One consistent complement/ message, that comes up in almost ever entry (or at least 90% of them), is "You are the Happiest person I've ever met...", "You're like a ball of sunshine in my life, please keep in touch"..., "Super happy and cheerful!"
While I was flipping through, I was wondering if I really am the happiest one out there, or is that just my way of encountering people... hmm, after thinking about it a bit.. I know that it is certainly not a mask I wear when in contact with people, because It is just such an innate tendency in me, to never spread the sad part of things, unless it really bugs me (which almost never happens in reality). I do admit that I seem like a sad writer, poet and blogger because I write about something I am often not doing great at!(I don't know if that makes sense, but yeah!) I also admit that no one is an ultimate happiness (unless they are almost in a Godly state), I certainly am not!
So I guess, here are some secrets behind being the "Happiest person my fellows have ever seen"
1) Never indulge in something you are not truly passionate about , try and make smart choices: Choose what you want to do, with life, career, Work, volunteer jobs, and what ever else you indulge yourself into. At the end of the day, it is you who matters the most, you who is gonna live with the experiences you gather. So better please yourself than the people in your life! Feed your passions and love life!
2) Live for yourself first, before you live for the others. Give yourself some of your own time. We often forget to do that, we are wayyyy too busy for ourselves, but do we have to be?
Most people I work with tend to be Workaholics, obviously, research jobs, studying, volunteerism, wanting/ trying to become a doctor...etc. etc. but really, sometimes the best example of us, ignoring ourselves for work, I've seen is, holding your bladder until a few more pages of reading/ report / work/ teaching are just about done (LOL) but it's true! I've talked to some people, and we all admit doing that on a daily basis (You know what's funny I'm doing that right now too!). Just making yourself a priority guarantees so much happiness.
3) Always give yourself some "Me- time": Reflect, explore yourself and do what you love the most, whenever possible. When you actually need to be sad, often it is really only your soul needed to be recharged, just meditate, feel good about yourself, love being in your own body... do what you love the most. Just be yourself, and be with yourself. Again, just give yourself your own time!
4) Smile often: Smile at strangers, make friends everywhere, even when using public Transit; just be friendly and be yourself! You'll have a much greater chance of self exploration if you take it easy.
I have so many people I've learnt from, just while we talked on the transit, simply because I was not locked in a box with a bunch of strangers, they all had the light of God in them, and hence we at least needed to chat a teeny bit! (I don't know how to say that better)
5) Don't be too uptight about what you feel about stuff: Living life in your terms and living upto your principles is cool, but being too uptight about your beliefs, especially when it comes to others is not very healthy. Be flexible in your approach to the world. Everyone has a life of their own, and hence choices, beliefs and Morals of their own!
In the hospital that I volunteer at, a few weeks ago, a mentally disabled person, came behind my counter and started hugging me. At that quick moment, I had to decide if this was a problem for me or not. well, I was actually trapped between the counter and him, and that can be a hazardous thing (also, because he has been seen throwing Fits on people) and I was working on something, so I was at first surprised and even scared by the hug, but I quickly realized that I should not show resistance to his hugs, simply because all he wants is love. I hugged him back! Now I know some people who'd be totally uptight about it and would freak out at him, simply because they don't wanna take the risk of being exposed to a fit or something, but sometimes, if you handle the situation well, things will not go so wrong afterall... Remember that life is all about love, if a love-filled flexible approach can help, let it help you!
6)Be true to yourself, and love yourself regardless of 'the things you hate about yourself '!
This as well, is easier said than done, but self- exploration, and following your conscience can help!
“Every human has four endowments- self awareness, conscience, independent will and creative imagination. These give us the ultimate human freedom... The power to choose, to respond, to change.”
Stephen R. Covey quotesAlso, Have your own principles, beliefs and everything else you like, but don't get too engrossed in the do's and dont's of your own religion, so to say; live it with all your will...don't compromise who you are with who you'd ideally be!
7) Never judge others! (I know this is easier said than done, and we all judge, good &/or bad) - You do not have the right to judge others, maybe not even yourself.Judging people, can be corrosive to your own health, Oh and judging and gossiping (/back-biting) is a big no-no!
Well, I can quote something I read somewhere in this one, (b/c I think it has a profound point there!)
"We all need to take a step back and stop judging each other. And I think for some people, when that societal pressure is lifted away, they may be able to see themselves in a new light, a less harsh one. A little more love, a little more understanding - Guru Sahib can bring a king of the world down to the level of a pauper, so why not a spiritual man down to the level of a sinner? In less time than it takes to blink your eye, a lifetime's worth of kamaaee (Spiritual earning) can be lost with a single action or thought. it can happen to anyone. we need to stop believing we know everything about a person's intentions and jeevan (Spiritually enlightenment status, so to say) just because of something we've seen them do. we can't judge who has what and how much Kirpa (Grace). In the end, it'll be us, the ones pointing the finger, who will be judged more harshly."
BONUS) Over the past year and a half, on several different occasions I have 'lost a perception of who I truly am', and I had to start over... Several times, we are not totally aware of who we are, and what is it to 'be yourself', but life is a journey, explore; strive for the better, not because you are not good enough, but because you wanna be more closer to your ideal self. Also, when it comes to life, it does not harm to 'live to love', and to think of life as love. It is best to have inclinations, faith and respect for something (maybe even a religious path), but it is vital for your survival (in that path), to choose to follow what you personally resonate with only, it's okay if Spiritual progress takes time, but it is not okay to follow something for the wrong reasons, blind faith can only truly originate when you have taken time to think it all out and meditated in every aspect of your discipleship, to see if it resonates with you personally. Your social environment, inclination to a certain thought current or faith, does not determine who you really are. You do!
And there are no such things as 'Impossible dreams', or 'Destined boundaries', we are here to make our own trajectories, and walk on out own paths.
(Don't take me wrong, I am not promoting, changing a faith to make your own path; I am talking happiness, life and career wise)
I have, all my childhood, thought that if we really want something to happen, we can make it happen, if we are determined enough... and hence, to me, there are no 'destined boundaries' on the path of your life. Because you pave that path... it is your path!
Love and light!
=)
Oh and I hope you all had a happy Bandi Chod divas (Diwali)
(Brief History on: http://sikhism.about.com/od/commemorativecelebrations/a/Bandi_Chhor.htm )
And I clicked this to wish you all Happy Bandi Chod divas
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| May we all light a lamp of love, within our own hearts and minds for the Guru jee's charan-kamal, and forever be His disciples- for if there is liberated bondage free life, it is only at the Holy feet of the true Guru. |
Thank you for the great affirming reminders! Lots of love! Sat nam.
ReplyDeleteThat was beautiful and so true! Awesome of you to share'
ReplyDeleteThank You both, for stopping by and giving it a read!
ReplyDeleteIt means a lot to me!
Love and Light
Hugs =)