A Dishwasher’s Guide to Happiness

I am not unnoticed anymore because I noticed myself.

I am a dishwasher, and I was not always happy. I was the most miserable person in the world. One day, standing at the sink, I had a plate, a glass, and a spoon.

These were not a simple plate, spoon, or glass. You may not believe it, but these were the biggest reasons for my unhappiness. And maybe for yours too. Here is how:

A Plate of Expectations

Expectations and hopes I associated with people.

The ring of tulips on this dirty white plate was not beautiful anymore.

Tulips, the symbol of deep and pure love, had become lifeless, just like my existence.

I was sad. Not only sad but also empty, alone, and ignored. And unfortunate for not being able to find a best friend.

I felt alone when I looked at two coffee mugs with an empty chair beside me.

I felt sad when I was too nervous on my first day in a new city and had no one to say, “ I have got your back.”

I felt ignored when no one wanted to listen to my needy cries.

So I did it for myself. I picked up that plate and cleaned it. I cleaned it until all the stains of helplessness were gone, and I saw a reflection.

A reflection of my best friend who was always there with me. But I did not know.

Me.

I was with me to enjoy that second mug of coffee, to listen to me, to tap on my shoulder, and say, “I have got you.”

I am not sad anymore because I found happiness in me.

A Spoon of Control

A spoon of control with a crown on its handle. With which I wanted to control everything around me and about me. I wanted to control the way people treat me and judge me. I wanted to divert the path of bad luck coming toward me.

I wanted all the green lights on my way,

all the sunshine to light my day,

all the stars to shine for me,

all the rain to drown me

I never wanted to believe that some things are out of my control until my spoon broke.

I was with this broken spoon and a broken heart.

So, I fixed that spoon. I fixed it and made it strong enough to steer the course of only those things that I can control.

I filled it with a smile and acceptance to fix my broken heart.

I don’t have a broken heart anymore because I smiled for myself.

A Glass of Comparison

A glass of comparison with a lipstick mark on it. A beautiful glass with which I took a classy picture and posted it on my Instagram. But could not get enough likes and love comments like a friend of mine. This was hurtful.

The chic dress, best filter, and lovely caption, but not enough reacts. I felt unnoticed.

I felt alone in this world. Like nobody liked me.

Or the other way, that the people are jealous of me.

This glass of comparison made me blind and selfish.

To me, the world behind my phone’s screen glass was real.

But, one day, the stream of water from my tap washed this glass of comparison and proved that the world behind that screen glass was a reel.

And I realized that my only competitor was me. I only needed to be better than myself.

I am not unnoticed anymore because I noticed myself.

…

So, a dishwasher says