The True Delight of Possessing Your Long-Awaited Desires

I recently had a conversation with my dad about the immense joy he felt when he bought his first property. It got me thinking - what is the happiest moment I've ever experienced? Whenever I ask my friends about their happiest memories, they often mention getting their first job, receiving their debut paycheck, or becoming homeowners. This used to puzzle me. Why did I not feel that elation when I got my first paycheck? I distinctly remember that day, yet I felt no surge of emotion. Unlike my friends or even my sister, who celebrated upon receiving their first salaries, I remained curiously detached.

Similarly, when I finally bought my first property, I didn't share the elation my father and friends seemed to experience. On the day of registration, I merely went back to work, treating it like any other day. My father's voice was filled with pride when he called to congratulate me, and I sensed my mother's happiness beside me, but still, I felt strangely numb.

As years went by, I gradually comprehended the essence of genuine happiness. I learned that true happiness stems from acquiring something you've always desired. My own moments of joy were different. I remember traveling from Bangalore to Hyderabad just to take my family to a movie I had already watched. The delight on their faces when they watched a good film and the happiness they had when I visited them for the weekend - those were my sources of happiness.

Back then, when I received my salary at the age of 23, my mindset wasn't centered around money. I was immersed in the struggle to learn and excel in my chosen field. Money wasn't my priority. Similarly, when I purchased my first property, I had plans to sell it later for a profit. That's why the experience left me unfeeling.

This brought me to a realization: the difference between my father, friends, and myself was in our motives. When they obtained a property, they dreams were like building a home or raising a family there. For me, happiness took on a different form. It was about owning things I'd yearned for.

I remember two instances in my life where I felt true happiness. The day I acquired a camera for myself with my hard-earned money, and the day my dad bought me a Royal Enfield Classic 350 motorcycle. These were things I had always wanted. I've had a fascination with photography since childhood, and that camera was a long-held desire. And as for the Classic 350, I can't quite explain it - I fell in love with it when it was launched and knew I wanted one as soon as I had a job. My dad made that dream come true.

These two instances remain my most cherished memories of happiness. They taught me that genuine delight comes from fulfilling personal aspirations. It's not about conforming to societal norms but embracing what makes your heart truly content. So, yes, I have been happy all along, in my own unique way.