Happiness is defined as a state of “wellbeing that encompasses living a life filled with deep contentment and meaning” by psychologists but it’s certainly a subjective matter as circumstances, age, environment, and even weather determine the nature and duration of our happy state.

As Dalai Lama in his book ‘The Art of Happiness’ mentions “Our moment-to-moment
happiness is largely determined by our outlook. Whether we are feeling happy or
unhappy at any given moment often has very little to do with our absolute
condition but rather it’s a function of how we perceive our situation, how
satisfied we are with what we have.”

In simple terms, our happiness depends on the narrative we develop about ourselves, the people, and materials we feel associated with, and the values we live by.

My happiness is You and Your Innocent Smile. 

Watching you grow as a lively, joyful, and full-of-life baby completes the substantially definite equation of my life, fatherhood. Your smile is uniquely your own, which glimmers a glimpse of a world without worry and stress. Your undeniably innocent smile radiates pure happiness reminding me that real joy is concealed in little things. We just need to discover and embrace them. Your smile is priceless and I would do anything to keep you smile forever and ever.  

The sight of your smile is the best thing that brings happiness and purpose even on rather difficult days. It’s your smile that makes me forget today’s challenges, the anxiety of future endeavours, and everything that can possibly upset any normal parent at this age. For me as a parent, nothing can replace your perfectly gorgeous smile. I must have done something noble for having you in my life, thank you, Dear Lord.

Cheering for being able to stand, and making the tiny steps while smiling graciously endows me with the greatest jubilation. You look like the most precious being to watch. Those precious eyes of yours, baby teeth showing, and pinkish cheeks strikingly render God’s masterful creation. And your SMILE reminds me to appreciate the blessings we don’t often count. It’s been an overwhelming joy to see you grow and experience the moments of joy in our small world, which is filled with the biggest blessing in the form of your heartening smile, please keep it this way for ever, Ameen.

You have the brightest smile to watch me exercise and making those tiny efforts to join in is the entertainment of my days. Your grinning at our sneezing (lol) makes me realize life isn’t as hard as we tend to perceive. There’s something truly heartwarming about your smile that spreads joy to our lives and reminds us the beauty and wonder of parenthood. We are truly fortunate to become parents of you, dear child.   

As parents, we are blessed to watch you smile when you hear the first chorus of Azaan, watch with joy the children sing Abuzar Roohi’s Salam Farmande, raise your hands humming on Asmal-ul-Husna by Atif Aslam, and clap on Sami Yusouf’s ‘Allah ho Allah – Live version’. You look amused by Tuj Mein Rab Dekhta Hain (Bollywood song), and baby-dancing on Shake it Off (Taylor Swift) is the best after-dinner activity of ours. 

You have the infectious SMILE that completes your being. And when you smile, I feel as if you’re saying “I love you unconditionally baba”. It’s your smile that strengthens the bond we share as parents and our smiley child. And our joy is a pure expression of our unconditional love which grows stronger every moment we continue to share. Your smile is the reflection of your genuine pleasure that transforms the atmosphere of our home and we switch to the happiest mode. And every time I see you smile, I wish you had come earlier in my life. 

Your smile is preserved in my memory; is a testament to the incredible journey we have embarked upon and the endless possibilities that lie ahead of us. It’s been your smile that brings wonder into my world and I enjoy drawing inspiration, optimism, and happiness from your world filled with SMILE and you just being YOU!

You are my Happiness.

Keep Smiling, Gift of God!