Cats' cradle- Day 5 of #100happydays

“Look, I can make a star”, my sons’ friend told me. Her first attempts were clumsy, but she finally produced a star- something I’d never learnt to do when I was addicted to cats’ cradle.

When I got home, I cut out a length of twine, to see how much I remembered- I had forgotten most of it, but a lot came back to me. I stored it up to teach the kids. Isn’t it marvelous that despite all the electronic distractions available to them, kids today are still fascinated by the things that we loved when we were young?

 

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Science can be Fun- Day 4 of #100happydays

“Do we have vinegar at home?”, asked the older one casually.

 “I don’t feel like eating my egg”, said my younger one. “Can I have it to play with?”

I knew where this was leading. They had been pouring over a book called “Freaky Science Experiments”, and wanted to try one where you used vinegar to dissolve the shell of an egg. There was no real reason why they should not do it, so I helped them set the experiment up.

Four days later, they are still fascinated by the bouncing egg they are creating. Science can be great fun!

 

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Can you be happy for 100 days in a row. Sign up for #100happydays
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A Sliver of Sunshine- Day 3 of #100happydays

In Bombay, you learn to hide from the Sun. You stay indoors when you can. If you have to venture out, you slather on the sunscreen, grab an umbrella, and cut your trip short. You dislike the Sun.

And yet, for those delightful few weeks in winter, the Sun is welcome. You sidle up to that sliver of sunshine, and make it your own. You share, but only with those who you absolutely adore.

A bit of sunshine. A cuddly teddy bear. A good book. The ability to enjoy it all. Do you really need very much more in life? 

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Can you be happy for 100 days in a row. Sign up for #100happydays
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True Contentment- Day 2 of #100happydays

I had set my heart on participating in an All-Women 100k Ultramarathon, but just couldn’t make it work for logistical reasons. But a friend registered for the race, and even finished it. Happy though I was for her, I expected there to be a lingering taste of disappointment when I met her. Not so. While she was speaking of it, I was there with her, for her.

When you reach the stage where you are genuinely happy for someone else for getting something that had been denied to you, that’s the day when you realize you have discovered true contentment.

With my 'sole sister', Barefoot Priya

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Can you be happy for 100 days in a row. Sign up for #100happydays
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Cooking Happiness- Day 1 of #100happydays

Cheesecake is one of the few things we agree on as a family. Specially strawberry cheesecake. We don’t tolerate it. We don’t merely like it. We, all four of us, love it. Even the younger one who is absolutely indifferent to anything that needs to be consumed, and the husband who’s perfected the art of gobbling stuff without having to taste it.

So when I found fresh strawberries in the market, I picked up the rest of the ingredients, and proceeded to make cheesecake. It took forever, but can there be anything more fun than Cooking Happiness for the Family?

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Can you be happy for 100 days in a row. Sign up for #100happydays
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#100happydays

The Internet is playing up. Your throat is raspy. You're laden with a week of grocery shopping and the lift isn't working. Your bread refuses to rise, and you're white sauce remains lumpy.

There are dozens of things to fret about. But what about the things that make you happy?

The sunshine on your back. The chirping of the birds. A tight hug from the kids. A coffee cupcake.

Enter #100happydays.

The premise is simple. Share a picture of something that made you happy, everyday for 100 days. Focus on the things you have. Realise how blessed your life really is.

I'm doing this challenge on Instagram. You can follow me there- nuts246

Their "lot in life"

Over the last few days, three friends have spoken to me about “lot in life”. To hear them speak, their life has been one of constant misery, with no visible end to their suffering in sight. Not for a moment am I belittling their problems- unless you experience it yourself, you can have no idea what another person is going through.

Yet, the same people also have so much to be thankful for, all of which they take for granted. Yes, it is natural to want more. But when we have so much, shouldn’t we also be counting our blessings? 

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This is the fifth year that I am going to be a part of NaBloWriM. The writing mojo seems to have deserted me, but by elaborating either on a quote that touches my heart, or by attempting to capture a fleeting emotion, let me see how long I last.