NihshabdBlog

Tag: Mindfulness

  • The Day I Stopped Chasing Butterflies 🦋

    The Day I Stopped Chasing Butterflies 🦋

    What’s something you used to worry about but don’t anymore?

    WordPress really made me stop and think today.

    The Day I Stopped Chasing Butterflies wasn’t a title I planned.

    It all began with one simple prompt:

    “What’s something you used to worry about but don’t anymore?”

    Poor WordPress.

    It asked one tiny question…

    …but life handed me a much longer answer. 😄

    I think being a woman teaches you certain lessons much earlier than you expect. And honestly, not just women—life has a funny way of teaching all of us, whether we signed up for the class or not.

    So here’s my little list…

    Or maybe not a list.

    More like a collection of things I quietly stopped carrying.

    I stopped worrying so much about… people.

    What will people think?

    I spent years editing myself before speaking.

    One day I realized most people weren’t even reading my script—they were busy rehearsing their own.

    Turns out, people have their own lives, their own problems, and their own endless to-do lists. They’re not running a 24/7 surveillance team dedicated to me.

    What a relief. 😄

    Making everyone happy.

    I tried. Really, I did.

    Then I realized it’s like charging everyone’s phone while your own battery is at 2%.

    Someone is always going to be unhappy.

    These days, if I’m smiling, I call it a successful day.

    Outgrowing people.

    I used to believe every friendship had to last forever.

    Now I know some people are chapters, not the whole book.

    They came, they taught me something, and they moved on.

    That’s not failure…

    That’s life.

    I stopped worrying so much about… myself.

    There was a time when saying “I don’t know” felt like admitting defeat.

    Now it feels like honesty.

    Even Google occasionally says, “No results found.” 😄

    I also stopped worrying about changing my mind.

    If people say, “You’ve changed,” my first thought is…

    “I certainly hope so.”

    Software that never updates eventually crashes.

    Humans aren’t any different.

    And don’t even get me started on productivity.

    I used to feel guilty for resting.

    Now I know even my phone demands to be charged before it starts complaining.

    Why should humans be any different?

    And finally… I stopped worrying so much about life itself.

    Every closed door once felt like the end of the world.

    Now I just assume life saved me from walking into the wrong room.

    What’s meant for me usually has a funny habit of finding me anyway.

    I also made peace with silence.

    Earlier, every quiet moment felt awkward.

    Now silence often says more than words ever could.

    And starting over?

    That one doesn’t scare me anymore either.

    Beginning again doesn’t mean starting from scratch.

    Experience quietly packs its bags and comes along for the ride.

    So no matter how many times life says,

    “Start again…”

    I know I’m never truly starting from zero.

    Somewhere along the way…

    I learned how to live.

    Not because life suddenly became easier.

    But because I slowly stopped expecting happiness to arrive one fine morning, ring the doorbell, and politely introduce itself.

    I spent years chasing happiness.

    Running after people.

    Running after approval.

    Running after expectations.

    Running after that imaginary moment when everything would finally be perfect.

    Then one day I realized something that changed everything.

    If you want butterflies, you don’t spend your life chasing butterflies. You build a garden where butterflies would want to stay.

    Maybe happiness works the same way.

    The Day I Stopped Chasing Butterflies 🦋

    So instead of chasing everyone and everything, I started creating a life that feels like home to me.

    A little embroidery.

    A little gardening.

    Digital illustration.

    Writing.

    Music playing in the background.

    Dancing in the kitchen while waiting for the tea to boil.

    Painting when words aren’t enough.

    Getting lost in a good suspense thriller.

    Spending unhurried time with my family.

    Playing Ludo together and laughing over the silliest things.

    Years from now, I don’t think we’ll remember who won the Ludo game… but we’ll definitely remember who was sitting around the board. 🤍

    Maybe every home deserves a tiny family ritual.

    It doesn’t have to be anything grand.

    A board game.

    An evening cup of tea.

    A short walk.

    Even simply a little time together.

