously, then I will unbox the trade secret," I said smilingly.

“In the name of God, I swear that I will follow it” Narayan replied so fastly.

I could read from his eyes that he is genuine. So I have decided to tell the ancient secret of happiness, that I have learned from my beloved masters. 

"The secret of happiness is to Live in The present" I said.

"What? Is it the secret of your happiness ? I don't believe it" Narayan asked confused.

"Yes, It is the secret. Are you living in the Present ?" I asked him.

"Yes, Of course " he replied with confidence.

"If you are living in the present, you will be happy. If you are happy, you will be living in the present" I answered rhythmically.

"Can you explain me in detail?" he asked Puzzled

"Sure. Do you know why Children’s are happy?" I asked.

"No idea" he replied safely.

"Have you watched the children's playing in the ground? They will be so involved in it and will always wear a smile on their face"

"Prem, you are correct. Even I too was happy when I am a Child"

"Secret of their happiness is that they don't worry much about the past or future. They simply enjoy the present moment"

"It is making some sense. However, it is very difficult to follow for us who have lots of responsibilities in office and home" Narayan questioned

“Sir, It is a very good question. Now I could understand how you have become the Department Head. It is by asking the right questions, right ?"

"There is no use being a Department head for a Mobile Division, I want to be the Department head for Happiness. Can you give some easy tips to live in the Present moment" he asked eagerly.

"Each tip will cost Rs.1000 as the Free demo is over," I said Jokingly.

"Prem, I will pay you Rs.10,000 per tip" he said, concerned

“I will make a note of it and will claim it when needed"

"Sure, Please go ahead" he said 

"Do more of what makes you happy daily" I said 

"What does it exactly mean?"

“Whether you are happy with your current Job?” I asked

“To be honest, I am not happy. I want to become a Motivational Speaker like Tony Robbins, however fate have landed me here” he said, concerned. 

“The fun fact is that you are not alone, more than 85 percent of the people in this world do the job that they don’t like. If you do a job that you don’t like you will be in stress, instead of being happy” I said. 

“I cannot switch my career now, as I have Home Loan, Car loan and Personal Loan” he replied, worried.

“Understood. Even I too don’t want you to switch your career immediately. As a first step, you need to identify the areas that make you happy in your current Job”

“I like making a creative presentation and delivering it to the audience” he said, cheerfully.

“That sounds good. Why cannot you help your subordinates to make a good presentation? It will give you some happy hours in the office” I asked. 

“Yes, you are right. I haven’t thought about it until now. I can do it” he said, gleefully. 

“As a next step start giving free Inspiring and Motivating sessions to your Apartment members and to our office colleagues every month whenever you are free”

“That is an incredible idea. I love doing it as it aligns with my passion”

Suddenly, it started raining heavily. Yes, even NASA cannot predict rain in Bangalore. I love traveling insider the car,  during rain without being Wet. I started enjoying my ride happily. However, Narayan was still busy thinking about his next moves. Before he gets lost in his own thoughts, I brought him back.

“I have seen the book ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ written by Robert Kiyosaki in your cubicle. Have you started your financial planning to achieve financial freedom ?”

“Yes, I have already started my financial freedom Journey and I will retire within ten Years from now”

“Wow. I am happy about you, as only very few people take such wise decisions”

“Thank you. Can you give some more tips to live in the present moment ?”

"Sure. You are so much attached with your 6-year-old daughter, Am I right ?"

“Yes, you are right. She is the rainbow in my life. How did you know it ?”

“During our last year team outing, you have spent the whole day with her. You haven’t acknowledged my greetings also on that day” I said sarcastically. 

“Oh really. I am sorry. I was so involved playing with her and I didn’t notice the things and persons around me”

“It's Ok. I am just kidding. Now you have found your next secret for happiness right? ”

“Yes, from now onwards, I will go home early daily and spend quality time with my daughter”

“Amazing. You got it right. Do you need some more tip ?” I questioned

“I got the secret Formula already, I will do my homework and write down all the things that make me happy and do more of it daily”

“You are smart” I said smilingly.

“Thank you so much for giving these wonderful tips. I will follow it religiously”  

“I don’t want your Thanks, I just need a free VIP pass to your Motivational and Inspiring sessions” I requested

“Sure. Why not ?” he said with a positive smile.

Finally, we have reached the AB's Restaurant, Marathahalli at 7.30 PM. Special Thanks to the Ongoing Metro and Flyover construction, we have taken around one hour to cover a distance of 6 Kms in the slow moving Bangalore traffic. 

The rain had stopped and we could feel a cool breeze when we stepped out of the car. Narayan was looking confident and marched towards the restaurant with a blissful smile on his face. 

Summary : 
1. If you are living in the present, you will be happy. If you are happy, you will be living in the present.
2. Do more of what makes you happy daily. 

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