Fourteen Tips for Happiness in Daily Life
Recently I came across an article which details an account of a note Albert Einstein gave to a bell boy in a hotel as a tip. The note reads “A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness.” And, this note last year, as reported in the news was sold for $1.7 million at a Jerusalem auction.
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| Misty Mountains of Murwillumbah, NSW |
It is Interesting to note that, Shrimad Bhagavad Gita talks about Happiness in various places. And, in the final Chapter 18 from Verses 36-39 describe about the three kinds of happiness the human beings experience in this world. It’s up to each of us to choose what type of Happiness we want to get and of course’ be ready to accept the consequences also.
The first kind of Happiness is happiness in the mode of goodness which in the beginning may feel like, a poison but at the end is just like nectar and which awakens one to self-realization. The Second one is said to be the happiness which is derived from contact of the senses with their objects and which appears like nectar at first but poison at the end is said to be of the nature of passion. And that happiness which is blind to self-realization, which is delusion from beginning to end and which arises from sleep, laziness and illusion is said to be of the nature of ignorance.
So, did you know that at Harvard, one of the most prestigious universities in the world, the most popular and successful course teaches you how to learn to be happier? The Positive Psychology class taught by Ben Shahar attracts 1400 students per semester and 20% of Harvard graduates take this elective course. According to Ben Shahar, the class – which focuses on happiness, self-esteem and motivation – gives students the tools to succeed and face life with more joy. Ben, considered by some to be “the happiness guru”, highlights in his class 14 key tips for improving the quality of our personal status and contributing to a positive life:
Tip 1. * Thank God for everything you have: * Write down 10 things you have in your life that give you happiness. Focus on the good things!
Tip 2. * Practice physical activity * Experts say exercising helps improve mood. 30 minutes of exercise is the best antidote against sadness and stress.
Tip 3. * Breakfast: * Some people miss breakfast for lack of time or not to get fat. Studies show that breakfast gives you energy, helps you think and perform your activities successfully.
Tip 4. * Assertive *: Ask what you want and say what you think. Being assertive helps improve your self-esteem. Being left and remaining silent creates sadness and hopelessness.
Tip 5. * Spend your money on experiences. A study found that 75% of people felt happier when they invested their money in travel, courses and classes; While only the rest said they felt happier when buying things.
Tip 6. * Face your challenges *: Studies show that the more you postpone something, the more anxiety and tension you generate. Write short weekly lists of tasks and complete them.
Tip 7. * Put everywhere nice memories, phrases and photos of your loved ones *: Fill your fridge, your computer, your desk, your room, YOUR LIFE of beautiful memories.
Tip 8. * Always greet and be nice to other people *: More than 100 inquiries state that just smiling changes the mood.
Tip 9. * Wear comfortable shoes *: If your feet hurt you, you become moody, says Dr. Keinth Wapner, President of the American Orthopaedics Association.
Tip 10. * Take care of your posture *: Walk straight with your shoulders slightly backwards and the front view helps to maintain a good mood.
Tip 11. * Listen to music * (Praise God): It is proven that listening to music awakens you to sing, this will make your life happy.
Tip 12. * What you eat has an impact on your mood *: – Do not skip meals, eat lightly every 3 to 4 hours and keep glucose levels stable. – Avoid excess white flour and sugar. – Eat everything! Healthy- Vary your food.
Tip 13. * Take care of yourself and feel attractive *:70% of people say they feel happier when they think they look good.
Tip 14. * Fervently believe in God *: With him nothing is impossible!
Happiness is like a remote control, we lose it every time, we go crazy looking for it and many times without knowing it, we are sitting on top of it. Or, it reminds me a story of a Musk deer that went running everywhere, asking everyone the source of the amazing fragrance that’s coming. Finally, she was so exhausted running everywhere and was about to leave her body when some of the animal came to her and told her, “Look, the fragrance that you are looking for is actually within you. It is coming from your own body and you are not aware of it”. So, all through our life, we keep running around and looking for Happiness in the form of New electronic items, Rolex Watches, Ferrari cars and Five Star Hotels but, the Happiness is actually within us. When we turn our focus inward and try to realise that Spirit Soul and Super Soul within our temporary material body made up of earth, water, fire, ether etc, that is the time we get that real Happiness.
