#ChampionsWithCP-Happiness is not relative, but absolute- Guest Column by Vinayana Khurana

Vinayana Khurana, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy in early childhood, is a writer. She has published books and articles on leading media portals. Vinayana talks about why staying happy in spite of a disability is important. She also points out that it is not a difficult task with the right confidence and positive attitude towards life.

I have met a lot of people in my lifetime, who have asked me one thing over and over again. How come you are always positive and always smiling? To this I answer with a smile, my happiness is absolute, not relative. What do we mean by that?

Yes, we can be ‘happy’ in any adverse circumstances in life. Being happy does not always mean dancing around with flowers and announcing that I am happy today. No, that is not the case. Happiness is a state of being, a state where you feel that whatever you have, is for your best. Moreover, this state of enabling you to work more towards making yourself better each and every day is known as absolute happiness.

So what is relative happiness? It is the cycle in which we all go round and round in. When we are sad, we want something and we cry for it, Finally, we get it and we become happy but then we again want something. This is an ever-moving cycle of relative happiness.

I am a person with a disability and I am happy. This statement can be strange for people around me. Why? People always ask me why am I not sad because of my disability? Why I should be? Disability is just a condition and it is nothing more than that. I can be happy with my disability.

Happy with my disability? Does this statement seem strange to you? If yes, then you are not alone. People question me, don’t I want to improve? I say that I am improving and I will improve but I don’t want to fit in the ’normal’ phrase that you have created. I see myself as a healthy and fit person. Moreover, I don’t want to live my life, thinking about being ‘normal’ one day. No one should live their lives ïn the hope of becoming ‘normal’ one day.

Can you think of reasons to be sad? Yes, you hate your job, you hate that incomplete relationship. You might hate your disability or
you don’t like your current lifestyle and you want to change it but don’t know how to. These can be some of the reasons why you might feel unhappy with your life.

Our happiness is dependent on ourselves not on any external factor. As for people with disabilities, I know sometimes it is impossible to get out of the house and socialize with people around. Knowing, interacting with people gives a new perspective on life.

Also Read: #ChampionsWithCP – Cerebral Palsy has not dimmed their desire to shine