PEACE BEGINS WITH A SMILE

Ruchi has spent more than half of her married life in pain for not having a son, heir for the family. This made her always feel incomplete and incapable. She has endured a lot of taunts from society and her relatives for the same. She had undergone all required medical treatments. After going through emotional, mental, and physical pain for ten years, she was blessed with a baby girl. Prayers were answered; finally, she is blessed with a child. She was happy but not satisfied as she always longed for a boy.

Due to the complications during the delivery, Dr said she could never conceive again in her life. She loved her daughter but always felt something was missing. Her husband also felt the same, feeling disappointed for not having a son in their life. They had an opinion that daughters, after they grow, ultimately get married and go away. What about them after that. In old age, they will be left all alone. Thinking about the future, they forgot to cherish the moments in the present. Time moves fast, especially in the case of daughters. In no time, they were celebrating their daughter’s 6th birthday.

All such thoughts kept Ruchi unhappy. This was now affecting her work in the office. She was the Managing Director in a multinational company. Her work was suffering from her present state of mind, stress, and anxiety. She was going pale and weak day by day by wanting something which was not possible. One day there was an opening in the company, so a beautiful and charming lady ‘Richa Sharma’ was recruited as the new assistant manager. She had a class with brains. She was a happy soul. Her presence started filling up the entire office environment with happiness and positive energy. She was dedicated to her work. Everybody was pleased with her and her efficiency. Ruchi was also impressed with her attitude and outlook towards life. She always carried an impression of ‘blessed in life.’

Slowly but gradually, Ruchi and Richa formed a habit of having afternoon tea together in the office, taking a short break, and chit-chatting. One such day while they were talking casually, the topic of their conversation suddenly jumped to personal life. Ruchi was shocked to know that being married for about more than 15 years still, Richa didn’t have a child. Ruchi asked her in surprise, hasn’t she undergone any treatment for conceiving, especially IVF! Richa said she had undergone the entire process of IVF not just once but thrice. But it seems God has some different plans for her. Later she developed fibroid, and they burst in her ovaries and uterus. So, to save her life, doctors had to remove her uterus. She can never become a mother now. Ruchi felt pity for her and showed sympathy. On which Richa smiled and said, ‘Please don’t feel sorry! I am fine. And having children is a gift from GOD. One can pray for it but can’t have it on-demand or forcefully.

Ruchi was touched. Richa smiled and continued, ‘I feel I am one of the exclusive masterpieces created by Him that cannot be replicated or replaced.’ Probably that’s why He doesn’t want me to conceive. Ruchi was moved away by her every word and her confidence, positivity, and attitude. She had this aura of being thankful for everything in life. Being curious and staying cautious, Ruchi asked her again, but what about the society and the world we live in? Don’t they hammer you with taunts? On which Richa replied – ‘I have my strong weapon with me, my SMILE.’ When people taunt you, they want to enjoy or hurt you, but I don’t give them that space or power; I reply with my smile. Ruchi asked her don’t it hurt you, but? Again with her divine smile, Ruchi replied, ‘Why can’t we be happy with what we have rather than what we don’t have? Why do we lose what we are having for desiring what we don’t have or can’t have? Life is precious, and living enthusiastically is an art. We can stay happy only if we are grateful for what we have. I take life positively, especially my married life. She continued by thanking God that now my husband’s entire focus and attention with his love and care is for me and only me! If we had children, it would have got divided. She laughed her heart out, sipping her tea.

Ruchi had realized where she was going wrong. The conversation has left a mark on her heart. She was content now. She felt how stupid she was that despite having such a loving daughter in the form of God’s blessing, she was so ungrateful. That night she slept hugging her daughter tightly and feeling complete, thanking all her blessings in life.

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