A Fateful Train Ride and a Life-Changing Lesson
Rajiv sat stiffly on the Mumbai-bound train, his fingers gripping the handle of his briefcase like a lifeline. The carriage was packed, the air thick with the scent of sweat and steel. His phone buzzed—another email, another deadline, another reason to feel the weight pressing down on his chest.
Across from him, an elderly man sat with an easy, knowing smile, his eyes crinkling at the edges. The train jolted, Rajiv’s coffee teetered dangerously, and he let out an exhausted sigh.
The old man chuckled. “You look like someone carrying a mountain on his shoulders.”
Rajiv gave a tight-lipped nod. “Just… work, life, everything.”
The man leaned in slightly. “Let me tell you something. Adopt some unconventional path to happiness. It will bring you lot of happiness. Every month, I do something utterly useless.”
Rajiv blinked. “Useless?”
“Yes. One month, I learned how to juggle. Another, I spent a day speaking only in rhymes. Last month, I left anonymous compliments on sticky notes all over town.” The man’s laughter was light, effortless. “It made no sense, but it made me happy.”
Rajiv smirked, shaking his head. The train slowed at his stop, and as he stepped onto the platform, the conversation lingered in his mind. That weekend, he did something he never would have considered—he signed up for an improv comedy class. It had nothing to do with his career, his responsibilities, or his long-term goals. And yet, for the first time in years, he laughed without a care for what came next.
Here are Some Unconventional Routes to Happiness
Do Something Completely Useless
In a world obsessed with efficiency, indulging in something purposeless can be liberating. Try learning Morse code for fun, making up secret handshakes, or collecting bizarre trivia. Or something that you always wanted but stopped short because of social pressures. The freedom to do something just because you can is a forgotten luxury these days.
Master the Art of ‘Micro-Rebellions’
Tiny, harmless acts of rebellion—like wearing mismatched socks, taking a different route to work, or leaving a joke in the ‘special requests’ box while ordering food—inject spontaneity into life. These playful acts remind us that not everything needs rigid rules.
Say ‘Yes’ to the Unexpected
Instead of defaulting to routine, make a conscious effort to say ‘yes’ to something unusual—a last-minute road trip, trying an unusual dish, or taking an obscure online course. Unpredictability breaks monotony and sparks excitement.
Write Your Own Obituary (And Then Change Your Life Accordingly)
Morbid? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely. Writing what you’d want people to say about you after you’re gone forces you to reevaluate what truly matters. If your ideal obituary doesn’t match your current life path, it’s time for a course correction.
Remember – Happiness also lies in the Unexpected
Happiness doesn’t always come from predictable sources. Sometimes, it hides in absurdity, in letting go of control, in doing something that makes no sense at all. So, take a page from the old man on the train—try something ridiculous, something impractical, something just for you. Who knows? You might just stumble upon happiness when you least expect it. Follow the unconventional path to happiness