    Sometimes, the smallest rituals become the biggest memories.

    Tiny moments.

    Simple joys.

    Nothing extraordinary.

    Yet somehow…

    They make ordinary days feel beautiful.

    Maybe that’s what happiness looked like all along.

    Does that mean I never worry anymore?

    Of course not.

    (Okay okay… some things still sting. I’m not a saint. 😛)

    But now I know where to return when life becomes too loud.

    Sometimes I even wonder…

    Have I finally achieved moksha?

    Then someone cuts me off in traffic, my Wi-Fi stops working, or an online order gets delayed…

    …and I’m immediately reminded—

    Nope. Still very much attached to worldly things. 😂

    Now I’m curious…

    What’s something you used to worry about… but don’t anymore?

    Or tell me this…

    What do you do to worry a little less… and live a little more?🤍

    I’d genuinely love to hear your answer in the comments. 🦋✨

    .

    Until the next whisper…
    —Rajeshwari 🧿💕

    © Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

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    If this whisper stayed with you, you may also enjoy reading If I Had to Be an Animal for a Week | A Butterfly’s Lesson

  • Learning to Dance with the Waves

    Learning to Dance with the Waves

    Life comes in waves.

    Which explains why
    just when you’ve convinced yourself

    “I’ve finally figured life out…

    …the sea quietly laughs.

    And sends another wave.

    Some arrive
    with flowers in their hands.

    Others don’t even knock.

    They simply barge in,
    rearrange your plans,
    borrow your peace,
    and leave without saying goodbye.

    Rude, honestly.

    For the longest time,
    I thought the secret
    was finding calm waters.

    Then life smiled and said,

    “No, dear…

    the trick is learning
    not to spill your coffee
    every time the boat rocks.”

    So you learn.

    You stop arguing
    with every wave.

    You stop asking,

    “Why me?”

    Because, quite frankly,

    the sea has terrible customer service.

    It never answers.

    Instead,

    it teaches.

    It teaches that
    not every delay
    is a disaster.

    Not every goodbye
    is a punishment.

    Not every storm
    has your name on it.

    Some are simply
    passing through.

    And somewhere
    between holding on
    and letting go,

    you discover
    that you were never
    becoming fearless.

    You were simply
    becoming someone

    who could smile,

    fix the sail,

    and whisper,

    “Well…
    that was interesting.”

    before rowing on.

    Because life
    has never promised
    a sea without waves.

    Only the chance
    to become
    someone who knows

    how to dance with them.🦋

    🌊

    .

    Until the next whisper…
    —Rajeshwari 🧿💕

    © Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

    .

    If this whisper stayed with you, you may also enjoy reading The Hard Years: Not the Final Chapter

  •  The Best Dreams Whisper

     The Best Dreams Whisper

    What’s your biggest dream?

    My biggest dream?

    The best dreams whisper, don’t they?

    .

    People expect answers like…

    “Travel the world.”
    “Own a beach house.”
    “Retire early.”

    .

    Meanwhile, I’m over here dreaming about finding my phone on the first try, remembering why I walked into the kitchen, and drinking one cup of hot chai before it turns into iced tea. The bar is surprisingly low these days. 😄

    .

    But jokes aside…

    .

    My biggest dream isn’t to become famous or collect followers like Pokémon cards.

    .

    It’s to build a life where my family feels safe, my heart feels light, and my creativity never packs its bags and leaves without notice.

    .

    I want to keep writing words that make someone smile on a difficult day, feel understood in a lonely moment, or simply pause and think, “Wait… did she just read my mind?”

    .

    Because if one stranger, somewhere in the world, finds comfort in something I wrote, that’s a far better reward than any trophy, trend, or algorithm.

    .

    After all, algorithms can be a lot like some relationships in life—they’ll put you on a pedestal when they need you, and the moment they don’t, they’ll quietly set you aside as if they never knew you at all.

    .

    I’ve also reached that age where my dream includes things that once sounded terribly boring:

    A peaceful home.
    Good health.
    Laughter that comes easily.
    Plants that refuse to die.
    Wi-Fi that doesn’t buffer.
    And knees that don’t negotiate every staircase.

