The Journey Back to My Smile...

Some days, all we really need is a simple smile. But the funny thing is, we keep forgetting to wear it. A smile is supposed to be the cheapest and the brightest ornament we own, yet we choose to hide behind layers of stress, overthinking, and unnecessary seriousness. Yesterday at Sabarimala, I saw thousands of faces each one carrying dreams, prayers, and expectations. Everyone came with a list for Aiyyappan, but the truth is simple he will only give what matches their karma, not their wish list.

My brother asked me, “Why are you going so often to Sabarimala? What are you praying for every time?” I laughed and said, “Nothing.” Immediately he replied, “In the name of Aiyyappan, you are visiting Kerala very often!” Let him think so. The reality is much funnier and simpler. I don’t go to submit prayers. I go to talk. Yes, I have small conversations with Aiyyappan not the statue, not the temple priest the Aiyyappan inside my soul.

It’s not a miracle. It’s not a spiritual drama. It’s just that whenever I go there, something inside me resets. I feel lighter like someone hit the refresh button on my mind. And then, of course, I come back, meet a few silly people, get mentally exhausted again, and once more I run to Sabarimala for a recharge. This is my cycle. And the best part? Aiyyappan never gets tired of me. Maybe he also smiles seeing my regular visits and thinks, “There he comes again!”

Today, after all this thinking, I found my smile again. Maybe that’s all we need one smile, one moment of honesty with ourselves, and a small conversation with the divine inside us. That’s enough to keep life moving.

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