HOW TO BE HAPPY

Happiness is one word that is often raved about in the internet today. Once in a while we stumble upon videos or blog posts (like this one! duh!) instructing us on how to be happy, why we have to be content, why we shouldn’t be jealous... because it’s not okay to be sad, right? Well, what’s good and bad is subjective but, we all have a set of habits that make us happy. In this post, I will not tell you about ways you can be happy. Because, I believe, happiness is a choice we have to make. Laying down a load of pointers on how to be happy cannot make someone a happy person. It perhaps will just give us a sense of togetherness. But, following are a few activities/ actions you definitely must take to make yourself happy and I guarantee you, you will feel the change in weeks:

• Accept it that sometimes, no matter what, we can’t be happy...not even after reading all those motivational quotes for hours. At such times, just accept that I am unhappy and yes, believe that this too shall pass. Acceptance is the key here.

• Ditch the motivational books. During times when we are feeling low, we might feel the pull to read a motivational book or two to boost our spirits. But,perhaps it’s better to just ignore them and read something fun. Pushing yourself too much to be happy or feel motivated isn’t going to help if you are in no mood to work. Happiness comes from within. Therefore, if you feel like taking a break, take it and read fun books and just relax.

• Sometimes a colleague or friend of ours lands that one job or that collaboration that we feel we too could get. And, we end up feeling sad. Now, people will tell us how this sadness is wrong because we are jealous. But, let me tell you this. It’s okay to be sad. Why? Simple...it’s okay, until and unless we are envious and think that we deserve more. The sadness we feel is just because of us being angry for not being able to do something that our friends could. You can be sad, but still appreciate and congratulate for his/her for the success. Because, it has nothing to do with them but you. Be sad, think a little and then brace yourself up to do your best. Your time will come. And, of course, understand that comparison isn’t healthy.

• Happiness is a choice. When I wrote at the beginning of the post that I am not going to give you tips to be happy, it’s because of this. Choice is a very personal work. You either choose to be happy or sad. Yes, it’s true. Have you seen people who are affluent with all the comforts you can imagine but are unhappy and, people who do not possess much are happier than anyone else? It is because they are content with whatever they have and choose to be happy and loving. This might sound like cliché but it is true and we can’t deny it. Everyday beyond your wants and desires, choose to be happy. Bad days will come, so will the good days. Every day passes by, just be confident of what you choose. Choose happiness (in simple words, not going too deep into circumstances faced by each individual.)

• Simple daily habits can make you happy. As already said happiness is much of an inside job. It has something to do with only us: how we feel, how to live, how we react, etc. Make a few changes if needed, keep it healthy, simple, minimal and I bet, happiness will follow.

• Avoid emotionally draining people: if you feel someone makes you feel bad about yourself, cut off from them and maintain a healthy distance. Understand that they might be a major reason why you feel so drained.

There’s a difference between what you want and what you need. When you will stop giving into unnecessary desires, content will follow and so will happiness.

ACTIVITY:

Start keeping a gratitude journal. Write down 5 things you are grateful for daily. It would really help you in seeing the bright sides of life.