Living With Laila:The Secret to Staying Grateful and Growing Forward

A delegate once visited a mental asylum. As he walked through the wards with a doctor, he noticed a man trying to hang himself while crying out the name Laila. Curious and concerned, the delegate asked the doctor what had happened.

The doctor replied sadly, “He was in love with a girl named Laila. But he couldn’t marry her. The heartbreak drove him mad.”

The delegate sighed, feeling sorry for the man. But as they walked further, they saw another patient doing the exact same thing—same noose, same name—Laila.

Shocked, the delegate exclaimed, “This Laila must have been really special. Looks like this man too couldn’t win her love.”

The doctor, however, shook his head and said, “No, no. You’re mistaken. This man married Laila.”

This story is darkly amusing, but if we look deeper, it offers some profound insights into human psychology and personal growth:

1. You Own the Laila Someone Else Longed For

This isn't just about romantic love. It applies to life in general. The life you are living today—your job, your relationships, your comforts—might seem routine or even underwhelming to you. But for someone else, your life is a dream they are still chasing.

We often forget how far we’ve come. What feels “normal” now may have once been a goal you prayed for. Gratitude is the key to happiness—when you stop taking your Laila for granted, you begin to appreciate the richness of your own journey.

2. You Are Bored with Your Laila

You had a dream. You worked hard. You reached your goal. At first, it felt magical—like everything was finally falling into place.

But over time, the excitement faded. The same job that once thrilled you now feels monotonous. The relationship that once made your heart race now feels like a routine. This is not failure—this is human psychology. We adapt quickly. The “honeymoon phase” ends not just in marriages but in every part of life.

This boredom doesn’t mean your Laila has lost her value. It just means your mind is hungry for newness, for growth, for something beyond the plateau.

3. You Need to Find a New Laila

Finding a new Laila doesn’t mean abandoning your current one. It means rediscovering passion, seeking adventure, and breathing life into the ordinary.

In relationships, it might mean celebrating small milestones, surprising your partner, or just doing something thoughtful and new—something you may not enjoy personally, but do it because it matters to them.

One of my friends, who is naturally averse to celebrations, makes it a point to plan something special for his wife's birthday. Not because he enjoys it, but because he knows that nurturing a relationship requires deliberate effort.

Professionally, finding a new Laila might mean setting new goals, learning a new skill, or taking on a challenge that scares you. Personally, it could mean traveling to a new place, joining a cause, or simply shaking up your routine to feel alive again.

We all have a Laila—someone else's dream that we now hold. And we all need another Laila—a goal that inspires us to grow.

Humanity didn’t evolve from living in caves to building smart cities by staying satisfied. We moved forward because we kept looking for the next Laila.

So, cherish the Laila you have. And never stop searching for the next one.