I’ve often thought about what it is that makes people happy—what
one has to do in order to achieve happiness.
1- First and foremost is
good health. If you do not enjoy good health, you can never be happy. Any
ailment, however trivial, will deduct something from your happiness.
2- Second, a healthy bank
balance. It need not run into crores, but it should be enough to provide for
comforts, and there should be something to spare for recreation—eating out,
going to the movies, travel and holidays in the hills or by the sea. Shortage
of money can be demoralizing. Living on credit or borrowing is demeaning and
lowers one in one’s own eyes.
3- Third, your own home.
Rented places can never give you the comfort or security of a home that is
yours for keeps. If it has garden space, all the better. Plant your own trees
and flowers, see them grow and blossom, and cultivate a sense of kinship with
them.
4- Fourth, an
understanding companion, be it your spouse or a girlfriend or a best friend. If
you have too many misunderstandings, it robs you of your peace of mind. It is
better to accept the differences than to be quarrelling all the time.
Fifth, stop envying those who have done better than you in life—risen higher, made more money, or earned more fame. Envy can be corroding; avoid comparing yourself with others.
6- Sixth, do not allow
people to descend on you for gossip. By the time you get rid of them, you will
feel exhausted and poisoned by their gossip-mongering.
Seventh, cultivate a hobby or two that will fulfill you—gardening, reading, writing, painting, playing or listening to music. Going to clubs or parties to get free drinks, or to meet celebrities, is a criminal waste of time. It’s important to concentrate on something that keeps you occupied meaningfully.
8- Eighth, every morning
and evening devote 20 minutes to meditation or introspection. In the mornings,
10 minutes should be spent in keeping the mind absolutely still, and five
listing the things you have to do that day. In the evenings, five minutes
should be set aside to keep the mind still and 10 to go over the tasks you had
intended to do.
Ninth, don’t lose your temper. Try not to be short-tempered, or vengeful. Even when a friend has been rude, just move on.
1 Above all, when the
time comes to go, one should go like a Person without any regret or grievance
against anyone.
Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com
