
Where do I even start? While it may sound cliche, all I ever wanted was to be happy and to make my loved ones happy. Growing up, I had a different experience. By the time I was ten, my heart was full of a million emotions. My age group was doing things children usually do. They would act up to their parents by asking for toys, bicycles, and other stuff to impress their fellow classmates or outside. It was never long before I was thinking of spirituality, world poverty, impoverished children, sorrow, reincarnation, and a whole lot more! Despite not knowing these terms or understanding what they were about, I was aware of their essence through the thoughts I had. I wondered why I wasn’t the chosen one to be at peace and always worrying about things that I can’t control? Why can’t I experience normal emotions or derive happiness from a toy like others? What went wrong? Does it have anything to do with my financial situation or my past karmic cycles? Plus a million other things. If your mind is as chaotic as mine, you’d understand how it feels when your mind starts tiptoeing around situations that are out of your control.
Growing up, I realized and learned that happiness is a choice you make every day. It’s not something you can eat off a platter. Happiness is something we all strive for. Another reason to try to be happier is that happiness is both a result and an agent. It is said that happy people accomplish more.
It’s easier said than done, isn’t it? As I learnt and practiced a few ways to be happy every day, I came to a place where I could experience emotions in a healthy way. You might be able to relate to these if you have been through something similar.
Be kind to your body
Sedentary lifestyle, a dull mind, and an unhealthy body will harbor and only multiply negative thoughts. As one thing leads to another, one day it will hit us hard, and BOOM, we’ll have lost all hope. I am not saying physical exercise will solve all world problems. But it’s a start to combat the negative mindset every day. It doesn’t matter how small your workout is, it will have a positive effect on the mind and give you more energy, confidence, and reason to take better care of yourself. Let your mind wander through nature by going for a walk for 21 days.
Engage your mind
Isn’t an empty mind home to blank space that holds the potential to grow into a negativity of your life? It is as important to keep your mind engaged as to stimulate it to work. Taking a break from the imaginary scenarios and perfect comebacks in your head with a Sudoku, Ludo, or playing Call of Duty will get you some time away. It is only through a healthy mind that you can grow, gain happiness, and maintain that happiness. Do not dwell on things from the past or the future, but instead find productive solutions for problems sitting across you. Now is the time to think about what you can do to keep them away.
Empty your mind
Yes, the irony! Our minds don’t need to be working 24×7 and 365 days a year. The past does not require any special effort on our part to cause us anxiety or discomfort. It does take some effort, however, to keep our mind in a blissful state. If you’re looking for ways to put your mind at ease, try chants, music, funny dog, cat, or panda videos, or practices like meditation or going for a walk in nature. If you start looking for things that calm you and help you relax, you will find what works for you. There is no need for our minds and bodies to be constantly active all the time.
Don’t say “yes” if you are not ready
People pleasing is a disease I still suffer from despite years of trying to cure it. There is no way we can please everyone all the time, and we must accept this. When it comes to that, it’s humanly impossible, so we don’t have to cower down. Our lives and minds will run out of space if we allow others to continue taking up so much of our space and energy. Start by politely saying “no”, and if that doesn’t work, explain how “no” works. Sarcasm helps at times, just saying. You have a limited amount of time on your hands, and you can only spend it on yourself and those who will do for you the same things they expect of you. We can always begin by setting boundaries and training our mind to recognize what feels good and what feels burdensome.
Whatever you love, work hard at it
If you are like me, you would rather sleep and eat all day. But now that we’re here, let’s do our best to achieve our goals and be the best version of ourselves. To survive, defeat odds, and still live fully is a challenge. We may not be able to achieve 100% of it, but we can certainly reach 70%. Finding out what makes your heart flutter and soul happy is the ultimate way to happiness. Make sure you challenge yourself by doing little things. A little sweat goes a long way and is more motivating.
Give yourself a reward
Whether you’ve been working hard or simply had a hard day, you need to look in the mirror and appreciate how far you’ve come in life. Give yourself a pat on the back instead of waiting for another person to applaud you for doing your best. Trusting someone else with our self-esteem is a risk we do not want to take. Finding that perfect balance between loving yourself and not hating others is crucial.
Finally, smile more, play those video games, buy those shoes, wear that dress or suit, apply red lipstick or lip balm, and be a fucking ray of sunshine to the world. Make it worthwhile when you look back. Ensure that you show yourself the same kindness, compassion, and happiness that you show others. #Lovelove