A Journey to Happiness

How many of us like our Job. I mean c’mon don’t we do it because that is the first job which we came across and there was no turning back since. Few of us took it because this is the one job which was the last thing we can get and at least the recruiter took pain to go through our resume and gave the job not that we are talented but because they do not have a choice but they desperately need people to do their jobs. I am going to tell you a little story about happiness in life. 

There was kiran. He has never kissed a girl. He had curly hair and he wears shirts which are larger than his size and wears sneakers with his trousers. He did not care about anything except for his books and his assignments. So when he got the Job offer of 32L PA from a highly reputed banking company he did not show any excitement, he was not jubilant about the offer, he calmly walked out of the Interview room and called his parents and informed them BTW he is an IIM graduate. 

Deep down inside his heart he was missing something. He had friends who were always good to him. He did not bother anyone and he had this tag Nerd on his face all the time. No one bothered him as well not that he is selfish like the guys in our class who study for themselves and be in their own cocoon detached from the rest of the world. He helped his class mates in whatever doubts they had but what he loved was painting whenever he gets time off from his studies he paints which was sporadic.

When he got the offer letter He walked to his hostel room and sat on his bed pondering why I am not even happy with the Job offer?? He closed his eyes for a moment and ran a short flashback of his life all he could see is studies studies and more studies. Books books and more books. Assignment assignments and more assignments, Kiran could not comprehend with the same.

He took his painting materials and started to paint which brought him happiness which the 32 lakhs Job offer could not give him, yet 32 lakhs is a colossal amount and no way in his life he could earn so much by painting he finished a painting and was looking at it like a mother looking at her child in her arms. He was blissful and he was content with his work. 

The next day Kiran called the bank HR and said he will pass the offer and will not be joining on the given date. Asked whether he needs a salary hike or if he has got any offer from any other bank his reply was a stiff “No” I would like to Paint. HR was bemused by his answer who would say no to 32L Per annum. Such a Jerk he is I say!!!

Everybody was dumbfounded by his decision I mean who would leave an offer of 32L that was a gold mine right in front of him. He even got a hike of extra 5L and he politely declined. His parents lectured him for like 3 hours which made no difference.

The very next day he packed his bags and booked a ticket to Chennai where Saravanan stayed he is a painter and they met at a painting exhibition and shared a mutual rapport between them ever since.

No one could stop him he had a pretty good saving in his account. He had saved a huge chunk right from the day his dad gave him a ten rupee note when he was 7 years old. So money was not a problem but what bothered him was his future what is he going to do?? What will happen when the money gets over?? This is a risk where all his hard work, his reputation, his parents highly acclaimed social status are at stake but he did not care anything at that point, all he want to do is paint paint and more painting.

Saravanan was quite surprised when he saw Kiran and when he recited the story all saravanan did was smile. 

Then began his journey of pursuing his passion, anxiety crippled with happiness a world which he barely knew yet so familiar and he loved the journey. The moment he started to paint his fear, parents, friends, future everything was far away. Like a dotted line faded in to the darkness.

That is when he realized this is what he is destined to do. The Journey which he has to travel miles but not far from reach. A journey in which distress, the ordeal which he has to undergo is inevitable.

It’s been 3 years but he is a struggling painter his painting were hardly recognized his account balance got over he earned little by painting businessman’s portraits, Cine stars and sold his painting for a meagre amount. He could eat every day and pay his bills but the happiness which he got through painting is something he realized his 32L Job wouldn’t have given him. When he prepared his bed he had nothing to worry all he can think was no other job would have given him this happiness. 

He was sure some day his break will come and he will enjoy his happiness with a drive in a Porsche and a meal at the Taj with a hotshot.

Yes and came the day when a cine star’s portrait won reviews and praised upon. A painting of Amitabh looking upon India gate with a Glimmer of hope the painting says it all. It had life in it. It had the colours the story it couldn’t be any better and his dream came true when he arrived in a Porsche with the same actor and unveiled his portrait which went on to sell in millions.

Happiness is something one in a million will pursue. A journey few will embark upon. Few have chosen that path. Time is never late. Take a risk and it is worth it. When will your journey start??