ON FINDING HAPPINESS I went for a walk today. Although it was quite chilly, this little excursion turned out to be a pure pleasure. I live in a forest and because the spring is in full swing now, myriad bird songs permeated the air. One of the greatest advantages of living far away from civilization is lack of noise and light pollution. There are no roaring cars, buses, or rumbling trains, just the soothing sounds of nature. Sometimes, when the choir of birds dies down a little, it gets so calm that you can hear a dog barking a mile away in the nearby village. At times though, especially in the winter months, the nights become so eerily silent and pitch-black that I find myself in respectful awe. There is something primeval about being alone in the woods after dark, which makes one understand why humans long for the company of others, as well as safety and comfort of a home. I think we are no different than animals in this respect, but what makes us special is our need for love, happiness and self-fulfillment. As I was strolling through the woods, I realized how little I need to feel truly happy. The fresh green of leaves, the sun shining through the clouds, the buzzing of bees, and the beautiful patchwork of wild flowers filled me with joy so overwhelming that I began to wonder how I could ever have felt sad. I came back home full of hope and energy for the coming week.