HAPPY DIWALI Happiness Mantra by VIKRAM KARVE

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 -

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... 

 

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”.  

 

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.  

Yes, if unhappiness is "weakness" then happiness is "strength".

So simultaneously, reflect and contemplate, and make a list of things which give you strength and joy, activities that 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.  

In a nutshell, try your best to generate happiness vibes by doing things which make you happy and try to reduce or even eliminate negative unhappiness vibes by "rejecting" things which you know will make you "weak" and unhappy. It is easier said than done but do try it.

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. 

VIKRAM KARVE educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU and The Lawrence School Lovedale, is an Electronics and Communications Engineer by profession, a Human Resource Manager and Trainer by occupation, a Teacher by vocation, a Creative Writer by inclination and a Foodie by passion. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. His delicious foodie blogs have been compiled in a book "Appetite for a Stroll". Vikram lives in Pune with his family and pet Doberman girl Sherry, with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts. 

Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog - http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com

Academic Journal Vikram Karve – http://karvediat.blogspot.com

Professional Profile of Vikram Karve - http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve 

Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll