Happy New…?

I did nothing special on the night of 31st December, but, hearing the revelries outside, began to wonder why they were drinking, dancing and bursting crackers all night.

I wondered why they were drinking, dancing and bursting crackers all night.

Why were they celebrating?

To forget the stress of the lives they led last year, or to hope for a happier next year?

Despite deep thought overnight – because sleep was impossible in that noise – I did not find an answer, till I saw this forward!

After that, there were many messages, all wishing me a Happy New Year, which, I believe, is akin to wishing a happy married life, because both do not come without a fair share of arguments.

Ask Richard Burton. He married five times, and twice, consecutively, to Liz Taylor.

Now that’s optimism! And why not?

Later that day, a friend called and said, “Best wishes for your new year!”

“My new year? When is yours?”

“On Gudhi Padwa.” He said in a patronising tone.

That made me wonder, when is the actual new year? 

Different religions and countries follow their own calendars and celebrate new year on various dates. 

With the Earth revolving around the sun in a circle, where is the beginning and where is the end? Then what differentiates old from new?

But the same logic applies to every season, every month and every day. 

So why not wish others and yourself a Happy New Month and a Happy New Day?

And going a step further, why not Happy New Hour and Minute and Moment?

Each moment is unique and will never come back, no matter how we spend it.

Then, why not live only the next moment happily?

If we can be happy only for a moment, every moment, it will build up to a lifetime of happiness.

And who does not want to be happy?

So, let me wish you something easily achievable, yet profoundly ambitious:

Happy New Moment to you!

 

©Avinash Chikte