Yes, it’s that time again! The much awaited A to Z April Challenge is just around the corner. And over 1200 bloggers from around the world are gearing up to don their creative hats and are sharpening their writing skills. Yes, we all will be writing posts from A to Z, every day in April except Sundays!
![A2Z-BADGE_[2016]](https://shilpaagarg.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/A2Z-BADGE_2016.jpg "A2Z-BADGE_[2016]"){kind=icon}
This April, I will be participating in this mega event for a fourth time in a row.
In April 2013, I wrote on random subjects from A to Z.
By April 2014, I got the hang of this challenge and there was quite a buzz about to theme or not to theme. So, I decided to go with the theme of Marriage from A to Z in exactly 55 words!
Loaded with the experience of the earlier 2 years, in 2015, I wrote about Emotions and Feelings from A to Z in 55 Words.
While writing about random subjects leaves with you a lot of choices, writing on a theme keeps you focussed and helps you explore and grow more in the chosen subject.
I loved challenging myself to write in 55 words these last two years, so I had no doubts about the word limit each of my post would have this April. Why just 55 words, you may ask. Well, it’s a win-win situation for both you and me. 55 words are just short enough to grab your attention and time and long enough to cover the subject and as for me, well, it is the perfect way to challenge and kick my dormant muse!
With clarity on that aspect, I moved on to give some thought to the challenging aspect of this challenge and that was, “What theme to pick on?”
I did an extensive 5-minute research (Yeah, I am pretty good at it!) and decided to go for….
Ahem!… Can we have the drum rolls please…
My Theme for April A to Z Challenge 2016 is…
Cultivating Happiness from A to Z in 55 words
“If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!” Remember this rhyme from our school days? From early on, we were taught to recognize and celebrate feelings of happiness! And today, we know that happiness is not only one of the most positive emotions we can experience, but being happy is also the key to a fulfilled, healthy life.
Most of us believe that happiness is a result of some external circumstance, but it doesn’t have to be. Happiness a daily habit and it can be cultivated in our every day life.
So, this April, I am going to explore ways to cultivate happiness and joy in every day life instead of letting it be a product of chance. And I am going to express all that in just 55 words.
I am looking forward to you all joining me in this journey!
And did I tell you that I am in AJ’s team (one of the Co-host for this year’s challenge) as wHooligan and that’s third year in a row!! Joining me are LuAnn Braley (my buddy and we have been together as wHooligans for 3 years now! How cool is that!!), Geetika Gupta and Doreen McGettigan. We will be watching you and of course doing all the ‘hard work’ behind the scenes!
I am very excited about this April challenge. In case this appeals and interests you too, then you must check out the A to Z Challenge website and sign up as a participant! There is still time, and it’s a lot of fun, I promise!
Happy reading, writing and connecting all through the April! Cheers ♥
120 Responses
Wow! That sounds like such a happy, feel-good-about theme. Excited to read through April Shilpa. I remember your posts from last year and they were awesome. See you around!
Thanks a lot, Parul for your kind words. Love your theme too. Let’s rock this year’s challenge, together! Cheers 🙂
That’s great theme! A daily dose of happiness!
Thanks Nibha! Looking forward to your stories too 🙂
That’s a wonderful theme! I have never really thought about it, happyness as a daily habit. I can’t wait to read it.
Have a fantastic challenge 🙂
Thanks Sarah! Oh yes, happiness a daily habit and it can be cultivated in our every day life. 🙂
Looking forward to read your posts on Jazz Age this April. Good luck to you too 🙂
55 words is a huge challenge and you are good at it. Why change a winning formula? I will have no theme to reveal this time but jump straightaway:)
Head on for the challenge.
Yes, why reinvent the wheel 😀 Thanks for your kind words, Vishal. Looking forward to read you this April too 🙂
I love your theme this year too Shilpa… And I love your 55ers.. Looking forward to your posts… All the best:)
Thanks for your vote of confidence, Nabanita! Are you participating in this challenge?