    .

    Turns out adulthood has a very strange way of editing our bucket list.

    .

    So no…

    .

    My biggest dream isn’t to be known by everyone.

    .

    It’s to leave behind words that quietly stay with someone long after they’ve forgotten my name.

    .

    Because some dreams are loud.

    The best ones? They whisper.

    .

    Until the next whisper…
    —Rajeshwari     🧿💕

    © Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

    .

    Read More : Life Is in the Little Things | Nihshabd

  • The Promise to Myself I Never Broke

    The Promise to Myself I Never Broke

    What’s a promise you made to yourself that you’ve actually kept?

    The promise to myself I never broke wasn’t about waking up at 5 a.m., sticking to every New Year’s resolution, or finally resisting the urge to buy “just one more” plant.

    We make promises all the time.

    “I’ll start on Monday.”

    “I’ll sleep early.”

    “I’ll stop buying plants because there’s no space left on the balcony.”

    That last one? Let’s not discuss it.

    But the promise to myself I never broke wasn’t about waking up at 5 a.m., drinking more water, or finally resisting the temptation to bring home “just one more” plant.

    The truth is, the hardest promises aren’t the ones we make to other people. They’re the quiet little promises we whisper to ourselves when nobody is listening.

    I’ve broken my fair share of them. Some lasted a week. Some didn’t even survive until lunch.

    But a few… somehow stayed.

    Not because I have extraordinary willpower. (I don’t.)

    But because they quietly became a part of who I am.

    Looking back, I realized the promise to myself I never broke wasn’t really one promise at all. It became a collection of little promises that slowly shaped the person I wanted to be.

    The Promise to Myself I Never Broke Began with Curiosity

    Age has tried very hard to convince me that I should now be an “expert.”

    Curiosity had other plans.

    I still Google random things at midnight.

    I still wonder how flowers know exactly when they bloom.

    I still fall into rabbit holes that begin with “I’ll just check one thing” and somehow end with ancient civilizations, octopuses, or why toast always lands butter-side down.

    Grey hair may arrive without permission.

    A curious mind, however, is entirely optional.

    And I’d like to keep mine.

    I Promised Myself I’d Keep Making Things

    Not everything needs to become a masterpiece.

    Sometimes a few written words are enough.

    Sometimes it’s a sketch.

    Sometimes it’s crochet.

    Sometimes it’s watering a plant that stubbornly pretends it’s on vacation.

    Creating reminds me that I exist for more than ticking boxes on a to-do list.

    The world celebrates finished products.

    I secretly celebrate beginnings.

    I Promised Myself I’d Never Let Age Decide My Joy

    Apparently, growing older comes with an invisible instruction manual.

    “Act your age.”

    Wear sensible shoes.

    Don’t laugh too loudly.

    Don’t dance in the kitchen.

    Who wrote these rules?

    Because I’d like a word.

    If something makes me smile, I’m keeping it.

    My knees occasionally file complaints.

    My heart hasn’t submitted any.

    I Promised Myself I’d Collect Memories, Not Perfect Moments

    Perfect days are suspicious.

    Real life spills tea.

    People arrive late.

    Photos blur.

    Rain ruins plans.

    Cake collapses.

    Someone always blinks.

    And years later…

    Those are exactly the stories everyone laughs about.

    Perfection is forgettable.

    Memories never are.

    I Promised Myself I’d Keep Showing Up

    Not every day feels magical.

    Some mornings, motivation doesn’t even bother sending a text.

    Still…

    You get up.

    You write one paragraph.

    Water one plant.

    Read one page.

    Smile once.

    Tiny victories are terribly underrated.

    Life isn’t won in giant dramatic scenes.

    It’s quietly built in ordinary Tuesdays.

    I Promised Myself I’d Keep a Little Corner of Childhood Alive

    I still get excited over the first rain.

    I still smile when I hear an old song.

