Let's laugh with others

We all know the maxim- a friend in need is friend indeed. We have also heard that the person who sympathizes with us or gives us a shoulder to cry on when in distress is the one who is truly ours. I have realized over the years that more important than the person who cries when we cry is the one who laughs when we laugh- one who becomes happy when good things happen to us. If the first kind are rare then the second kind are rarer.

Even some of my friends, when I share some happy news seem very uncomfortable with their responses. They find it so difficult to come up with some positive expressions and words. Life is never a zero sum game. Our happiness has not come on account of somebody else's sorrows. What is happiness other than a state of mind? There are people who are happy having half-cup tea at a road-side stall and there are people who are sad even after buying a brand new bunglow just because the gate lock is not of their liking. So, why not be open and natural? Why not be happy at others happiness?

I am at the other side too. Over the years I have developed the attitude of celebrating others successes or happy moments, sometimes even more than themselves. Giving treats when they get a sal-hike, throwing bachelor parties, taking them for small getaways, playing colours, organizing birthday parties- sometimes it may feel a little ostensible or as some of my friends say foolish- but I know of no one "correct" way of living. It brings joy in doing things just out of happiness and not for any other purpose. It's blissful to do things that make others feel that this man is happy on your happiness; he is celebrating your success or happy events.

Let's have an open heart, let's do unconventional or "foolish" things, for they are called so because not many had the audacity to try them. There's nothing bad or ugly in this world.