Train to be Happy

Happiness has been defined (by Wikipedia) as a mental or emotional state of well being defined by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. Happiness is so elusive in today’s world that there is a day dedicated to happiness. Just like Women’s day, one day in a year -20^th March- has been declared the International Day of Happiness – how tragic is that?

Everyone wants to be happy – yet we never think of aiming for happiness. We somehow expect to be happy as a by-product of our activities and achievements. I shall earn money, spend money, be rich, be famous, get married (or divorced!) and then be happy. Yet, I do believe that if one can’t be happy in the present situation, it is very likely that some other situation is highly unlikely to be changing ‘happiness’ levels any time soon. So how can one get happiness?

Once a man asked Lord Buddha, “I want happiness. How can I get it?”

The Enlightened One said, “Remove ‘I’, that’s ego. Remove ‘want’, that’s desire. All that remains is ‘Happiness.’

Here are some more secrets to happiness unveiled by Lord Buddha

A disciplined mind brings happiness

No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again.

Learn to let go, that’s the secret of happiness

The mind is the source of happiness and unhappiness

There is no path to happiness, happiness is the path.

Tough to follow (or even grasp) one would think, especially in today’s modern times. So how about some tips from the happiest person in the world? Do you even know who the world’s happiest man is?

It’s Matthieu Ricard. He not only offers advice how to be happy but also proposes that just like one trains one’s body for a marathon one can train one’s mind to be happy! Amazing isn’t it? Read all about it here.

Here’s an idea – make a scale of 0 to 10 and rate your happiness on it now. Start training for happiness and then you can rate yourself again on 20^th March. Anyone game?

Happy training!

PS. Oops in my happiness I forgot about Chapter 32 and Calvin ( isnt he funny?) not to mention the Blog Index