    I still stop to admire an unusually shaped cloud.

    And don’t even get me started on books that smell like childhood.

    Growing older is compulsory.

    Growing boring?

    That’s entirely negotiable.

    I Promised Myself I’d Never Rush Through Beautiful Moments

    Life keeps telling us to hurry.

    Faster.

    Quicker.

    What’s next?

    But some things refuse to bloom on our schedule.

    A sunset.

    A heartfelt conversation.

    The fragrance of morning coffee.

    A flower that opens only for a single magical night.

    The best moments in life don’t ask us to speed up.

    They quietly ask us to stay.

    And I’ve learned that staying is sometimes the bravest thing we can do.

    The Promise to Myself I Never Broke: A Collection of Small Promises

    I’ve forgotten birthdays.

    Missed deadlines.

    Burnt toast.

    Killed a few innocent houseplants.

    (They deserved better.)

    But the promise to myself I never broke has survived.

    To stay curious.

    To keep creating.

    To laugh loudly.

    To notice small wonders.

    To make memories.

    To show up.

    To protect the tiny child inside me who still believes ordinary days can suddenly become extraordinary.

    Because the day I stop doing those things…

    I’ll still be growing older.

    But I won’t really be living.

    So if someone ever asks me about the promise to myself I never broke, my answer won’t be just one sentence.

    It will be this way of living.

    And that’s one promise I have no intention of breaking.

    .

    Until the next whisper…
    —Rajeshwari     🧿💕

    © Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

    .

    The Heart of Real Friendship ✨

  • Life Is in the Little Things | Nihshabd

    Life Is in the Little Things | Nihshabd

    The Older I Get, the More I Realize…

    Somewhere along the way, we all started believing that happiness is always loading…

    .

    When I get that job.
    When I buy that house.
    When life finally “settles down.”

    .

    But here’s the plot twist.

    .

    The moments that stay with us forever are almost never the expensive ones.

    .

    They’re the ones nobody planned.

    .

    That cup of chai that somehow turned into a three-hour conversation.

    .

    Laughing so hard your stomach hurt and you couldn’t even explain what was funny.

    .

    A random drive where Google Maps had no idea what was happening.

    .

    Singing every lyric wrong with people who didn’t care.

    .

    Getting a text that simply said,
    “Reached home?”

    .

    Or a hug that quietly meant,
    “I’ve got you.”

    .

    Funny, isn’t it?

    .

    At the time, those moments felt completely ordinary.

    .

    No perfect lighting.
    No filters.
    No viral reel.

    .

    Just people being present.

    .

    And somehow…

    .

    those became the memories we keep replaying in our heads years later.

    Maybe happiness was never hiding in bigger paychecks or bigger dreams.

    .

    Maybe it was sitting across the table with a cup of chai.

    .

    Maybe it was that friend who stayed a little longer.

    .

    Maybe it was a normal Tuesday that nobody thought to photograph.

    .

    The older I get, the more I realize…

    .

    Life doesn’t become meaningful because of the big moments.

    .

    It becomes meaningful because of hundreds of tiny ones we almost ignored.

    .

    If life gave you just five minutes to relive one memory… no edits, no rewind, no second chance…

    which one would you choose? ❤️

    .

    Until the next whisper…
    —Rajeshwari     🧿💕

    © Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

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    Read More : Why My Brain Goes Blank During Conversations

  • Why Are We Always in Such a Hurry?

    Why Are We Always in Such a Hurry?

    I have a question.

    Why do we run to answer the door…

    but tell our own health,

    “I’ll deal with you next week.”

    Funny, isn’t it?

    The doorbell rings…

    and suddenly we’re trying to break our own personal speed record.

    The phone buzzes…

    and we grab it before it’s even finished buzzing.

    Someone texts,

    “Can we talk?”

    And just like that…

    we’ve imagined seventeen different scenarios…

    none of them good.

    Then there are elevators.

    The doors start closing…

    and out of nowhere, we discover athletic abilities we never knew we had.

    One hand goes between the doors.

