Be All Smiles!

Ever had someone told you to cheer up and smile?

Maybe you were feeling down, but their genuine and friendly smile, literally made you feel upside down! All thanks to the random smiley person who brought the power back in you and the negative attitude in you suddenly subsided. This is hard to believe that such a small gesture impacts you.

Whether it’s through pain or laughter, life has an interesting way of teaching people lessons of strength and growth to smile.

Ugh! That Smile Though!

2013, the first time when I saw Naina and Bunny together on screen and I felt Yeh Jawaani Hai Diwani was a nice movie, and the best part was how they got together in the end. As I grew up, I realized there is much more to like in the movie, Naina overcoming her insecurities, Bunny finding himself. But their smile over each other, their love despite all the hardships was consistent. I know film critics will tell me it’s not so special, but it’s not bad either.

I am sure all of us wanted to go to Manali after watching it, to find ourselves in the mountains. Even I wanted to go. Movies aren't real, but what if they are?

In December 2015, I cried at my friend's birthday party and returned home to be upset that evening. After coming home, I even fought with my mother and told my father at the dinner table that he could never understand me. The whole aroma of the dinner turned upside down and we all went on to our beds with heavy hearts.

I took a deep breath and said "After all, everyone has a bad day, as it's your turn today"! Suddenly I saw a message popping up on my phone and it sounded to be a happy one. It was my friend who wanted me to join her for a winter intake. Finally, I gave a big positive smile over it and started discussing more!

It was like a god's sign, My Naina moment. I got very excited and made sure to go on this trip. And I eventually became a part of this trip. Despite all the personal and family issues I wanted to go because it felt like everything will fall in place then. My heart would feel lighter and I hoped this land will become a better place soon.

And It Begins!!!

As soon I entered the bus, I knew it was nothing to be like Yeh Jawaani Hai Diwani. Everything was opposite to my expectations. But I made sure that no matter what, this should be my best trip because a lot was at stake and everything was under control until the bus started to wonder where this kid has come from.

I came on this trip to forget all my problems but here everyone was opening my unresolved issues.

No matter what and no matter who everyone focused on commenting upon me. I started dealing with this thing even before it was a thing. But I gave a cute smile, trying to be normal, and started gazing at the sun from the window as the bus started to move.

Since childhood, everyone kept on telling me who I am, and what I am. Everyone made fun of me and no one cares about how that is making me feel, and I never learned to deal with it. Someone had told me,

“You can't change others and that is why you have to change yourself.”

And like always I decided to be a part of them and join them in mocking me, tried to laugh it off.

Don't go alone, you will get lost! You didn’t grow since your childhood, your hands are too small! I feel like dancing with you, but I’ll have to bend yaar.

My smile made me accept all these and I just wanted to be part. I just wanted to enjoy every moment and I'd left everything behind for this.

I didn’t want to change anyone, explain, or fight I just wanted to enjoy so did I join them. They went on mocking me and I tried laughing and feeling normal Until I heard a voice coming out of the crowd " You should book a car, you can't trek, you are too small"!

What do you mean by I'm small? Why can't I trek? It was the second day of my period, my body has already given up on it, but I had to prove myself.

I just felt like the beautiful mountains shouting my name loudly, and I'd show them that I could do it, so I grabbed a stick and went ahead gracefully. My body was in pain, I was scared, I didn’t want to give up so kept walking on and on and I saw a group of 18-year-olds.

"Look kid is here? How did u manage to come all alone beta?"

I left very bad, I wanted to cry out loud. I left devasted and didn't know how to respond. I was very angry. I picked the stick and I kept walking no matter what, went on and on. And when I turned behind, there wasn't anyone behind me. When I leaned forward to see, I saw many people who would take a lot of time to match my speed. I then sat on a rock. I took a selfie with the mountains and realized that I was alone on the rock.

No bunny came and sat next to me and neither did he tells me,

"You have a killer smile”! If I had a heart, I would fall for you! You’re made of true love!"

To be honest no bunny had to tell this, because I looked very cute that day, with a huge smile of pride on my face. Today when looking at the picture I crush on myself. The cute smile, cheeks red, nose red, what a cutie I was!

I then realized that the advice I'd been given that

"You can't change others, you have to change yourself" doesn’t need a change, but a new perspective.

Of course, you can't change others but that does not mean You have to change yourself.

That does not mean you have to accept all your flaws as your flaws.

You can only change how you look at yourself.

You can only change how you feel about yourself.

You can only change how u smile at yourself even in difficult situations.

After all, it’s all about You!

When life throws difficult paths on us, we all have the opportunity to grow along with it and become better individuals. Through pain and sorrow, you have to learn to look life at from a different perspective.

I believe in the power of a smile to make the saddest of circumstances a little better. I believe in the power of a smile to enrich the happiest experiences in life. I believe in the power of a smile to transcend all barriers between individuals and to create special moments in life