Sometimes the truth needs to be looked at squarely in the eye. There are principles to certain things in life and happiness, too, has its own. These are not secrets but inevitable, liberating truths learned along the road called life. Here are some of them:
1. Happiness doesn't depend on the outside world
Everything around you is changing, nothing is eternal. Times change; one day you are going through a rather low phase of life and another, you are at the top of the world. Whatever the situation may be, it shall not stay the same forever. So don’t let your happiness depend on the state of affairs around you. Being happy will not change and it is something that no one can change except you.
How to be truly happiness
2. Happiness is within you and you are the source
We try to find happiness in experiences and objects and people around us whereas, ironic as it may sound, we are the seed of our joy. If we’re unhappy, the reason is you and no one else. It is convenient to blame the circumstances or the situation and the people around you, but guess what? No one but you are the boss of your happiness. The seed of this joy lies within you. You are the farmer who has to sow it and you are the one who will reap the benefits of it too!
3. Happiness grows when shared
Haven’t you felt happier giving your dear friend a gift they would love? Isn’t it always more fun to surprise your loved one and experience their joy or see a smile on their face than be the one who is surprised? Well, it’s a fact. You are happier when you share it and when you make others around you happy. So go around spreading joy!
4. Happiness is your most natural state
Yes, we all are rock stars naturally. The natural state of our mind, soul and body is the state of self-centeredness and calm. That is when we are the most joyous and content. This is the state in which happiness exists. This is when you feel at home.
5. Happiness is everlasting
It is not ephemeral or just a fleeting moment that just passes by but real happiness is a very permanent and a stable state. Unlike our varied emotions and mood swings, this does not change. While everything else around us is temporary, happiness would be the same as it was 1,000 years ago! So holding on to it once you have found it wouldn’t be that much of a task.
6. You shouldn’t delay it
Don’t measure happiness against milestones, events or your life’s circumstances. Also, it cannot be proportional to the amount of wealth you amass, the number of cars you own, your professional achievements or your capital gains. Joy and smiles are for what you have with you today, your present. Enjoy and live your life in the present moment.
“One who is centered experiences true happiness. I am not saying there is no happiness in the outer world, but the happiness you get when you go within is incomparable. The world is running in search of happiness. The body gets baked, the mind gets baked, the intellect gets deluded but still we keep on getting stuck in the same repetitive cycle...know that you are the source of happiness. You realize that you are the one in whose search you kept on running here and there.”
7. It is the most under-rated GIFT
If you keep expecting everyone around you to keep you happy, you will be anything but happy. Far from it, you will be downright depressed and miserable if your expectation is not met. Instead, when you are not expecting it and rather spreading and giving joy, you will be rewarded with love and glee greater than none!
8. Happiness can be your best habit
Brushing your teeth, taking a bath and eating your meals are daily habits we all follow. Staying happy and joyous can also be added to this very routine. So before we step out of the house for the day, if we can wear a big smile the outcome could be very surprising. You would be more pleasant and less worried; staying happy will be your mantra and your habit. Trust us, this habit would be very contagious too!
9. Live in the present and you will be happy
Most of the time, we are unhappy about a bad decision from the past, or a mistake we made recently. If that is not enough, we can worry about the future, and be unhappy. As long as the mind remains stuck in the past or the future, we will never appreciate what we have in the present. Living in the present will lead us to contentment and bliss.
10. Drop all your desires to find real happiness
When you stop asking for things, when you stop making your life’s objective based on demands, you gain happiness. On the other hand, expectation is the root cause of disappointment. Whenever we start desiring life to move in a certain way, and suddenly it takes a slight turn, we get frustrated and lose our calm. So nip the problem in the bud and let go of all your expectations.
Based on Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s wisdom talks
Happiness is a state of mind. You can train your mind to be resilient and positive through life’s challenges. Discover simple mind management techniques at the Happiness Program.
