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Everyone dreams of a life which
is full of peace and joy. But how can we attain that? Here are a few simple, yet
effective rules to a happy life.
I have a 32 year old friend who
was taken to hospital because he was suffering from chronic depression. I was
surprised to know that medical doctors now also have classified “mental
diseases”. And a little research showed that lack of happiness created a state
of “mental illness” whether it is called as depression, panic attacks, anxiety
or acute nervousness.
The problem is that we have
complicated our attitude towards life and living to the point that our own lives
have gone out of our control. And after having complicated our lives, the
mistake that we make is that we expect a complicated solution to straighten out
the problem. And just the reverse is true. Problems occur when we deviate from
simplicity and complicate communication. Being happy is so simple, that many
people find it difficult to practice. I live my life by these simple rules and
often people compliment me with a question, “How do you stay so happy?”
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Tell the truth: To tell the truth is the mark of a person with character. In
today’s professional warfare, twisting the truth has become a norm. Trust is
lacking in personal and professional relationships. People are not honest
about their feelings, their agendas and their intentions, for the fear of
being rejected or judged. Being rejected and judged on the truth is far better
than living a lie. Aspire to be honest no matter what the consequences. You
will be happier and abundant in all that counts.
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Appreciate goodness: Some of us rank first in the queue of criticism and in
the same breath; we are the last to appreciate. Remember this that whatever
you appreciate will grow in your experience. When you compliment and
appreciate someone, they will always return your gesture. Appreciation is like
any other outflow of emotion and it has a boomerang effect; it comes back to
you multiplied. Give genuine appreciation and you will be richly rewarded with
more.
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Don’t do to others that you would not have others do to you: Often I have seen
people put others down on one pretext or another. The person who puts others
down is far unhappier than the person belittled. Measure every action by the
rule, “Would I have this done to me?” If your answer is no, don’t do it.
Always treat people with the grace and dignity they deserve even if your
opinion about them is otherwise. When you treat people a certain way,
indirectly you are sending out the message of how you should be treated. Treat
people with respect, no matter what your opinion.
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Take care of yourself: Some people look after their cars better than they look
after their own bodies. I sincerely believe that someone who is not interested
in looking after himself is a disaster waiting to happen. The ultimate
disrespect one can bear upon oneself is not to consider oneself worthy enough
of being treated well. You can’t complain when others don’t treat you well, if
you can’t do that for yourself. Treat yourself with love, and you will find
yourself in a zone of pure happiness.
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Be competent: The greatest joy one gets is out of his own competence and
accomplishments. Competent people have higher self esteem and self worth. They
consider themselves capable of adding value and that increases their happiness
quotient. Be competent in your field of endeavour.
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Have the attitude of gratitude: Gratefulness is the key to greatness. It puts
you in a state of acceptance and tolerance. You can’t be grateful and not be
happy. Gratitude is the most gracious path to happiness. Be grateful for all
that you have, and when you are grateful for that, you will never be in a
position of lack.
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Set a good example: The highest form of living is by setting a good example.
No matter who you are, how small or big, there is always someone watching you
and emulating you. And if you have children, then the responsibility of
setting a good example is far greater. When you direct your life consciously
towards setting a good example, you can never go wrong. Life is beautiful and
the keys to happiness are simple. In fact, unhappiness is a clue that we have
deviated from fairness, honesty and compromised on our integrity. The
slightest pinch of negativity should direct us towards the simple rules of
being happy.
Life is worth living if you
allow yourself to be happy. It’s easy. Be happy. Be Positive. |