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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. |