Who can better tell about the guide to happiness. Isn’t an elderly person who lived most of their life? Here are some ideas from those having tons of life experience.
Acknowledgement: I don’t know the source, but I got below message on WhatsApp. I felt it’s a great guide to happiness so couldn’t resist converting it as my note. If you know the source, let me know, I’ll happily give them the due credit.
Here is the exact message I got:
Guide to happiness
I asked one of my friends, who has crossed 70 and is heading to 80, what sort of changes he is feeling in himself?
- After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children, my friends, now I have started loving myself.
- Lesson: Stop worrying Char log kya kahenge and work for your happiness.
- I just realized I am not “Atlas”. The world does not rest on my shoulders.
- Lesson: Don’t take pressure of everything. Let others take their responsibility. Let them do their share of mistakes and learn from them.
- I now stopped bargaining with vegetable and fruits vendors. A few pennies more is not going to burn a hole in my pocket, but it might help the poor fellow save for his daughter’s school fees.
- Lesson: Help anonymously. It could be very small things within your control. If you are expecting something in return, you are doing business or exchange, not helping.
- I pay my waitress a big tip. The extra money might bring a smile to her face. She is tioling much harder for a living than me.
- Lesson: Same as above
- I stopped telling the elderly that they’ve already narrated that story many times. The story makes them walk down the memory lane and relive the past.
- Lesson: Learn to listen, even if you can’t help. It’s magic medicine for others. Listen to your wife, kids, parents, team, friends. Just listen, and praise them. Do not offer solutions, until they ask specifically.
- I have learned not to correct people even when I know they are wrong. The onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Piece is more precious than perfection.
- Lesson: Piece is more precious than perfection. Don’t throw your advice, when it is not welcomed.
- I give compliments freely and generously. Compliments are a mood enhancer not only for the recipient, but also for me. A small tip for the recipient of a compliment, never, NEVER turn it down, just say “Thank you”.
- Lesson: Life is not easy. Compliments and ‘Thank you’ are the magic words without any cost. Learn to express gratitude and say Thank you
- I’ve learned not to bother about a crease or a spot on my shirt. Personality speaks louder than appearances.
- Lesson: Appearance are important, specially in professional and social environment, but they are not everything. Try to look decent, but do not waste lot of time and energy for perfection in appearance.
- I walk away from people who don’t value me. They might not know my worth, but I do.
- Lesson: Don’t worry about Char log kya kahenge or varbal jibes. Simply walk away. Piece is more important than winning useless arguments.
- I remain cool when someone plays dirty to outrun me in the rat race. I am not a rat and neither am I in any race.
- Lesson: This happens in professional and social environments. People play dirty tricks against you to make them look better than you. Best response is to prove them wrong by your work. Target for success; success speaks louder than words.
- I’m learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. It’s my emotions that make me human.
- Lesson: Be yourself. Never be shameful of what you are and certainly don’t worry of Char log kya kahenge.
- I have learned that it’s better to drop the ego than to break a relationship. My ego will keep me aloof, whereas with relationships, I will never be alone.
- Lesson: Our relations are more important than our ego. Surrendering to your partner or loved ones, is losing an argument, but winning the relation.
Hindi: हार कर जीतने वाले को बाज़ीगर कहते हैं।
Hindlish: Haar kar jeetne wale ko Baazigar kahte hain.
English translation: Those who win by losing are the great players (In life, not in sports)Background: Lead actor lose against lead actress’ father in a horse race, to win her love.
It means, it is wise to lose/sacrifice few lower value things (like ego, some money) for higher valued things (Relations, piece of mind, etc.)
– Dialog form movie “Baazigar”
- I’ve learned to live each day as if it’s the last. After all, it might be the last.
- Lesson: A great life lesson. Don’t leave thing on tomorrow. If we can do something now, do it now. This is specially right for gratitude, give due compliments.
- I am doing what makes me happy. I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to me. Happiness is a choice. You can be happy at any time, just choose to be!
- Lesson: Happiness do not depend on materials, or ego. Do not run behind them. Think what makes you happy and decide to remain happy. Remember Happiness is the ultimate goal.