Comfort Food For The Soul

Most of the time, when I look at the rain, it reminds of me of my childhood. Of course, this is when I'm looking at them from the comfort of my own window, not when I'm stuck in traffic or stranded somewhere because of them. However, my point is that as a child, I used to absolutely adore the rains. They made me feel happy, elevated even. To quite a large extent, they still do- the sound of the drops hitting my roof, the feel of the spray on my outstretched palms and my eyes, wide as ever, staring out at the endless skies- Unbeatable. If you really think about it, there are some things that appeal to you, at a 'soul level', if I may say so, universally. Even if there is no real explanation as to why they make you so happy.

These things, they never change. Sure, sometimes, the idiocy of adult life and its many tasks may get in the way, but the appeal of what I call 'Comfort Food' for the soul never waivers. Tax your brain a little and try to ponder over this. When you're feeling cold and a little low, doesn't a cup of warm soup and crusty bread instantly help you out? When things don't seem to be going right, and you discover a song that you like, and you keep playing it on a loop in your head, doesn't that often put a smile on your face? Sometimes its something as simple as a slice of dark chocolate cake, and sometimes its as complicated as sitting down to knit a jumper. People call these things hobbies, but I really don't think they are. These are things that we do almost routinely, yet they make you day just a little bit brighter. Often, its not even the task or the outcome of the task that makes you feel better, but just the memory associated with the first few times of doing it that does the trick. If you don't understand what I mean, keep what I just said in mind the next time you go sit on the swings in your park/school. Trust me, it'll be clear then. These are all experiences that are almost demeaned when you put them into words, because they're usually small things, mere objects or activities. And yet, they have a way of making you happy deep inside, even if it is just momentarily, 

There is an irony to this as well. While I say that there are things that give us this pleasure for each and every one of us-no exceptions, they are seldom the same things. For some, it is the feeling of eating whipped cream or a pack of chips, for others it is the feeling of riding your bike on a smooth, empty road. For you, it may be trying on your favourite dress and heels and parading around the house when you're alone and for someone else it may be reading their favourite book again on a lazy afternoon. For someone, it may be the simple act of holding your loved one's hand, or it may be the high the one derives through a cigarette or a joint. For somebody else, it can even be watching reruns of 'Friends' or 'Hum Saath Saath Hai.' Hey, don't judge. People get happiness, comfort and satisfaction from the strangest things. Most of us derive sadistic joy out of bitching about others, so let's not go around raising any eyebrows.

No matter what it is that makes you "happy-on-the-inside", just remember that it is usually a tiny thing. And if something small can make you cheerful, just remember that it can demolish the big problems, one moment at a time.