    One foot follows.

    Dignity? Optional.

    All this to save…

    Seven. Whole. Seconds.

    Everything Has Become an Emergency

    Seriously…

    Why are we always in such a hurry?

    Who convinced us that everything needed immediate attention?

    The parcel can wait.

    The message can wait.

    The sale can wait.

    Even the microwave politely gives us thirty seconds before it starts yelling.

    But us?

    We’re permanently operating in Emergency Mode.

    We’ve somehow trained ourselves to believe that every beep deserves our attention and every bell demands a sprint.

    The funniest part?

    We’re never actually in a hurry for the important things.

    Going to bed early?

    “Tomorrow.”

    Drinking enough water?

    “In a minute.”

    Booking that health check-up?

    “Next week.”

    Replying to that one friend we’ve been meaning to call?

    “This weekend… hopefully.”

    But if our phone vibrates…

    We react like it’s personally calling our name.

    Congratulations! You’ve Won the Marathon of Nothing

    We rush through breakfast.

    Rush through conversations.

    Rush through weekends.

    Rush through birthdays.

    Rush through sunsets because we need the perfect picture before the colours disappear.

    We refresh the food delivery app every thirty seconds…

    as if staring at the screen will make the rider pedal faster.

    We press the elevator button five times…

    apparently because the first press wasn’t convincing enough.

    We stand up the moment an aeroplane lands…

    even though the doors aren’t opening for another ten minutes.

    Somewhere between all that rushing…

    Life quietly walked past us.

    Probably…

    at a perfectly normal speed.

    Maybe Everything Doesn’t Need a Sprint

    Here’s a wild idea.

    The next time your doorbell rings…

    Don’t sprint.

    Don’t perform a 100-metre dash across the living room.

    Just…

    Walk.

    Normally.

    Take one deep breath.

    Smile.

    Open the door.

    I promise…

    The delivery person won’t disappear because you took six extra seconds.

    And if they do leave…

    They’ll probably come back tomorrow.

    But here’s the thing…

    Parcels can be redelivered.

    Meetings can be rescheduled.

    Messages can wait.

    Life doesn’t.

    So maybe the real question isn’t…

    Why are we always in such a hurry?

    Maybe it’s…

    What are we so afraid we’ll miss… that we’re missing life itself?

    .

    Until the next whisper…

    —Rajeshwari 🧿💕

    © Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

  • My Mind Walked 5000 Steps Today | Nihshabd

    My Mind Walked 5000 Steps Today | Nihshabd

    Hit 5,000 steps today and drop your achievement here — we’re cheering you on!

    My Mind Walked 5000 Steps Today. It may sound like I went on a long walk, but the truth is, those steps happened inside my mind.

    Everyone’s dropping their 5,000-step victories.

    .

    Meanwhile, I’m over here proudly completing 5,000 thoughts instead.

    .

    😄 My mind has been running a marathon all day, even if my feet haven’t moved much.

    .

    Some days, life asks us to slow down rather than speed up. And that’s okay. Tomorrow is another chance to lace up my shoes, step outside, and let my feet do a little of the work my mind has been doing.

    .

    Until then, I’m celebrating the tiny victories too because every journey starts with just one step, even if that step comes tomorrow. 🤍

    .

    My Mind Walked 5000 Steps Today reminded me that not every journey is measured by a fitness tracker. Sometimes, the longest journeys happen quietly within us.

    Celebrating the little victories with you, always.
    With love,
    —Rajeshwari 🧿💕

    © Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

  • I’ve Been Eighty Since I Was Eight

    I’ve Been Eighty Since I Was Eight

    What do you love now, that you hated when you were younger?

    I stared at this prompt for a good five minutes, convinced my brain had simply forgotten something.

    Then it hit me.

    I’ve Been Eighty Since I Was Eight. 

    That’s the only answer this prompt gave me.

    Surely there had to be something.

    Bitter gourd? Early mornings? Silence? Staying home? Folding laundry?

    Nope.

    Maybe that was the answer.

