Everlasting Smile

Daily writing prompt
When are you most happy?

In the first instance of listening the question I would say when I buy new stationary. I get extremely excited when I place an order for a new marker or sticker. The joy of opening that package when it arrives is almost like opening a gift to myself.

However, if I were to think about it for a while about when am I genuinely happy I would have a different answer. I am the most happy when I can stand aside in the background and see the people I love be happy.

I am trying to be better person. The people that I love: my family and my friends they have given me a lot. When I was weak they have supported me in the ways possible by them. I won’t lie they have given a share of hurt but the joy they give is totally worth it.

I love seeing them smile and enjoy life. I wish I could remove all the horrible memories in their life. I know that it is not possible. However, I do hope to give them to enough happy memories that they forget the pain of the horrible ones. I think then I would the happiest i have ever been in my life.

Priceless Crap

Daily writing prompt
What personal belongings do you hold most dear?

“Crap” is an odd way to define my most precious personal belongings. Agreed. However, it is that box of crap hidden below my bed that I define as priceless.

Over the years the box has changed from a odd shoe box to a cute organizer I ordered online. Oddly, if someone were to open the box they would find a whole lot of trash.

In that box, I have saved small keepsakes over my lifetime that remind me of a happy memory. There are small notes that my friends passed to me during classes, a pine cone from my first time seeing a live pine tree, shells I picked from the beach, and so many other small things that would not make sense to another.

On days that I just want to end everything, those silly little keepsakes takes me back to a time where I was truly in love with life. It reminds me of those moments when I felt that nothing would go wrong. It gives me hope and strength to keep holding on.

And those are my most precious belongings and I will forever cherish it.

Failures

Not to be too cliche but it is true..

I am the kind of person who generally does not work hard for something. But sometimes I make that extra effort to get something I really want. I would plan and replan till it was just right. Then I would stay focused and strive hard but despite everything I failed.

Initially, I used to think that was the end and just give up. When I would see others achieve what I could not I would make myself smaller. I kept thinking that I could not do it cause I was not good enough.

However, one day I decided to fight after may failure. And I realized the second time around I was easily able to navigate the mistakes and though it took me a couple of times to actually win, I eventually did.

I realized that with every attempt I got better and faster. That was the turning point for me. I learnt to fight from then on. No matter how long it takes I will keep trying.

Like Edison said — “I have not failed, but found a 1000 ways how not to make one.”

What experiences in life helped you grow the most?

Seems Ages Ago

Computers were a luxury once upon a time. A magic machine that did things that were so so unimaginable.

My father bought the first computer home when I was 12 years old. I remember him carrying all the way from the store back home. When he reached home he was all sweaty and exhausted. I remember seeing the smile on his face. My sister and I never asked for it but that he got it for us made is even more special.

My father connected it and switched it on. It took quite sometime to boot. The screen opened to Windows 2000 which at that time was a big leap from the earlier Windows 98. I remember the Viewsonic monitor with the little birds logo at the corner of the screen. Always thought it was lovebirds guess they were actually something else.

The computer was so bulky back then. The CPU was a huge box of metal and the heat it emitted was something else. The monitor took up half the study table. We bought a computer table because there was no space for the keyboard and the mouse. All of which was wired to the back of the CPU. Oh and the mouse! there was a trackball for the mouse. We had to regularly open the mouse up and clean the dust off for the mouse to keep scrolling properly. The keyboard was so hard each key was like a stone against the fingers.

I remember the time it took to download a single music file. Watching a video was out of the question I doubt that Youtube was even launched. They are such vague memories. I really can’t believe it those memories have become so insignificant but for my child heart they were so important.

We were so mesmerized by the machine. We did have computers at our school but to have one at home was absolutely the best. My father may not have provide the luxuries in life but he give me everything I need sometimes at the cost of his own happiness. My mother loved watching her children adore their father.

I don’t remember much about the computer as such but I remember the memories associated with it. At that age I may not have appreciated what was done for me but I am glad that I realize it now. I am extremely grateful to my parents for teaching me the value of hard work. It has allowed me to truly understand the sacrifice they have made for me over the years.

Daily writing prompt
Write about your first computer.

Keepsakes

For me many things trigger memories and I have accumulated a lot of keepsakes to remind me of the happy moments. People say that you never forget the happy memories if you truly cherish them. But sometimes when we are emotionally worn-down and every single thing in the world feels like a burden it is those keepsakes that help me remember.

I have kept old photos, old toys, small notes passed between classes, and gifts given by friends. They remind me of a time where I loved everything about my life, where the burdens of the world did not weigh me down and each and every moment was an opportunity to feel loved and feel joy.

To name one, I have a picture a of view outside the very same window that my sister had taken over 5 years ago. The pictures shows the changes that has occurred to the landscape. Earlier there was probably two sky scrapers at a distance but in my picture those very same sky scrapers look like a tiny building.

Those set of pictures really remind me on how many things have changed over the years. Whether you consider it good or bad that really depends, but change, happens.

Daily writing prompt
What makes you feel nostalgic?