Good luck with the challenge, Shilpa! I’ll be looking forward to articles from this theme 🙂
Thank you, Kajal. I am hoping you will join in too 🙂
Super topic Shilpa….eagerly looking forward to it…. 🙂
Thanks a lot, Jayashree! 🙂
See you around.
All the best, Shilpa 🙂 As always I know you will rock the challenge 🙂
Thank you, Shailaja. Wish you were participating this year too! Loved your short stories last year!
Salute Shilpa ! hope to learn from your extensive experience here.
Thanks Pooja and looking forward to learn from your life lessons too 🙂
You are teh queen of 55ers, Shilpa. I am so looking forward to your posts, this year too. Let’s have a rocking April 🙂
*Something’s Cooking is also signed up for #AtoZ*
You are so generous, Shalini. Thanks a lot!
Love your theme this year. Looking forward to read some interesting stories about your life as an army wife. Yes, lets rock this challenge. Cheers 🙂
That is a great idea, Shilpa. Happiness is something we all can learn about. Often we take if for granted. All the best. Your 55 words are just too good.
Thank you, Inderpreet. I am remembering your last year posts on authors from A to Z. Looking forward to read your stories in 100 words this year. Cheers 🙂
Super! Your posts should be a great inspiration.. Looking forward 🙂
Thanks Archana. Looking forward to your posts on Herbs too 🙂
Wonderful.*claps* 😀
Thanks Ruchi. Arent you participating this year? I am remembering your fantastic stories of last year!
Yes, I will. Am still undecided about the theme. But I will.
Terrific Shilpa!
Thanks Susan. It was around this time, last year that we had met. And I glad that we did. Are you participating this year? Couldn’t see your theme reveal post on your blog!
You pull off the 55 words so well. Good luck with the challenge, Shilpa. I’ll be cheering from the sidelines.
Thank you for your kind words and support, Corinne. Wish you were joining us too!
This is such a positive theme! Just the ray of sunshine to brighten the April skies! Looking forward to your lovely posts Shilpa!
Thanks Kala. Am looking forward to your home and interior decoration tips and suggestions too 🙂
Loved the theme, totally my kind….bring it on! I am waiting…..
Thanks for your support, Asha! Why dont you join us this April. It would be fun, believe me! 🙂
Wow ! what an energising theme shilpa, would love to stay in touch 🙂
Thank you, Genevive. Are you joining us this year too? I am remembering your last year’s theme of travel and places, which was wonderful with your pics and anecdotes!
Short and sweet, but with depth – I look forward to your posts. Everyone can do with more happiness in their lives.
Tasha
Tasha’s Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
Oh yes, we all need more happiness in our lives. Thanks Tasha. Looking forward to know and read about the various monsters and ghosts on your blog too 🙂
The world can always use some more happiness, and 55 word posts will surely bring a much-needed smile to our faces everyday!
Agree completely! Thanks, will have to work hard on it… but am all charged up for that! Good luck to Mithila. Looking forward to read your weird words posts 🙂
Cool theme. Sounds like you’ll bring many smiles to the readers. 😀
Fingers crossed, Jamie 🙂
Sound very good to me! Look forward to seeing you around.
My A-Z theme 2016
Thanks Keith. Looking forward to your stories and learn new words too 🙂
Wonderful idea for a theme. I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
Thanks Misha! Would love to see you around 🙂
Wow, 55 words is a great thing, especially with so many blogs to read and comment on. Thank you! 😀
Yeah, that was the idea. With so many blogs to visit in a day, long posts will be a bit tiresome. See you around, Yolanda 🙂
Happiness – a good goal for A to Z 🙂
See you in April,
Sophie
Sophie’s Thoughts & Fumbles | Wittegen Press | FB3X
Thanks Sophie. Yes, see you in April. Cheers 🙂
Given the state of the world, we need all the help we can get on cultivating happiness for sure. Awesome theme. Good luck with the A-Z
Best wishes.
