The Grind and the Glow: Balancing Struggles with Happiness

I often find myself reminiscing about those cherished school days—the countdown to the last day of exams before vacations brought a mix of relief and anticipation. During exam days, I’d return home, collapse onto the bed, and take a nap. My mother, though reluctant, allowed it, knowing it was my way of recharging for the next challenge. But the last day of exams was different—there were no naps, only joy. My mother would sarcastically remark, “Now that there’s no exam tomorrow, you’re suddenly not tired anymore!”

Vacations were magical. Mornings without my mother’s wake-up call, and the thrill of playing in four enthusiastic shifts—early morning, post-breakfast, post-lunch, and evening—made time feel endless. Yet, as all good things do, vacations came to an end. The dreaded return to school, with its routine of homework and exams, brought us back to counting the days until the next break.

Summer vacations, though, were extra special. They meant longer days and vibrant trips to our native Kerala. There, cousins from all corners of the country would gather, turning our grandparents’ home into a hub of laughter, chaos, and love. Grandparents spoiled us, rules softened, and life felt infinite. But the joy of reunion was always followed by tearful goodbyes—not just to cousins but to the carefree days we had to leave behind as we returned to the grind of studies and schedules.

Today, only a handful of childhood friends remain in touch—some from school, others from the old colony where we grew up. Cousins, once so close, are now distant, with rare reunions hinging on trips to Kerala or family occasions. Ironically, in an era of instant connectivity, true connections have grown rarer. Social media shows us glimpses of each other’s lives, but it can never replace the warmth of a shared laugh or a heartfelt conversation.

Life feels like a movie sometimes. In a typical 120-minute film, struggles dominate, and happiness is condensed into a fleeting climax. Those moments of joy leave us longing for more, wishing the story would stretch a little further. Life, too, follows this pattern—struggles take center stage, while happiness, though brief, feels like a triumph.

In sales, this is particularly true. The grind never stops. Targets loom large, and meeting them feels like scaling a mountain. Celebrations are brief—a moment of joy before diving headfirst into the next challenge. Even milestones like promotions or breakthroughs bring only temporary relief as the stakes rise higher.

At every stage of life, we meet wonderful people. In the workplace, we share celebrations, dinners, and outings, forming bonds that sometimes outlast the job itself. A chance meeting with an old colleague can spark a smile, but only a few connections endure. Life moves on, and those shared moments fade into memories as work and responsibilities take over.

There was a time when three families, brought together by their children, became inseparable. Outings were planned only when everyone was available, and those gatherings were the highlight of our lives. But as the children grew and careers demanded more of our time, those cherished huddles grew infrequent. Now, with kids immersed in academics and parents juggling careers, even aligning schedules feels impossible.

Life is a series of struggles, punctuated by fleeting moments of joy. Some people stay, others drift away, and some become cherished memories. Even those who’ve left us for good remain etched in our hearts. Amid the monotony and challenges, it’s these brief moments of happiness that shine like beacons, reminding us of what truly matters.

These memories are life’s treasures. They remind us that while happiness may not linger, its echoes stay with us forever. They inspire us to carve out new moments of joy, to laugh a little louder, and to hold on a little tighter. Life may be relentless, but it’s these moments that make it beautiful and worth living.