Somebody once commented that it is very easy to make people cry, but most difficult to make them laugh. His words kept echoing in my mind and after giving it a serious thought I agree with this belief completely. Here I would like to add, to make others smile or laugh, there should be a sense of humour or a funny bone in the other guy’s body. Also what I may find funny, could be something very ordinary or mundane for the other person. Time and again I go back to my days of childhood and youth which is a Pandora’ s box filled with innumerable happy, sad & touching experiences. I remember when I was in the primary school, we were told about the class photograph that was going to be taken the next day. Hence all were asked to be present and turned out smartly. The next day arrived, though we always went to school dressed up smartly, but that particular day our uniforms were ironed crisply, our boots had the extra sparkle due to the special polish and effort that had gone in shining them.Each one of us thought we were looking no less than movie stars. The cameraman came with that huge box like, old fashioned camera and placed it on a high iron stand. He was a short fellow, but very enthusiastic, in fact proactive. He was quick on his feet and went around arranging all the students for the class photograph. Finally, the teachers were seated and we were all ready. This shorty ran to take our photograph and had to climb up a little stool to reach the camera. He continued giving instructions even when he was behind the camera. In the end he asked us to be at ease and look at the camera with a smile without moving. We all stood still, holding our breath and he called out 1, 2, 3 and there was a loud CRASH! A street dog had managed to come inside our school premises and started barking at the cameraman who was so startled that he and the camera went down with a loud crash. Our instructions to smile turned into loud laughter, whistling and hooting from all the boys. After getting over the initial shock the teachers also continued laughing, holding their sights with tears running down their cheeks. Somebody realised that the poor guy and his camera also needed help to get up and the camera stand needed to be straightened up and balanced again. A very ordinary or should l say – daily happening, but the way the chain of events ocurred was hilarious. Till date it brings a smile on my face and leaves my stomach with a fluttering sensation. I must tell you about another incident when I was in college. My friends and I had gone to the canteen and ordered our usual tea and samosas, a popular Indian snack, like a triangluar patty, stuffed with spicy potato and peas filling and deep fried in the end. My friend was treating us so he gave a hundred rupee note at the counter, where the canteen fellow was also taking orders and money from other students. While he got busy with others we picked up our tea and snacks and moved to the nearby table. When my friend asked him for the balance, the canteen fellow said, “What balance? First pay the money, then ask for the balance!” So my friend explained that a few minutes ago he had given him a hundred rupee note, but the man refused to remember having taken any money from my friend. There was an argument between the two, as such instances had happened in the past too. My friend was very angry, but controlled himself as our professors were also present in the canteen. That day we left the canteen, but in hearts we had promised ourselves to teach him a lesson. The opportunity came very soon… When we went to the canteen a few days later and found a big tray full of samosas ready to be fried. Since it was very early in the morning all the helps and the canteen owner were busy cleaning and sorting out various things. Two of my friends winked at one another and quickly emptied their bags which had their books and placed a newspaper inside and filled both their bags with all the samosas in the tray and sneaked out. The rest of us followed them with their books in our hands. Our joy knew no bounds with our sense of achievement and we went to a local sweet shop next to our college gate. We requested the cook there to fry all the samosas for us. The man obliged us, for he was very kind and knew us since we often visited his shop. You’ll be surprised to know that he charged us only 10 rupees to fry about a 100 samosas. Not only did we have a samosa feast that day, but whosoever passed the college gate and happened to be our friend, was invited to have free samosas. Out of human tendency, everybody wanted to know the mystery behind the free goodies, but that was a secret of only a few of us and we continued laughing with that mischievous twinkle in our eyes. You have to believe me that even as I’m writing, I’m smiling and wishing if only I could turn the clock back and get to meet my friends only for a few hours and enjoy the good old days… Hey! I was supposed to be sharing a happy incident and I’m becoming nostalgic and sentimental. Its difficult to laugh and make others laugh, but both are equally important. So don’t miss an opportunity that life gives you to smile or a chance to bring a smile on an unhappy face.