Nilanjana.
Thanks Nilanjana.
Looking forward to your lovely limericks too 🙂
Ooh, fun! 55 words sounds like a challenge (I could never be that concise…XD ). Sounds like a very cheerful theme! See you in April! 🙂
@TarkabarkaHolgy from
The Multicolored Diary
MopDog
Yes, 55 words fiction is challenging. Hope am able to do justice to the theme. Thanks Zalka. Yes, see you in April 🙂
We have chosen the same topic, Shilpa! Mine will be simple reflective posts though. Looking forward to your 55ers once again! All the best!
– Chicky Kadambari @ http://www.mysteriouskaddu.com
Twitter | Facebook | Google+
Aha! That’s wonderful.Looking forward to read your take on the theme, Kadambari. Thanks and good luck to you too 🙂
Wow – I love the idea of 55 words! I tend to ramble on in my blog posts, so doing 55 words would be a big challenge for me 🙂 And you’ve picked a great theme! Looking forward to checking back in next month.
Thanks Ellen. Fingers crossed… hope am able to do justice to the theme. You know, I love your theme. Nancy Drew was my fav in school days. It’s been ages since I read her mysteries. Looking forward to read her sleuthing stories in April. Cheers 🙂
Now that’s a great topic many people can benefit from! Good luck with your theme.
Stephen Tremp
http://www.stephentremp.com
Thank you Stephen and good luck to you too. Looking forward to know a lot more about dreams and their interpretation from you. 🙂
Sounds like a great theme. A state of happiness is really up to the individual. 🙂
True that, Teresa! Thank you and all the best to you for your theme 🙂
What a great, positive choice. There’s so much negativity in this world, I love anything that encourages us to look at the bright side.
Thank you Stephanie. Glad you liked this theme. See you around in April. Cheers 🙂
Wow..!! Your theme looks wonderful and intriguing! And man! You’re a true veteran Shilpa.. Glad to have you onboard.. 🙂
Any tips?
Cheers
Thanks Geetika. Glad that we are in the same team. Looking forward to rock this challenge with you. Cheers 🙂
I’m very happy, so you should be hearing that clapping sound by now. As to those 5 minute, intensive searches, I love those the best. See you more in April.
I heard that C. Thank you for cheering me! 🙂
Oh yes, I like quick decisions and one can make them with 5 min research 😀 I’ll be seeing you in April. Cheers!
I love the idea of doing it in 55 words or less. I don’t think I would be able to keep the posts under 55 words, but can’t wait to see how you do it!
Glad you liked my plan of writing in 55 words. Would love to see you around and looking forward to know from you the various species of frogs from A to Z 🙂
That’s an awesome theme, we always need reminding about happiness! And to do it in 55 words? Well done
Andrea, volunteer in co-host Damyanti’s fab D Company
Thanks Andrea. Looking forward to know about 30 bands in 30 days from you too! 🙂
Have a great time, Shilpa!
Jemima Pett
Thanks Jemima. Wishing you the very best too 🙂
I love the sound of this – we can all use a little extra positivity. 55 words sounds like a major challenge. I am doing 100 words and editing my posts down in hard!
Debbie
You know what I love about the micro fiction the most… it’s the challenge of nipping and editing to perfect 55 or 100. 🙂
Thanks and looking forward to read your dark stories in 100 words, Debbie. Cheers 🙂
I’m already looking forward to following along for my daily dose of happiness.
Blessings~
Towards more happiness smiles and joy Shilpa!!! Looking forward to reading each one of them.
Thanks for your support, Ramya. Looking forward to explore India with you this April too. Cheers 🙂
That’s a great theme and an interesting way to present it in only 55 words. We could all use a little more happiness 🙂
Thanks Elizabeth. See you around and I’ll be visiting you to know all about classical music, this April. 🙂
Sounds great especially the 55 words part. You really do well with that. Good luck. 🙂 I will surely read when free.
