Enjoy Life While It Is Yours...

Enjoy life while it is yours… wow! What a positive way to remind ourselves that life, though it feels like a roller coaster, is meant to be enjoyed. Many times, you wake up in the morning with a plan, things to do at home and at the workplace, and suddenly, life surprises you. For instance, you may plan to go out, but instead get a surprise visit from a friend you haven’t met in a long time. You cancel your earlier plans and spend time enjoying the beautiful moments of reconnecting. Or, you set out for work and suddenly the train or bus is unavailable. You are compelled to reach the office, so you try different ways, an auto, then a taxi, and even walking. Somehow, you manage. And the satisfaction of finally reaching is beyond imagination.

Recently, something similar happened. We were traveling for two days, and it was hectic. But in those two days, we completed our work and also visited temples. Though long queues of people stood waiting, we were privileged to get darshan in a very short time. We returned exhausted, with body ache and headache. The next morning, I had to get up for exercise. Despite the exhaustion, the thought that we were lucky to have had the darshan, even with so little time and such a huge crowd, filled me with gratitude. I meditated on that blessing, and I don’t know what positive energy was generated, but the next morning, I was able to exercise for a full hour without a single complaint.

Why I narrated this story is because many times, we assume we cannot do more, or we feel we don’t have enough strength. But in truth, our potential is much higher. When you think positively and tell yourself, I will live the life I deserve, you begin to enjoy every moment as it comes. There is always light, if we are brave enough to see it, and even braver to step into it. We must learn to embrace every moment of life. Following Lord Krishna teaches us that whether we are with friends, family, loved ones, or even those who oppose us, we must learn to handle situations with our own inner strength.

I visited Varanasi recently. There, I have a hearing-impaired acquaintance who had received hearing aids from our organization. He has always been grateful for that. I knew that if he heard I was in Varanasi, he would surely come to meet me. So, I just informed him one day prior. Immediately, he asked when he could meet. I did not confirm but told him I would let him know. Yet, the next morning, he left his village, took leave from work, and traveled four hours just to see me. He messaged saying, I am in Varanasi, let me know when I can come. I asked why he had done that, to which he replied, You changed my life. For this, 8 hours of travel is nothing. Today, I am able to work and take care of my family because of your organization’s help.

What amazed me most was what he said next: Today you have helped me, but I know that if I work hard and get a permanent job, I will stand with you to help other hearing-impaired people. Just as I received digital hearing aids, I will help them, financially as well as morally, so they too can lead a better life. How many of us who are “normal” think this way nowadays? A person with hearing impairment, still without a permanent job, yet filled with gratitude, confidence, and a desire to give back. Truly inspiring! When I meet such special people, I feel humbled. They live life so differently, yet so beautifully. They enjoy life to the fullest despite challenges, communication barriers, and limitations. The phrase “Enjoy life while it is yours” seems written especially for them.

In today’s scientific world, with countless facilities available, we humans are becoming rigid in our routines. Social media has trapped us into viewing life only through gadgets. But when we step out of that zone and see life in its natural form, without the filters of devices, it is so different. We have nature, our families, and our loved ones around us. Each day, if life unexpectedly gives us free time to go out, we should make use of it. Not always, but even once in a while, it will bring immense joy, not just for us but also for our loved ones. I personally love doing that. Life is full of surprises. We never know what will happen and when. So, we must embrace those surprises, enjoy them, and be ready for whatever comes.

When we teach our child language and expose them to their environment, the child’s response comes as an innocent, beautiful smile. As the child grows, they raise questions, and we happily try to answer them. Even if we don’t know the answers, we search and reply. Many times, their questions surprise us, but we still welcome their curiosity. In fact, we enjoy it. Nowadays, children’s curiosity is even greater because of their exposure to so much information. The real responsibility lies in channeling that curiosity in the right direction. As parents, it is up to us to convert that exposure into positive growth.

Just as we answer a child’s “why, where, when, which, what, and how,” we must also learn to answer our own life questions in the same way, with curiosity, patience, and joy. If we look at life this way, every moment becomes a chance for learning, growth, and enjoyment. Life is not meant to be merely survived; it is meant to be experienced fully. So, let us welcome challenges with curiosity, accept surprises with gratitude, and walk every step with joy. Only then can we truly say: Life is a journey worth enjoying while it is ours.