There are so many different things I could begin this post with to speak of my school reunion. I was meeting them 25 years later.

I could begin with the fact that we shared our lives, and found that most of us had our usual ups and downs – with just a handful leading those happy lives and a handful leading helpless lives.

Or I could begin at the beginning and speak of how reluctant I was to bring myself to my last reunion.

But they would all be of little interest to you.

So let me begin at the end.

At the End of the Reunion

It took my school reunion for me to learn 3 home truths that bring happiness to my life. I hope they are of some use to you.

1. To open myself to the world – When I think of the fact that 5 of my school classmates have passed away, or the fact that one of them can no longer see and is worried about his daughter turning blind too – I can’t begin to think how utterly insignificant 80% of the things I’m concerned with in my life are. And I stopped looking inwards to look at what I want; but to look outwards at those around for what they need – and that’s how I view opening myself and letting the world in. It gives me a deep sense of peace if I do it even one bit.
2. To care for others and see the goodness in them – I met classmates who had kept their lives on hold to take care of their families. Each one without exception wanted to know that each of us was doing well. There was so much care and concern for those that weren’t and they lent a helping hand. And I learnt to have a readiness to listen without judgement and a willingness to help without expectation. It helps me sleep with a smile at the end of the day.
3. That being happy requires me to just ‘be’ and to do what I love – It doesn’t require me to be at the top of what I do, nor achieve, nor have an audience. I could have walked the 25 years of my life after school with the same confidence that I walked with during school – I used to sing in front of the class (average performance), I acted (less than average), I spoke on stage (good), I studied (good grades), I played (about average).  I was happy just doing. I don’t do them anymore.

And then I was free. Free from the burden of my expectations.