Thanks a lot, Rachna. See you around 🙂
Wonderful theme! and very thoughtful too, keeping it short and sweet! I’ll try to keep it short too!
Thanks Shubhangi. Short (less) is more in April, actually.
Looking forward to your posts in April 🙂
Sounds great! Who doesn’t need more happiness? A-to-Z-er Jetgirl visiting via Forty, c’est Fantastique 🙂
You bet… we all need large doses of happiness in our life. Looking forward to read you too, this April, Jetgirl 🙂
Cheers!
Awesome theme and so great that you can keep it with so short words! I think it takes me more than 55 words just to say hello sometimes 🙂 Have fun with the challenge!
betty
LOL 😀 I know what you mean, Betty. 55 words is a challenge which I am hoping to chase and conquer. Thanks and good luck to you too! See you around 🙂
Sure to be short and sweet. 🙂 We could all use more happiness in our lives. Great theme, Shilpa!
Thanks Debbie. Did I tell you that I ♥ your theme. Looking forward to read all fun and wonderful dog tales 🙂
I love the theme, and as always, look forward to your 55ers. All the best. 🙂
Thanks Shantala. 🙂
I love your 55-word theme, Shilpa. This is my first A-Z challenge and I’m happy to have chanced upon your blog. It’ll be wonderful to check in on your posts during April 🙂
Glad you liked the theme. Thanks Sudha. Good luck to you for your first A to Z challenge. See you around 🙂
Shilpa thanks for visiting and introducing yourself. It is my first year participating so I am just feeling my way. I don’t have a theme but can see it would be good. Next year! I like the 55 words challenge for yourself – I guess this year will be all about visiting and learning and I look forward to it.
A no theme works great too, Kathryn, for you get a lot of creative freedom on your expression and subjects too. Looking forward to read you too this April. Cheers 🙂
What a great theme! I love how you phrased it, too: “Cultivating Happiness.” So often I see advertisements that seem to say, “Buy this product and you’ll be happy.” But happiness can’t be bought. It must be cultivated. 🙂
You are spot on. With a right approach, attitude and outlook, we can certainly cultivate happiness in our lives. Thanks Jen, glad you liked this theme. Looking forward to read you too. Cheers 🙂
Oh wow Shilpa.
I love short blogs and I’m doing a 55’er too.
Will visit your space soon. 🙂
Good to see you back after a long time 🙂
Aha! That’s so cool, Stephen. Looking forward to read your 55ers too! Cheers 🙂
Just the sort of theme I need this month! Enjoy being a Whooligan
Thanks a lot, Damyanti. Good luck to you and your team too! Cheers 🙂
What a rocking theme, Shilpa! Look forward to the posts in April. 🙂
Thanks Monica. I’ll be around to read and learn your recipes too 🙂
Wow, great theme! This is my first year participating, and I have a goal of visiting every blog on the list (big ambitions, and the reason I am starting early). I have to say, I am interested in seeing your posts, so I will be visiting several times to look through your posts! Thanks for sharing! Cassie from Mommy, RN
Aha! That’s an ambitious goal indeed, Cassandra. Looking forward to read you too, this April. Cheers 🙂
Wow! love your positive theme and so looking forward to inspiration as I’m doing this challenge for the first time 😀
That’s awesome, ME! Good luck for the challenge and see you around. Cheers 🙂
I always enjoy your AZPosts. There is something different in them 🙂
All the best. I too have just signed up for it. Will be hopping around !!! 😀
Thanks Shesha. And it’s good to see you joining in too. Yes, see you around. Cheers 🙂
Wow! the theme is fantastic. Looking forward to reading it.
Thanks Paromita. Looking forward to read you too!
Grate theme Shilpa….
Keep it up..
Loosing patience when i will read that..
Thanks Aniket!
Daily dose of happiness…great theme…looking forward to it…
https://doc2poet.wordpress.com/
🙂
Thanks Amit. Will read your posts for the challenge too!
55 words! Quite a challenge. I’m looking forward to seeing what you have to say!