There are three things that will, at any point of time, transform the landscape of my emotions. Dark chocolate. Old-school jazz. Rain. You could throw in a rugged game of basketball, but I'm still nursing a sore index finger from the previous impromptu game of boys gone wild on court!
I find myself savoring the exquisite taste of Singapore Sling and a home-baked chocolate cake, Dexter Gordon from The Black Box of Jazz, on the pod, while gentle droplets bounce off my window pane. I'm in a mood to write. [Someone pointed out that I always write unnecessary prologues and epilogues to even the shortest of blog entries. Thank you for your observation... it's called personal style :p]
What would be your first reaction to a book titled, "Why Good Things Happen to Good People (WGTHTGP)?" Mine was indifference. "That sounds like Karma and I don't necessarily advocate the principles of Karma, bad things happen to good people all the time and great things happen to the worst of people," I thought. Here's something I've learned over the years - it's always a good practice to read the synopsis of a book, the beginning and a random chapter in the middle of the book. If it holds your attention, then you question if the content of the book is something that will aid your goals in life. (Hard to justify chick lit and blatantly shameless fiction, but the soul needs a diversion sometimes). Then you buy it.
A friend of mine picks up books that have the best opening lines. Can't beat, "The scent of bitter almonds always reminded him of the fate of unrequited love." Love in the Time of Cholera, Gabriel José Gárcia Marquez.
The opening chapters of WGTHTGP proved me wrong. This isn't a book about good things happening to good people - it's all about how good people are strong enough to cope. It ties with another book I recently browsed through, "Laws of Attraction", that talks about universal laws of goodness. A kind act sets off a series of events in motion. A good deed may not benefit you directly, but in the grand scheme of events, it triggers something bigger than just your act of generosity.
Whatever drives you, give - physically, emotionally, materially, financially. Generous people are, after all, the happiest and that's a scientific fact ;)
