Hello everyone! Wishing you all a great Friday!
I won’t bore you with too many details.
My soul needed to expel, and it had been quite some time since I’d made a short film.
So here I am with a new video on my YouTube Channel.
All my life I’ve asked myself a simple question.
AM I HAPPY?
And the answer has never been a conclusive one.
But somewhere in the continuing sadness and chaos, I’ve finally accepted that maybe happy is something above and beyond me.
Or it just might be that MY HAPPY is different than the generic meaning.
Have any of you ever felt that happy is more of a responsibility than a state of well-being?
Would you like to know what I think?
Please watch my new Spoken Word short film below.
I hope it leaves you with peace and contentment.
If you wish, PLEASE LIKE the video and SUBSCRIBE to my channel.
Submit your writing.
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BRAVO for being brave enough to be so incredibly honest. I love the way you are driving as if searching for something. I think everyone puts on a face or mask often. Even when we post there is an expectation of not writing too often about sad things. Also if one lives in areas where there is poverty and sorrow how can one truly be happy with the heart of a poet. The movie is impactful, poses a question which is better answered on a daily basis. Your words are haunting and the movie is so effective. Thank you Terveen. Sending hugs, blessings and my respect. Joni
I agreed with you Joni!
Thank you Cassa. If poets and writers can’t say their truth what are we then🌹, thank you for your support and applauding truths! 🦋🦋❤️❤️love Joni
Definitely! Poetry is a medium and outlet for inner truth.
Beautifully said my friend. You have always spoken your truth. You are strong and say thinks that need to be said. You are a wonderful poet. Blessings to you sister. 🌹
😊💚
🦋❤️🌹🦋❤️🌹
xoxoxoxo
Thanks so much, Joni, for always being encouraging and understanding. I like how you put it – “poses a question which is better answered on a daily basis”. That’s exactly what life is – a fluctuating pattern – and we must try to find our stability and flexibility while maneuvering it day to day. One should never be embarrassed to be or feel a certain way. We’re all trying to do the best we can under the given circumstances and every hard lesson teaches us that maybe we can stretch ourselves a little more and do more than we thought was possible. Lots of love, peace, and good health to you. 🙂
This is by far one of the best poems I’ve read/ heard in a long time – it really speaks to me, Terveen, but I must say that you see much more accepting of yourself than I am of myself… I’m very “happy” for you 😉
Much love,
David
Thanks so much, David. Your compliment means a lot to me. I love how you put it – “accepting of yourself”. I think if we all accepted ourselves a little more and stopped trying to be some ideal figure, then there would be fewer stresses and more reasons to live our lives without guilt and regrets. Happy is ‘the way I want to be’ and who’s there to say that that’s not the right way. May we all remain truthful to ourselves. I wish you well always and your beautiful poetry is a perfect example of releasing the joy and pain inside you. Much love right back at you. 🙂
🤗😘
This really hit home for me. I could identify with so much of it. It was like peering into the mirror for me. The reason I tend to disappear from the blogosphere now and then is I just can’t sustain this happy face I try to wear in the presence of others. My energy drains and everything seems to fall apart and I must retreat to my cocoon and recharge. Happiness…whatever that is supposed to be, has eluded me all my life as well. I try, but I feel like happiness shouldn’t be something I must force myself to be. If it is, then it’s not natural–it’s more of a mask to hide my true self. This film really speaks for those of us who are on the outside looking in at all the happy people. Thanks, Terveen, for this. It’s so good to know other people know what it’s like to chase that promise of happiness yet never catch up to it. For what it’s worth, I appreciate you just as you are. You’re a wonderful person and I’m seriously honored to call you my friend. 🙂 Also, thanks so much for adding the subtitles. I was able to fully appreciate your thoughts because of this. I’m so glad for your presence here on WordPress, Terveen. Thanks for being here. 🙂
Thank you so much, Mike, for sharing your ‘uncensored’ thoughts and emotions with me. It really is brave to say – you know what, I can’t always be damn happy (whatever that is). I’ve always been depressed, ever since I was a kid. And thanks to life not being the best it can be (whatever that is), the feeling has persisted and manifested into other obsessions and anxieties. I know I’m not alone in this. So many go through much worse. I really feel for them and wish I could do more to create awareness and a cushion of compassion that could make life a bit easier. Let me share something else – I’ve gotten so used to being in some tormented state or the other that when there is no reason to be upset, I feel like I’m missing something. Haha. That’s the crooked mind at work, but that’s me and how I’ve been conditioned. But I know that I’m strong and no matter what, I’ll keep going. So what if it’s not a state of equilibrium. The bumps keep me on my toes. I wish you well and know that you’re doing the best you can and transforming hurt and pain into beautiful written works. I’m grateful for you and our connection. Take care and thanks for the morning smiles. 🙂
Cool. Is this your first film? I think you should explore filmmaking. The images were nice. the black-and-white was a nice touch and the words were great. The images rushed past and your words seemed to moving forward, toward some unknown end, at a similar pace.
