HOW TO BE HAPPY EVERY DAY – A GUIDE TO LIVE AND LOVE

“Come sit with me! Let us drink the holy wine of happiness.” – Rumi.

What is it that we humans crave the most? What is it that urges us to perform most of our tasks and to carry them out with utmost perfection?

It is the feeling of happiness and contentment that every single one of us wants to feel.

HOW DOES HAPPINESS TRULY FEEL?

Have you ever noticed that warm, fuzzy feeling within us that builds up within us? The ecstatic joy, the euphoria, the feeling of satisfaction, or contentment that is felt by us. This is what happiness truly feels like. It is like a mixture or a combination of positive and optimistic emotions that make us feel like we have a purpose in life.

WHAT MAKES US HAPPY?

Happiness is subjective. It differs from person to person and can be a varying sensation for every individual. What makes one person happy will not necessarily make another person happy in the same manner. It could be an accolade that makes us happy, or it could be good news from a close friend. It could be anything, small or big that sparks joy within us and makes us happy. This feeling is not so difficult to achieve, and yet we find ourselves to be unhappy. Go out for a walk. Observe the people around you. I guarantee you – most of them will have grim looks on their faces and unhappy thoughts swirling in their minds.

My aim through this piece will be to make a difference upon my readers. No matter how small it is, I wish to convey a message through my personal anecdotes and experience and hope that it helps you too.

HOW DO YOU SHIFT FROM UNHAPPINESS TOWARDS HAPPINESS?

We often find ourselves and others asking this question very often. The answers are surprisingly simple.

Do more of what you love.

We can only be the best versions of ourselves while we’re doing something that we love. Find a hobby. It could be dancing, sports, writing, acting – anything that you are inclined towards and what you find interesting. Take time off from your work to do something that you truly enjoy. Find what you love, and let it free you from the shackles of the anxiety built inside of you. Let off of what holds you back and grab opportunities for things that stir the creativity within you.

Celebrate small victories.

Give yourself more reasons to be happy and be proud of the little achievements, for it is the little things that matter the most in life. Life has its ups and downs, but there are many small wins in between that go completely unnoticed. Make to-do lists and check off all the tasks. Treat yourself for it, and enjoy life as it goes.

Accept imperfections.

Each one of us strives to be perfect. We push ourselves to be the best versions of ourselves. In the process, we often forget that in order to be truly happy, we must embrace our imperfections that make up a huge part of who we are as individuals and what makes us stand out. Holding ourselves to the standards of being perfect is absolutely futile and only ends in disappointment. We will only end up being let down. We must learn to accept our imperfections and recognize the beauty and grace in them.

IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD CHILDHOOD

Most parents often focus on one thing only – to mold their children into being individuals who grow up to be happy and make the world happy too. Reports state that millions of people across the globe suffer from depression and anxiety. This isn’t exactly a happy picture of a happy world. Reports also state that the most important determinant of being a happy adult is through a person’s emotional health during their childhood. Hence, for parents to be as patient and as kind to their children, whilst prioritizing their emotional growth as well is one of the biggest and most important tasks.

THE ART OF GIVING AND HOW IT HELPS US BECOME HAPPIER

Trust me, it’s so easy – even a 6-year-old can do it, quite literally.

When I was a child, about 6 years old, my mother would take me to an old age home every Christmas to sing carols and distribute gifts to the elderly people residing there. Every time I would hand out a gift or sing a carol, they would sing along with us and their smiles would light up the room. This is what I learned from it – giving back to those elderly people made them happy. And it made me happy.

Does giving actually make us happy? Or is it just a cliché?

We’ve all heard that giving makes us happy and it’s better to give than to receive, but have you ever thought why?

Researchers from all over the world have studied the science and psychology of giving. They’ve discovered that our brains and our bodies are actually hard-wired forgivings.

When we give, our endorphins kick in giving us this natural “high” or ecstatic feeling. It is actually called “The Helper’s High”. Our oxytocin levels rise – this is our love hormone. It is like our body’s anti-aging remedy. The serotonin, which is called the happy chemical, gushes through our body and makes us feel extremely satisfied. Most importantly, our cortisone levels drop. This is our stress hormone. Giving diminishes anxiety and stress and helps us become happy! And I’m not just saying this with blind faith in science – I am saying this because I have felt it, and you can too.

Now, what if I told you that you could be happy every day?

It’s simple.

GIVE. EVERY DAY.

Practice the art of giving back to the world. Give a piece of yourself to others and you will see the happiness on their face and you will feel it within you as well. Not only will you be making yourself happy, but also making someone else’s day. Someone not as fortunate as you.

WAYS TO GIVE-

Help the homeless: Buy them a meal, give them some money and watch how happy it makes the.

Find a foster home for an animal: Animals deserve better lives too. Help an animal in need. Find it home so that they can live safely and see how happy and content it makes you.

Donate something: It could be your old clothes, or books, or just money. There are so many fundraising campaigns online, find a cause that you believe in, and help someone in need. It is an amazing feeling.

• Volunteer in support groups.
• Help someone cross the road.
• Speak to people kindly.

Cultivate these habits and practice them on a daily basis and see the change in the quality of your life. You will see the difference within yourself.

Imagine the impact it will make on other people, on the world, and on yourself. If every single reader chooses to follow the art of giving every day and chooses to share it with others, it creates a ripple in the lives of many.

How should you start giving?

Start today. Create an easy target and make a list. Take a look at your life, your family, and your friends. Do whatever you can and do what works for you. It could be as small as helping your neighbor.

Remember that not everyone is as fortunate as you to even have the facilities available to read this like you are.

Think about them, help them, and see yourself becoming a happier person.

THIS IS HOW WE CAN GO FROM ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION TO HAPPY.

Together, we can all start small – and we can make the world a better place to live in. A happier world, by just giving – one thing, one day at a time.