Shonima Malhotra
‘Happiness is not hidden in wealth or status; sometimes, it floats gently in a paper boat on rainwater.’ It was memory in the making – the kind only innocence knows how to write. Today in the market place.
I saw a child who had come with his parents. While they were engrossed in conversation, he was busy tapping away on his phone seemingly disconnected, yet entirely aware of his surroundings. When his father called him to come along, the boy, though clearly listening, chose to pretend he had not heard. It was a playful silence, not defiance. As soon as his parents stepped out, he stood up – ready to follow. But unaware of his intent his father returned to call him again. And here, the most innocent game unfolded. On seeing his father approach, the child, quickly sat back down, feigning disinterest. The father, now in on the game, played along pretending to leave once more. In that very moment, the boy leapt up again and ran behind him unable to contain his giggles. What unfolded wasn’t just a child’s mischief. It was innocence in motion – pure, unfiltered and heartwarming; a simple moment that brought smiles to the faces of everyone around. Through this little game the child reminded me of a powerful truth: Innocence doesn’t need grand gestures. It finds joy in the simplest of acts.
Innocence is often misunderstood as naivety, but in truth, it is the art of seeing the world with open eyes and an open heart. It helps us approach life without excessive expectations, material desires, judgment, or without the constant weight of comparisons. This simplicity allows us to truly enjoy life – the small joys, the fleeting moments, and the beauty around us.
As children, our hearts beat with innocence and simplicity – we find delight in the little things. But as we journey through life, we often drift away in the endless pursuit of wealth and possessions, weaving our once-simple lives into tangled webs of complexity. The serenity of being with nature is quietly traded for the constant motion and clamor of modern progress. The simple pleasure of building sandcastles is replaced by the pride of owning luxurious houses. The laughter once shared on walks and in noisy school buses is now confined within the quiet luxury of gleaming cars.The excitement of buying four toffees with a single rupee is overshadowed by the race for infinite money.The simple joy of walking with friends or riding school buses while enjoying snacks from local hawkers is quietly lost to the comfort of luxurious cars, grand vehicles, and expensive meals. The fun of playing in scorching heat or dancing in the rain and the pure laughter of friends without the interruption of phones is overtaken by the silent glow and the cold light of our phones. The moments of entire family once gathered around a single TV or VCRare now fragmented, with each room boasting its own LCD. Somewhere along the way; the carefree laughter shared with friends is overtaken with sophistication and showmanship. The art of living in the moment is made insignificant by the urge to capture everything on a screen. In this chase for comfort and excess, the simple joys that once sparked laughter and wonder-the innocent delights found in trivial, everyday moments-gradually get drowned, slipping quietly out of reach. These contrasts reveal how materialism and complexity slowly erode our ability to appreciate the simple joys that once defined happiness. And in that exchange, we lose the very essence of what it means to truly live and feel alive.
As we grow older, it isn’t just materialism that distances us from innocence – it’s also the quiet development of certain non-material traits like ego, judgment, discontentment, and unhealthy comparison. As children, we are blissfully unaware of these tendencies; our hearts are open, curious, and unburdened. But with time, the degree of these traits grows with us, subtly shaping our thoughts and behavior. When we repeatedly nurture emotions like envy, pride, or constant judgment, we begin to build invisible walls around our hearts. These walls keep us from fully embracing the little joys and simple wonders that once came naturally to us as we begin to lose the sensitivity to feel these small yet profound pleasures – the very moments that make life truly beautiful.Letting go of these habits allows us to breathe more freely -to find fulfillment in small victories and to notice the everyday beauty that often goes unseen beneath the clutter of our judgments.
Just imagine a life untouched by the uncontrolled material desires and negative traits – wouldn’t it be a picture of beautiful simplicity? A life where purity of heart prevails, contentment flows effortlessly, and joy blossoms in the most ordinary moments.
It is high time we realize that the small, simple joys that once filled our days – those moments of genuine happiness untouched by extravagance – are gradually fading from our lives. Let us pause to reflect and acknowledge that true happiness has never been about wealth or luxury; it has always been about perspective. A person with little may live a deeply content life, while one surrounded by abundance may still feel a void – for real joy arises from seeing life through an innocent, open-hearted lens, cherishing simple moments, nurturing curiosity, and celebrating everyday wonders.
Let you play, laugh, dance without hesitation, pursue hobbies with excitement, and laugh without restraint. Let you remind yourself that life is meant to be lived deeply, not merely measured by achievements or possessions.
Otherwise, someday later in life, you may find yourselves softly humming a song:
Yeh Daulat Bhi Le Lo, Yeh Shohrat Bhi Le Lo
Bhale Cheen Lo Mujhse Meri Jawani
Magar Mujhko Lauta Do Bachpan Ka Saawan
Woh Kagaz Ki Kashti, Woh Baarish Ka Paani…
Kadak Dhoop Mein Apne Ghar Se Nikalna
Woh Chidiya, Woh Bulbul, Woh Titli Pakadna
Woh Gudiya Ki Shaadi Pe Ladna-Jhagarna
Woh Jhoolon Se Girna, Woh Girke Sambhalna
Woh Pital Ke Chhallo Se Pyaare Se Tohfe
Woh Tooti Hui Chudiyon Ki Nishani
Woh Kagaz Ki Kashti, Woh Baarish Ka Paani…….
a melody that so beautifully captures the essence of lost innocence and the simple joys of childhood – and the song continues, evoking memories that remind of a time when life was effortlessly pure and joyful.
(The writer is Assistant Professor in Sociology, GDC Sidhra)
