What is Happiness

The number of things just outside the perimeter of my financial reach remains constant no matter how much my financial condition improves. With each increase in my income a new perimeter forms and I experience the same relative sense of lack. I believe that I know the specific amount needed that would allow me to have or do these few things I can’t afford, and if my income would increase by that much I would then be happy. Yet when the increase comes, I find that I am still discontent because from my new financial position I can now see a whole new set of things I don’t have. The problem will be solved when I accept that happiness is a present attitude, not a future condition” – -Hugh Prather

WC 2011 Rewind...

When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.

It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting....

The World at our Feet.....

02/04/2011.... Gut's, glory and redemption was my early morning FB status message, as we started preparing ourselves for the mother of all finals, the cricket world cup final. The quarterfinals and semifinals had already taken a toll on my mind and the last thing I needed was another humdinger. I am normally a non-superstitious person, but when it comes to make India win, then i cannot stop myself from jumping onto the superstition bandwagon to do my bit to make India win. The sad memories of 1996, 2003 and 2007 were all fresh in my minds and I simply avoided remembering the worst case scenario. During the break time, i jokingly called my brother and said don't wait for my call in the evening, it's all curtains for India now. It was just a friendly banter to annoy him as he was watching the match in a PVR in grandiose settings much to my chagrin.

Deep down my heart even i believed that even chasing the towering 270 something, we had the batting power to easily chase down the total. So when the Indian reply started i calmly took my corner seat on the sofa only to find to my horror Sehwag caught as a dead duck in front of  the stumps. What to do now, in frustration I changed position and sat cross handed with one of my legs dangling down...Eureka Sachin smashes one trademark straight drive. Yes i got my Totka, i thought, i will not change my position now. Come one Sach lets do it now, your 100th ton and we winning the world cup, the mere thought made me go high.......i remember sitting with fingers crossed for the entire Indian innings in the 2003 world cup Pakistan match to guide India to victory......THUNDERSTRUCK.....Slinga Malinga sends the master packing to the pavilion. I felt as if the Mayan prophecy of the end of the world came true albeit a little early and not on December 21st 2012 but on April 2nd 2011 with the epicenter at the Wankhede stadium. Crawling down in sheer angst i found a new position on the mattress where i repositioned myself and boy you bet i stayed there for long. With every single being chipped off and the youth brigade taking guard you could feel still being in the hunt. For me the turning point of the match was when Dhoni promoted himself the order. For a man awfully short of runs in the tournament, it was a very bold step. You could see the intent in his eyes and the assurance that the cup is not going anywhere. All great captains in the cricketing history have led by example and his single act propelled him to greatness adorned by the likes of Imran Khan, Arjuna Ranatunga, Kapil Dev, Ricky Ponting and Clive Llyod. All these men were world cup winning captains and more importantly had performed in the finals when it really mattered. MSD was not to be left behind. 

I never knew what it felt being a world champion. Few can argue that we were crowned the 20-20 champions, but it was more like having the starters and then left deprived of the full coarse meal. For a nation devoid of glory in team sports ODI cricket world cup is our best bet. 

Just as i was about to make myself mentally prepare to get ready for that big occasion MSD sent the ball towering into the crowds. It was a fairy tale ending, Indian captain chasing down a mammoth toltal and ending the world cup with a six. We not only just won the cup, we snatched it after it started to slip from our hands.

And then the most brilliant part. A feeling you can not sum up in words. Something ethereal, divine, out of the world, sheer ecstasy. You don't need alcohol to get high, it was one of those moments. I always joke that i don't know how it feels to cry because i struggle to remember the last time i had cried. With tears of joy gushing down my cheeks the first person i remembered was my younger brother. I still remembered the India's semifinal lost to Srilanka is 1996 and his tears after the match. This time also we had tears, but it felt great crying for a change.It was a sweet redemption for both of us.

 Looking at the players and the over powering emotions one could not help but marvel how much it meant to them. And then the camera zoomed in on Sachin. With Vande matram being played in the background, you could see the Superman jumping in delight. An absolute fairy tale ending for him.  The only cup missing from his elite list of trophies was right there beckoning in front of him. The dream had finally been realised. More than any person in this entire world, this cup belonged to him. As Virat Kohli aptly summed after his lap of honour, he carried the weight of the entire nation for 21 years, it was high time we carried him around.

People often ask, which was the happiest moment of my life. I can say the night of 02/04/2011 was my best. I can die in peace now. Thank you team India.