    The more I thought about it, the more I realized…

    I couldn’t answer this prompt because the things I love today are the very things I loved as a child.

    I’ve been suspiciously eighty years old since I was eight.

    As a child, I loved hiding in a quiet corner with a notebook, doodling, writing stories, humming old melodies, and creating entire worlds that existed only in my head.

    Apparently, my idea of fun has always been… unconventional.

    And some things, apparently, never left me.

    I still stop to admire butterflies in the garden.

    I still collect pretty leaves because… well, someone has to appreciate them.

    I still get embarrassingly excited when a rainbow appears, as if the sky made it just for me.

    Apparently, I’ve been delightfully easy to please my entire life.

    Some people outgrow these little joys.

    I seem to have renewed my subscription every year.

    I still get ridiculously excited by a blank page.

    I can lose track of time while making something with my hands.

    The smell of books still deserves its own perfume.

    A beautiful sky can stop me mid-sentence.

    A handwritten letter still feels more magical than a text message.

    Growing up didn’t make me fall in love with these things.

    It simply gave me permission to stop apologizing for loving them.

    Maybe that’s adulthood.

    Not discovering new passions…

    But realizing the little “boring” things you loved all along were never boring at all.

    Turns out, my younger self wasn’t strange.

    She simply knew what made her happy.

    Although…

    The more I think about it, the less certain I am.

    Was I really eighty years old when I was eight…

    Or am I still eight at heart?

    Because I still stop for butterflies.

    I still smile at rainbows.

    I still bring home pretty leaves.

    I still think clouds tell stories.

    I still believe the sky puts on a show just because someone remembered to look up.

    Maybe I’ve spent my whole life being an old soul…

    With the heart of an eight-year-old.

    And honestly?

    I hope that never changes.

    .

    Until the next quiet thought,
    —Rajeshwari 🧿💕

    © Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

  • What Success Means to Me – Nihshabd

    What Success Means to Me – Nihshabd

    What’s your top tip to be successful in life?

    If I were the kind of person people point at and say, “Now that’s success,” maybe I would have a long list of tips to share.

    But the truth is, my definition of success has changed over the years.

    It no longer wears a suit, carries a title, or sits inside a bank balance.

    For me, success now looks a little different.

    If My Children Are Growing With Love

    If I can give my children a safe place to fall,

    a reason to dream,

    and the confidence to become who they are meant to be,

    then I feel successful.

    Not because I shaped their future,

    but because I stood beside them while they shaped their own.

    If My Home Feels Like Peace

    Success is not a perfect house.

    It is a home where laughter lingers,

    where tired hearts find comfort,

    and where people feel seen and loved.

    If I can create that kind of space,

    I consider myself fortunate.

    If I Can Be There When Someone Needs Me

    A listening ear.

    A helping hand.

    A shoulder during difficult days.

    If my presence makes someone’s burden a little lighter,

    that feels like success too.

    If I Am Still Learning

    Success is not reaching a final destination.

    It is remaining curious,

    making mistakes,

    learning from them,

    and continuing to grow no matter my age.

    If I Sleep With A Grateful Heart

    At the end of the day,

    if I can close my eyes knowing I tried my best,

    loved sincerely,

    and lived honestly,

    then I have already achieved something valuable.

    My Definition Of Success

    So my top tip for success?

    Do not borrow someone else’s definition.

    The world may measure success in numbers,

    but your heart measures it differently.

    Find what truly matters to you,

    nurture it with care,

    and protect it from comparison.

    Because success is not always found at the top of a mountain.

    Sometimes it is quietly waiting at the dinner table,

    holding your hand,

    calling you Mom,

    or smiling back at you from the life you have built.

    And for me, that is more than enough. ❤️

    A Final Thought

    Success is important. Having goals, working hard, and striving to achieve them gives our lives purpose and direction. But in the pursuit of success, we should not forget who we are or neglect the things that truly matter.

    It is possible to chase our dreams while still making time for our loved ones, our well-being, and the simple joys of life. Balance is important. A growth mindset is important. But so is gratitude.

