I had once attended a programme by " The Art Of Living " centre where Sri Sri Ravi Shankerji was giving a discourse and for the whole 2hrs that I sat there I specifically remember him saying " please do not let the child in you die because once it dies we cease to enjoy and understand the very meaning of life. " I found those words very beautiful then but today am able to understand the very depth of it . I saw the joy of being a child in my nephew recently when I had met them. It was his supper time.......and no matter how his mother was trying to make it a more presentable one......Adi ( or Advik, his name ) simple refused to stick to table manners. "No apron, no dining table for me please....." was his loud and clear message. I loved it .......the very fact that he had a little mind of his own and simple put his little foot down......not like stuffy adults like us....always out to impress people around us......put up that plastic smile .......and having to do things that we don't want to do.......well a toddler and a charmer that he is.....he got away with it......but poor baby very soon it would be drilled into him the dos and don'ts of living in a society and yes even a loud heart felt laugh is often thought twice. No wonder we now have " Laughing Clubs "......though I still can't figure out how can people laugh a forced laugh.....even if its suppose to be of some health value. Has life really lost the funny side ?????
