Do gaj zameen

Its NOT the name of a Hindi film, directed by Bimal Roy (the director of the original Devdas and Parineeta and multiple other memorable films) with Hrishikesh da having written the screenplay and dialogues. Its one of those movies which make be a big Balraj Sahni fan (something I dont often remember, but am forcefully made aware of this fact everytime I see one of his films). Its a very touching and sad movie which epitomises the struggle many Indian go through in their quest for survival. That was "Do Bigha Zameen".
Anyways, the idea today is not to write about Hindi cinema in general or any movie in specific. Instead, I wanted to share my thoughts on what does a human being really need to live a happy life.
The title reads "do gaj zameen" because that is what a person finally needs on the way out to the after-life. The issues lie not at the end, but in the entire interim when the person is alive and goes about his/her business of life on this planet.
At every stage of life we are always wanting something or the other. It could be simply material things - more money, better house, bigger car, better clothes, more jewellery and so on, or it could be the rest of the 'moh' items such as love, affection, respect, acceptance, dominance, etc. Do we ever sit back and question if we really need all these things to be happy? Or are we getting into a trap.. a trap which will lead us on into this mad race of life where we are chasing something at every point and not bothering to stop and enjoy what we have today.
When I think back and reflect on these things, I am amazed at how stupid each of us is. What other word can I use when we throw away an opportunity to be happy today!!
I am not saying that one doesn’t need things in life to be happy. I am simply saying that most of us (those who are probably reading this), are endowed with enough to make us happy. We only have to have the wisdom to recognise this fact and "Be Happy". And if you still dont get it, here's what it is - good upbringing, a spouse who loves us for what we are, parents who have given us the best they could - selflessly, education from the better institutes in the country, jobs that we may crib about but that are sought after by more people than we can imagine, decent money (cannot say good as it is never enough ;) and a promise of a bigger and better future. How many people have all of these on this planet??
Yet most of us are unhappy!! Why??? Have we ever stopped to think about this? If not, I suggest a pause here, before you read on!!
I once attended a course on "Art of Living". The instructor, Maureen, asked - "What is the one thing you need to be happy?"
Each of us had varying answers and gladly shared those, each trying to convey that he/she was less greedy in life than the other. Someone wanted more money, love from children, peace of mind, less painful mother-in-law, better job, better house and so on. The key thing, however, was that everyone did want or need something to be happy.
Maureen said - "What if you get each of these things? Will you be forever happy then? Or will you then want something else?"
The answer was obvious, even though many did not venture as far as to say it.
The moral was that one has to learn to be happy with what one has today and now. That is the only truth in life. What was yesterday is gone and no more. What will be tomorrow, we do not know. The only thing we have is in the today and now. And if one really wants to be happy, one has to be content with what one has today. Tomorrow may bring something better. That would be a bonus. Do not tie your happiness to what that tomorrow may or may not bring.
Your happiness is within your control. All you got to do is just "Be Happy".
PS: the movie bit at the start was just something I wanted to write.. had nothing to do with the rest of the post!!!