Never Lose Your Smile

I was with Gurudev at the Canadian Ashram during the Guru Poornima celebrations this year. Due to the huge number of visitors to the Ashram, car parking was arranged right at the entrance to the Ashram property. From there a shuttle took us to the Ashram reception office. Early in the morning, having parked my car, I hurriedly pocketed the car keys and took the shuttle.

Through the rest of the day I went to several different parts of the Ashram, including playing with my kids and running after Sri Sri, completely oblivious about my car keys. That evening the Satsang was amazing. Gurudev sang so beautifully and energized everyone. After the bhajans, Gurudev spoke about smiling through everything that comes one’s way. He said no matter what happens do not give up your smile and that if you can smile even through the difficult times, the mission of The Art of Living would be accomplished.

This stuck to me and I started mulling over it. After the Satsang got over and it was way past 9.30 p.m, I got my family together to get to the parking lot. As I reached my pocket for my car keys, I didn’t find them there. Frantically I searched everywhere including the backpack I had and possibly every other place I could have kept it. It was now getting very late and I was worried that I would miss the last shuttle to the parking lot. Also, I did not have any spare key and the key bunch had several other keys of importance. Moreover, my home was 1200 kms away! I started to panic a little and was trying to figure out my options. My two young children started crying since it was way too late for them and worried that we will never be able to get back home. My mind raced through the day and I started to think of all the places I visited during the day. However, since it was dark outside and I had been to so many places, it was impossible for me to trace my steps back and look for the keys.

A feeling of helplessness was welling up in me. Absent mindedly I started walking back to the reception. It was a good 15 minute walk from the mediation hall. On my way I silently prayed to Guruji. Immediately, Guruji’s words during the Satsang came back to me. He had mentioned “Don’t lose your smile”. Spontaneously I started smiling. A cool breeze enveloped me as I walked back to the reception office. I felt light and somehow nothing bothered me. I just dropped all my botherations and smilingly made my way back. On reaching the office, I smiled to the person at the counter and was greeted by a big smile and “Jai Gurudev”! And what do I find right in front of me – my car keys! I had no idea how it got there. I clutched the keys and ran back to my family thanking Gurudev for taking care of us and also for giving me the opportunity to live his knowledge and experiencing how it works. I will never forget this and have resolved to smile; come what may!

Keep smiling!

Jai Gurudev!
Rakesh Naidu