Thanks so much, Troy. It’s one of the few films that I have made. It’s tough to be a one-person team. Haha. I’m glad that you enjoyed the overall effect. I’m still experimenting with filmmaking and hope to professionally dive in some day. We learn as we try and I’m not one to give up. I appreciate that you stopped by. 🙂
Love your poetic videos. You are soooooo good with it. This is amazing. And life will always be a mystery for us…
Thank you so much, Haoyan. I deeply appreciate it. Life is a mystery and it unravels as we live it. Solving it seems a bit daunting. 🙂
Searingly honest and brave,Terveen for cutting through and taking on this constant clamour for happiness. Beautiful video. Subscribed. Make more such vids, please.
Thank you so much, Diti. This clamour definitely needs to take a realistic turn so that many of us can live at ease and be content with who we are. And thanks so much for subscribing. Will be back with more. 🙂
Beautiful video, Terveen. So many lines I want to pick out and write down… Is there no end to your talents??? When will you write your first opera?
Haha! Thank you so much, Britta. These delightful words coming from such a talented poet are making me swoon. And thank you for feeling the words. It means a lot. Now I’ll google – how to write an opera? So much to be done. 🙂
I always love your videos Terveen and this is no exception. Real, raw, far reaching and honest with truth and shades of happy and expression so relatable. Nicely done! ❣️💗
Thank you so much, Cindy. I’d been wanting to express my true feelings on the subject. Being happy is one thing but trying to live up to some forced happy image is distressful for many. I appreciate that you took out the time to watch and comment. Means a lot! 🙂
It was quite amazing and a gift of truth and freedom. This is life in the fullest expression of what it means to be human. It was my pleasure truly. The world needs your words. You are most welcome and deserving!
❤️🙏🏼
Great topic! Are you running the president next?
This short film is thought provoking and expresses strength in handling the common life’s question. It shows leadership and self management.
Thanks again, Cassa. It’s taken a long time for me to sort out my thoughts and feelings. Expressing them through this short film made me feel lighter. I wish all of us a lot of strength and resilience. 🙂
💚👍
Haha! Thank you, Cassa! But I stay far away from politics. 🙂
I know you are a wise woman.
Thank you, Cassa. It takes one to know one. 🙂
😀😊
terrific video, Terveen; difficult subject; I find happiness comes and goes; is it contentment? no, it’s more than that. I remember something the Buddha said: ‘There is no path to happiness, Happiness is the path’, but we are complex beings ; we come to it in different ways; there is much stumbling —
Thank you so much, John. Yes indeed, those are very wise words. More than a state of being, happiness is the journey. And we trip, fall, rise, and venture on. Wish you well. 🙂
Keep being you. Sometimes I tamp down my natural happy because I find it annoys people. Good job on the video!
Thanks so much, Geoff. I’m glad that you are a happy spirit, and I can get how people find that odd and annoying. You just be who you are. Let others figure it out for themselves. 🙂
This was a wonderful watch to start my Saturday, Terveen. Happiness is now an industry. There are enterprises making substantial amounts of money from a false concept. As human beings we experience different emotions at different times. It is the emotion and experience we should focus on not the label. I originate from the North of England and the men there are renowned for their dourness. An hour of miserableness each day is good medicine, (or so the saying goes.) Have a good weekend.
“It is the emotion and experience we should focus on not the label.” I love how you say this, Davy. It definitely is the experience more than any conclusion that defines our varying states of emotions. And I think I could find myself fitting in well in the North. Haha. Your words made my morning. 🙂
Gosh, my mouse-wheel finger got tired scrolling down this far……
I am sad, but I am content being sad……
Video captions were good but they raced a bit much for me…..the voice/captions went too fast. For me……
I’ll take a note of that, Don. Will slow things down the next time. Thanks for the feedback. Someone else suggested the same thing. So, it’s just not you. 🙂
And sometimes people don’t say things because they think it will be seen as criticism…..
Exactly. I would like to hear the many sides of it so that effort and improvement can go hand-in-hand. 🙂
This is top! This is talent at its best! You shine because you are bigger than the life!
