Across ages, genders, and cultures, one of the thing that we all share are emotions. Things that make us laugh with joy, sob with grief, lower our heads in shame. I was curious as to what moment sticks in people's minds, what they think of to lift their spirits when they need it. So, I asked 10 people what the happiest moments of their lives were, and this is what they said.
Sanjana Darsipudi
"Watching my mom and dad as their eyes welled up with pride and love on the day of my arangetram — one of the most critical milestones in an Indian classical dancer's career — was the happiest moment of my life. This milestone reflected the 10 years of dedication and hard work I've put into dance."
Instagram: sanjana_darsipudi
Age: 17
Anonymous
"Once I graduate, that will be my happiest moment."
Shraya Gumudavelli
"After hours of dance practice every day, I finally got the opportunity to perform at a national level. I waited patiently as they announced the awards after the performance. I remember how tears built up in my eyes when I didn't hear my name. 10 minutes later they let us know they forgot to announce the senior category winners. I heard my name be announced for second place for USA, and my tears became tears of joy."
Age: 16
Kabir Ahmed
"The happiest moments in my life were when my children were born."
Age: 52
Zainab Nabi
"My happiest moment was at my 16th birthday when all my friends came, and we all had fun."
Instagram: zainabnabi10
Age: 16
Ariba Ahmed
"One of the happiest moments was when I went back to NJ to surprise my friends for winter break! The look on their faces and the funny videos I got of them crying made me smile for so long. And I can't imagine my life without them. I had been planning the surprise for a while now, and my brother had almost ruined it, but I had managed to keep it a surprise!
"Another happy moment in my life was when my little sister was born. We were all at home with my grandparents because we had school and my mom and dad were at the hospital. We got the news that my sister was born, and no one slept a blink. I was too excited to get done with school and get picked up in our new car that was able to fit our entire family because our other car was too small."
Age: 17
Sivani Shanmugam
"My happiest moment was when I got my first cat-Julian. I've always wanted a dog for the longest time and parent never agreed. Although they were demurely against a dog because we wouldn't be able to take care of it they fell in love with the kittens at the shelter, and so did I. I never thought I would end up with a cat but the moment I got Julian was one of the happiest moments of my life so far. Now I have two cats, and they make me so happy, and my whole life has been changed since that moment."
Instagram: siv.sha
Age: 17
Samia Ahmed
"When I surprised my best friends back in Florida after moving the year before!"
Instagram: samiaa_620
Age: 14
Jakiah Webb
"The happiest moment of my life was a reunion with my best friend after we'd been separated for five months. Before she moved away, we would spend every single day together, so her absence in my life was especially heartbreaking. I was excited at just the thought of visiting her, so when we finally met up, I was absolutely ecstatic. My favorite part was being able to run into her arms and see her smiling face."
Instagram: jei_webb
Age: 17
The happiest moment of my life was visiting my friends for the first time after moving away. I came as a surprise, and the look on my best friend's face when I walked into her doorway without warning, and I'll never forget it. Seeing my friends so surprised and overjoyed to see me made me feel so warm inside, and it's a memory that brings me joy every time I think back to it.
What I learned was that though everyone has different experiences, we all share the same emotions and can appreciate happiness and joy.
I think it's important to learn about others and about what makes them happy, as it helps define them and make them unique. Hearing what makes other people happy can help you realize that happiness can come from anywhere, from anything important or insignificant, big or small. That's the beauty of happiness.