A lot of people who know me ask me why I love my wife so much. If there was one reason it would be another thing , but there are innumerable reasons why I have high regard for her. I will share an instance with you. A few years back I had gone to meet my client who was busy at a construction site. We took the lift, unfortunately we got stuck as there was a power cut and the lift stopped. I was with my younger brother thankfully.

Since it was the hottest time of summer, each minute was a touture. We tried the emergency button and banging the door, shouted for help, but to no avail. The phones became useless as there wasn’t any network. We had to spend a few hours locked up before we were rescued. After this incident I realised that I had developed a phobia for lifts and couldn’t bring myself to step inside one.

Last year my dear friend called me to share the good news of his newborn baby girl. My wife and I decided to go to the hospital to meet the new arrival. On reaching the hospital we were informed by the receptionist that the maternity patients” ward was on the seventh floor. Hearing this I became very worried which was quite evident to my wife, for she never needs to be told and understands most of the things without having to speak them. The first thing she said to me was not to worry, as we would not take the lift and go by the stairs. This eased off my tension immediately.

As we were heading for the stairs, we happened to pass  the lift. My wife remarked casually that we could take the lift just to give it a try and get out on the first floor and take the stairs thereafter. It was a matter of only a few seconds and the place wasn’t deserted, there was a liftman and power back up too in case of power failure or load shedding. Since she was so positive and motivating,I agreed to give it a try as I didn’t want to break her heart.

We got into the lift and in a few seconds reached the first floor. I was absolutely fine and hopped out beaming. This is when my wife suggested that we could try going to the next  floor. I gave in and we repeated this process by taking one floor at a time. From challenge it became fun and we were on the seventh floor in no time. I heaved a sigh of relief, on the other hand my wife asked me not to worry about the time to return as we had experimented enough for the day and would go down the stairs.

My anxious mind relaxed at once and I spent time talking and laughing with my friend, his wife the proud parents of the little one. It was time for us to go and my wife innocently suggested that we could try the lift and go down one floor at a time. I gave in and we repeated the same procedure. By the time we landed at the ground floor,  my fear had vanished. I realised that it was no big deal and I could manage using the lift on my own and haven”t looked back since then.

Here I also want to share another incident when I was going for a wedding with my wife. On the way my driver suddenly stopped the car with a.loud screech. Both of us were were shocked for a few seconds and before I realised what was the reason, my driver and wife had rushed out to help a young boy who had fallen from his cycle. They had closed the doors and the driver had also taken the car keys, due to habit. Now my car has auto locks, so all the doors and windows got locked and couldn’t be opened. For my right hand was paralysed and the left one was in a plaster. For the very first time I realised that this too could stress me out. Within a minute or two I was sweating profusely and my heart was thudding loudly and ready to burst out of my chest. I felt I was going to die of suffocation. Just then my wife turned around and noticed me waving frantically. She ran towards me and quickly opened the door.

Now I had another phobia to deal with. I felt if left alone in the car, I would end up dying due to lack of oxygen. Within a week we had to go out again and I was reluctant to go by car. My wife got me preoccupied in her chatter and asked me to get into the car. Once I got in , the driver pulled out the keys as he had been instructed by my wife beforehand and they both shut the door. Panic struck me and before I got disturbed she opened the door, asking me to breathe easy since all was well and there was enough oxygen to last for a long time. I was worried without any reason. With my permission she locked me in again asking me to wave in case I felt uneasy or scared. When this was repeated a few more times my fear gradually left me and I have regained my confidence again.

Friends it has been said often but I have tried and tested the fact that we shouldn’t run away from our fears and phobias. If we face them with courage they will be forced to leave us. I want to add further that the help of a near and dear one or friends we can help us overcome these demons so easily. Go out and get rid of them now and live a life free of unnecessary stress and anxiety.