“If you cannot be a pencil to write someone’s happiness, then try to be a nice eraser to remove their sadness. “

I loved the above quote, which I received, in one of my morning messages today. If you smile at someone, you are likely to get a smile back. If you frown at someone, you may receive a frown back. If we have a choice between being negative and positive in life, why do we need to choose to be negative.

If we cannot spread happiness, let us attempt, to at least ,reduce sadness. I would prefer to be positive and be a pencil to write someone’s happiness. But, if we sometimes do not have the opportunity to do so, we can at least be the eraser ,to remove someone else’s sadness.

During the Covid, one of my ex colleagues approached me and asked if I could volunteer for a noble cause. I readily accepted to be a volunteer, since we all were tied up inside our home ,for reasons beyond our control.

The cause she wanted me to volunteer, was to assist individuals and families ,adversely impacted by the dreaded pandemic and who have lost a near or dear one. The assignment was to write “letters of hope” to help families ,get over their loss.

I did not realise the impact I could make ,with these simple letters of love. The impacted individuals and families, also had an option to talk to us, if they so desired. It was an exercise, which made me realise ,how privileged we are ,in every day life.

Every letter I wrote made me cry. It made me realise ,how a loss of parent, sister, brother, spouse or children ,would impact a family. I had to infuse hope through my letters and this gave me satisfaction ,that I could do something ,to the impacted families.

Life presents us with opportunities every day ,to be positive and spread happiness. If sometimes, we are not able to do so, due to our own limitations or due to the environment around us, we could attempt to erase the sadness in others’ lives, which can make them feel better.

If you make someone happy, you become happy, If you spread hatred or sadness, you end up feeling sad. Why choose an option ,which is going to make you worse. Isn’t it better to spread happiness and feel better.

I have met people ,from both categories ,in my life. The people, who spread happiness may not be rich or well to do. But, they invariably have a big heart and are willing to invest their time. We need to realise, that wealth may not make us happy ,necessarily. But spreading happiness ,will invariably make us happy.

We can practise this simple thing, in our every day life. We can start within our families and then spread happiness ,in the organisations we work and the communities ,we live in. I used to share a positive news every morning to all the walkers in my community ,during the covid period. If we cannot do such things, we can visit a friend or relative in distress, be with them, listen to their plight and provide them moral support ,in the best ways we can.

Let us spread happiness and erase sadness, in other people’s lives ,from today.

S Ramesh Shankar

11th Aug 2025