I am in the beautiful city of Udaipur (Rajasthan – India) on a lovely vacation with family. I am happy and excited to be in this place. This place has lovely memories for us. Happiness and joy mean different to different people. For some it would mean being with friends, for some a walk on the beach, for some being who you are. Whereas some might feel that there is nothing called happiness. Regardless of what version you look at everyone wants to live a more happier, joyful and fulfilled life.
While sipping my tea and enjoying the sunset, I was just thinking – what are the ways that a person can adapt to stay happy and joyful. Let’s look at some of them.
#1: STOP Comparing yourself
Stop comparing yourself with others. Everyone is unique and different. You have been gifted and also developed certain skills, abilities and identity and so have others. No one is above or beneath anyone. Stop comparing and start focusing on improving yourself. This will help you to overcome a lot of self-negative talk that you might be doing. This is the best gift you can give yourself.
Focusing on yourself or comparing yourself with others – choice is yours.
#2: SMILE
Every day, when you get up in the morning, smile. Look at the watch few times during the day and smile. It will bring joy on your face and change your mood instantly. You are blessed that you could see another day. Remember, there are so many people in the world who didn’t get up… are no more.
Whatever you are doing do it joyfully. Always greet people with a smile, this includes the people who are working for you, the people with whom you are working… greet everyone with a smile. When you smile, you will get a smile in return. We’ve been gifted with a beautiful life.
Smile or cry – choice is yours.
#3: Exercise and follow healthy lifestyle
Exercising daily helps to increase your energy level. It can even be a walk in the park or garden nearby. Exercising helps to increase your positive vibrations and focus too… also not to forget it helps to keep your weight in control. Eat food that fuels peak performance. Eat food which is beneficial for your health. Get enough sleep. A healthy lifestyle automatically contributes to staying joyful.
Healthy body or illness – choice is yours.
#4: Spend time with family and friends
Socialize, meet people, go out with them for camping, movies, food, adventure or activities that you like to do. Don’t regret on your death bed and say, I wish I could do this or do that. Instead spend time with them now and do all that you want to do now.
Spending time with loved ones or wasting time – choice is yours.
#5: Meditate daily
For years now, meditation is often considered as one of the best tools for practicing calmness, improving your focus, gaining clarity, keeping your energy levels high and a lot of other benefits too. When you learn to stay calm and peaceful, it will in turn help you in staying joyful and happy. With meditation, you will also be able to handle situations better.
Calmness or frustration – choice is yours.
#6: Travel and explore the world
Yes, I mean it. Taking time off and going on a vacation is important. The thought of going on a holiday itself will increase your happiness quotient. Even if it meant making a short trip every few months it would be worth it.
Explore and see the world, meet new people and experience different cultures, experience different climate, seasons and nature. It will help you to look at things from a different perspective that you might not have imagined. It will help you to adapt to change easily. It will help you in appreciating things much better. Life is a beautiful and colourful journey.
Explore life or stay stuck – choice is yours.
#7: Practice Gratitude
This is really an amazing practice. Every day when you get up, thank the universe, yourself and everyone for everything that you have. Thank everyone for every little gesture. Before going to bed, recollect whatever happened during the day and thank everyone for everything. Even if you are disappointed and you feel things didn’t go your way, still express gratitude. See how it changes things for you.
You will feel better, sleep better. You will be able to handle challenging situations better.
Grateful or ungrateful – choice is yours.
#8: Listen to your body
Yes, it is important to listen to our body. When you get up in the morning with a bad headache or stomach ace or a bloated feeling, recollect what did you have for dinner or lunch the previous day. If you feel your body did not respond well to the food you ate – avoid it for some time.
If you feel you are stressed, do some meditation and listen to music. Change your mood and settle yourself first. Don’t rely on people to change your mood. Be in control of yourself.
Conscious or ignorance – choice is yours.
#9: Choose to stay with joyful and happy people
Yes, choose to stay with people who believe in you and your growth. If you feel someone is letting you down and stopping your growth, cut them off your life and choose another friend or make new friends. Move away from people who are there with you for some favours or your money. Stay away from Gossip and chit-chatting.
Growth or negativity – choice is yours.
#10: Help Others
How are you contributing to other people’s life? Are you contributing at home? This can be even the smallest thing like helping your parents or brother, sister to clear things at home. Distribute work among yourself so that one person is not burden with everything.
Contribute to some NGO, or Orphanage or Old Age Homes or whatever social service or cause you believe in. It can be helping them financially or even spending time with them. Helping others will in turn uplift your emotions. In helping others, not only they but you will also grow.
Wellbeing or suffering – choice is yours.
There are numerous ways that can help you to stay joyful and happy. Get involved with life. Begin from wherever you are. Focus on what matters to you. Leading a joyful life or sorrow – choice is yours.