Excellent. I am so glad I had the time to listen.
xoxo
Thank you so much, Gabriela. I appreciate you and your kind and warm words of encouragement. It means so much to me. Be well and keep inspiring! 🙂
I felt this, Terveen. Happiness now holds a different meaning for anyone alive in the present day. It is difficult to find contentment as we watch the world crumble around us. Your spoken word goes to show how remarkably versatile an artist you truly are. You, my friend, are brilliant! Wow!👏👍
Thanks a lot, Aaysid! I really appreciate your thoughts and feelings on this. It is a crumbling situation near and far. But life must go on the best we know…
Your encouragement means a lot to me. I hope to improve my creative efforts with every new piece of writing or short film I create. I wish to learn more and more. Take care! 🙂
The pleasure is all mine. More power to you!🙂
I love the video. I think there is so much more emotions within us to understand apart from just being happy. You sound great on the video, Terveen. Well done. An excellent job.
Thank you so much, Shobana. There’s a lot going on within us and around us. Finding a balance is what is most important. Take care and wish you well always. Much appreciated! 🙂
You are welcome.
Beyond gorgeous . Looks you in the eye, and fills into your heart
Happiness is a idea, in search of which we distract ourselves from the truth of our own being – where everything is perfect as it is
Thank you Terveen . For this short but beautiful & soulful film
Thank you so much, Anand. I appreciate your beautiful words and the wisdom behind them. Let’s be who we are meant to be and find contentment in understanding and accepting ourselves as ever-changing and evolving spirits with much to learn. Adapting and accepting our greatest powers. I wish you well always. 🙂
Well, well… A voyage into the heart of darkness?
That and a (previous?) video (words by you?).
Happiness is one of the goals of the US Constitution. Maybe Jefferson was a bit optimistic when he wrote that… LOL.
I suspect only morons are happy all the time.
Those who think can’t be. Happy. All the time.
But from time to time? Of course.
A smile on the street? A line in a book?
A comment?
Your words made me think of a beautiful text written by a young woman I’ve never met, but whose words have helped me in dire straights. I have it printed on my text. Lemme find the file…
Lol! Thank you for the much needed laughs. I love it when honesty is brutal and also sarcastic. Yes, only morons can be happy all the time. And moments of happiness do appear here and there, and that’s the best joy one can experience. Unexpected. Without any strings attached. I’m moving on to your next comment to find out more. 🙂
Makes moments of happiness. more precious, right?
I thought I had answered that. About making moments of happiness more precious? Ah! WP!
Found it. It’s called: Can you?
Can you just forget about?
Can you just decide not to talk about anything to anyone?
Can you just stop analyzing situations again and again?
Can you just stop comparing your present and past continuously?
Can you just keep quiet about everything?
Can you just stop thinking what is hurting you?
Can you just leave trying to prove yourself right?
Can you just stop asking “why me?”
Can you just start your routine work and keep yourself busy in something productive?
Can you just let go of anything and everything?
Can you just create apathy towards all toxic things, people, places?
Can you stop justifying yourself?
Can you just walk away?
Can you just keep breathing deeply?
Can you just smile?
Can you?
Please,
Breathe.Smile.Breathe.
The author is a young and talented woman who lives in Ahmedabad. Her name is Vihasi Shah. Praise to her. (And you for your thoughts…)
🙏🏻
Finally got here.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I’ve saved the poem and will definitely google the writer.
There’s much wisdom in honesty and simplicity. Applies to living too.
Breathe.Smile.Breathe. Exquisite! 🙂
Simple indeed. She’s in Ahmedabad. Used to have a nice blog but dropped out of that. Maybe she has a new one now. I don’t know. All I know is that this text is perfect. (I wonder how it would sound in Hindi. Breathe.Smile.Breathe
Saans lo. Muskurao. Saans lo.
This seems about right. 🙂
Muskurao then…
That’s a gorgeous spoken word, Terveen. It moved me to tears.
I do believe we all get caught up in chasing happiness, and as we chase we get further away from something that is ultimately unattainable. Happiness like sadness, comes and goes, here and then gone. Joy, however, always feels different to me, it arises when thinking about the fact that happiness comes and goes, there, for me, is some freedom there. I loved this video, my friend. Bravo! 👏👏👏☺️
I love that definition of joy, Jeff. It definitely should equate to a feeling of liberation. Yes, emotions are ever-changing, whether good, bad, or simply neither. Being at peace the way we are is what should be the goal. I always appreciate and admire your reflections of wisdom. Thank you. You are truly inspiring. 🙂
I know I’ve already commented but somehow it looks like the comment is gone. So I watched it again and feel I love your video poem even more. And enjoy your happy sadness and may it become your source of inspiration…
Thank you so much, Haoyan. I did reply to your previous comment. But I really appreciate your watching and commenting again. Happy-sad isn’t really that bad. 🙂
Your video poem is so inspiring…
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