HOW TO BE HAPPY
Dog Wisdom By
VIKRAM KARVE
I have a pet dog. Her name is Sherry. She is very lively agile sprightly – always full of beans – and she is always cheerful, jolly and happy.
Sherry is my true friend, philosopher and guide – she has taught me the art of living one’s life to the fullest.
As I said, Sherry is always happy. I think she has mastered the art of happiness. This is what I have learnt from Sherry on how to be happy. Here is her Happiness Mantra.
If you want to be happy do these four things:
1. Try to be in the company of people who make you happy
2. Be in places which make you happy
3. Do things that make you happy
4. Live your life in such a way that your happiness in dependent on things within your own control to the maximum extent possible.
Long back, sometime in the 1960’s, when I was a small boy, my father took me to visit Belur Math, and there I acquired a tiny pocket book called “Thus Spake Vivekananda”.
Whenever the chips were down, or I felt dejected, I referred to the inspiring gems of wisdom, distilled from the complete works of Swami Vivekanada, for instant motivation and strength.
Here’s one of those gems of wisdom, a phrase from the sayings of Swami Vivekananda :-
Whenever the chips were down, or I felt dejected, I referred to the inspiring gems of wisdom, distilled from the complete works of Swami Vivekanada, for instant motivation and strength.
Here’s one of those gems of wisdom, a phrase from the sayings of Swami Vivekananda :-
Anything that makes you weak physically, intellectually, and spiritually, reject as poison
I feel that the word “weak” is all encompassing and embraces anything that creates in you a stressful situation like all negative emotions and feelings including anger, irritation, infuriation, frustration, despondency, depression, demoralization, unhappiness – anything that disturbs your inner tranquility and equanimity, drains you emotionally and intellectually, besides literal physical weakness.
Oh yes, unhappiness is weakness, unhappiness is Poison...
Oh yes, unhappiness is weakness, unhappiness is Poison...
Now sit down in a quiet tranquil place, close your eyes, introspect, and try to think of all the things that make you feel negative – all your unhappiness-creators and unhappy situations.
These can be anything – toxic or incompatible persons, who irritate, annoy and hassle you, foods and beverages which don’t suit you and are physically detrimental, activities, which may appear pleasurable, but actually drain you out, technology and gadgets, like your cell-phone, which disturb your peace of mind, and strained relationships, which are a source of unhappiness
Make an exhaustive list of all the things that make you “weak” and try to reject them as “poison”.
These can be anything – toxic or incompatible persons, who irritate, annoy and hassle you, foods and beverages which don’t suit you and are physically detrimental, activities, which may appear pleasurable, but actually drain you out, technology and gadgets, like your cell-phone, which disturb your peace of mind, and strained relationships, which are a source of unhappiness
Make an exhaustive list of all the things that make you “weak” and try to reject them as “poison”.
At first you may be a bit sceptical about this approach, but when you start implementing, you’ll be surprised how much it is in your own control to prevent unhappiness
While you reject the things that make you "weak" and unhappy, you must also reinforce the things that make you feel "strong" and happy.
While you reject the things that make you "weak" and unhappy, you must also reinforce the things that make you feel "strong" and happy.
Yes, if unhappiness is "weakness", happiness is "strength".
So simultaneously, reflect and contemplate, and make a list of things which give you strength and joy, make you happy and productive – all the things and people that create positive feelings in you – and try to devote as much time and energy to doing these positive things that give you strength and make you feel good and happy.
This unhappiness prevention technique (Happiness Mantra) works for me, and I’m sure it will work for you too, and is so effective, probably because it is so breathtaking in its simplicity.
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2010
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
2 comments:
I have given up working to be happy. The world wants you to know that you are basically unhappy and that to become happy you need to do some thing that is "socially acceptable"
I have learned to reject this view and learned to accept that my basic nature is happiness and that there is no need to do any thing in order to "become happy"
Yes, Milind, I fully agree with your approach...if one realizes that one's basic nature is happiness then there is no need to "work" on being happy...!!!
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