    Growth helps us move forward, while gratitude reminds us to appreciate how far we have already come. And when success is accompanied by contentment, it becomes even more beautiful—because true success is not just about reaching a destination, but also about enjoying the journey.

    .

    May you find your own definition of success—and the courage to live by it.

    —Rajeshwari 🧿💕

    © Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

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  • The Happiness Department | Happiness Myths and Everyday Joy

    The Happiness Department | Happiness Myths and Everyday Joy

    What’s a common misconception people have about happiness

    I used to think happiness was very professional.

    You know…

    The kind that arrives only after reviewing your application.

    “Thank you for your interest in Happiness.”

    “Unfortunately, you do not meet the requirements at this time.”

    Please try again after:

    ☐ Losing weight

    ☐ Making more money

    ☐ Becoming successful

    ☐ Fixing your life

    ☐ Getting your children to answer texts on time

    ☐ Learning how to fold fitted sheets

    So naturally,

    I spent years trying to qualify.

    I made plans.

    Backup plans.

    Emergency backup plans.

    And a few dramatic speeches

    for situations that never actually happened.

    Meanwhile,

    happiness was behaving very irresponsibly.

    It showed up at odd times.

    While eating the last piece of cake.

    While finding money in an old handbag.

    While cancelling plans and staying home.

    Especially while cancelling plans and staying home.

    The strange thing is,

    nobody tells you this.

    They tell you happiness lives in big moments.

    The promotion.

    The dream house.

    The perfect vacation.

    The life-changing achievement.

    And yes,

    those things are wonderful.

    But somehow,

    the happiness from buying a new refrigerator

    lasts about three business days.

    Then you’re standing in the kitchen thinking,

    “Well… now what?”

    Maybe that’s the biggest misconception.

    We think happiness is a permanent resident.

    Turns out,

    it’s more like that friend who drops by unexpectedly,

    makes you laugh,

    steals a biscuit,

    refuses to stay long,

    and leaves before you can ask for a selfie.

    It visits during ridiculous moments.

    A perfectly made cup of tea.

    A joke that shouldn’t be funny but is.

    A song you haven’t heard in years.

    Fresh bedsheets.

    Finding out tomorrow is a holiday.

    Finding out someone else made dinner.

    Now THAT is happiness.

    These days,

    I don’t chase it quite so much.

    Mostly because I’m tired.

    Also because happiness seems to enjoy hide-and-seek.

    The harder I look,

    the faster it runs.

    The moment I stop searching,

    there it is—

    sitting quietly beside me,

    hiding in a good laugh,

    a familiar voice,

    an unexpected free afternoon,

    or a cup of tea that somehow tastes exactly right.

    And perhaps that’s the biggest misconception of all.

    We think happiness is waiting for us somewhere in the future,

    while it keeps waving at us from the present.

    So tell me, dear friends…

    What is one small thing that made you smile recently?

    Not the big achievements.

    Not the life-changing moments.

    Just something simple.

    A phone call from someone you love.

    A favourite song playing unexpectedly.

    A warm cup of tea on a quiet afternoon.

    Holding hands with the person who makes your heart purr.

    Listening to the giggles, laughter, and mischief of children filling the house with life.

    Or a furry little companion who greets you as though you’ve returned from a year-long expedition, when in reality you only stepped out for ten minutes.

    Maybe happiness isn’t hiding in extraordinary moments after all.

    Maybe it’s tucked inside these little everyday moments that ask for nothing except to be noticed.

    I’d love to hear about one of yours. 💛✨

    .

    Leaving you with a little happiness today,
    —Rajeshwari 🧿💕🦋

    .

    While writing this, I was reminded of another thought that has stayed with me for a long time: we often spend so much energy searching for meaning that we forget to notice the magic already sitting beside us.

    The Garden Within: A Letter to My 20-Year-Old Self

    A Little Bit of Magic Called Life

    For Every Woman Who Forgot Her Spark✨