BE CHEERFUL

Saturday, June 14th, 2025

Stouffville, Ontario

I really like cheerful people.  They make your day.  Even if they rise early after a late-night event.  Despite fatigue, the smile is always decorating the face.  I learned this from my Dad who went  through the Great Depression and the messy war of WWI, that it always helps to maintain an upbeatness.

The other day when I was on Walker’s Avenue at midtown Toronto where I picked up my newly repaired shoes, I must have been tested.  I met five young guys that I perceived were from India.  The conversation went something like this.

“Hello!  How are you?” I addressed them.  “Are you from India?”

“No, Bangladesh.  And you?”

“Canada.  I visit West Bengal – Mayapura, our headquarters in India.”

“We are from Bangladesh which was once a part of Pakistan.”

There was no reference to Pakistan’s connection with India, the motherland.  I decided to end the conversation since they were not responding in the normal Hindu-style manner.  I wished them well, anyway.  The point is, my initial cheeriness was replaced by gravity.  My chanting japa helped to stabilize my slightly agitated mind over a feeling of prejudice or fanaticism I perceived from the young men.

Anyway, today’s visit to the home of Kishor Mani and family in Stouffville was one of ultimate sheer cheerfulness.  He hosted a six-hour kirtan which drew hundreds.  I opened up the event with Mahadev and Annapurna playing their instruments.  Actually, they took the lead in chanting, while I got everyone up for dance instructions.  There was mothing but a bunch of cheery people.  The moves were in unison (apologies that I have no pics of the event).

WITH KISHOR AND FAMILY.

MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU!

8,409 FOOTSTEPS