What makes life happy?
Most often I find myself wondering a lot about life in general. We read 100s of books or listens to podcasts from people of different experience seeking what is life after all, why is it difficult, and what makes life happy.
Before I jump into the blabbering my version of the answer, let me ask you this simple question; What is happy life according to you? Close your eyes right away and imagine the version of the happy life you imagined for yourself always. Is that version you imagined is same as it is right now? If not ask again Why? Say, one person imagines their life with a big owned house, 2–3 vehicles parked outside, children & pets all over and so. Whereas another person might imagine their happy life as nothing but that yummy breakfast, a good afternoon nap, an evening walk, and some book time with themselves without having to worry about what’s tomorrow and enjoying life as it is today. So whatever you imagine, your version is always unique to you, and that's perfectly fine because that's how the world works. Regardless of any version, there are only 3 aspects as per me you could work on for the happy life you imagined, so here they are:
- EXPECT LESS:
A perfect self-help coach might say do not expect at all, but I feel it’s a stupid idea. We are humans for the reason, we hold emotions & values and it's surely not possible for us not to expect at all. Expecting a person to love you back just because you do is stupidity, expecting a co-operate to reward you double their budget is senseless, expecting everybody to treat you the same way you treat them is foolishness, expecting a gift just bcs you gifted them is truly immaturity. Life in general is way beyond always expecting others to do things for you. Life becomes so easy if you just buy that one gift you wanted for yourself instead of expecting others to buy it for you. No, not saying to be so independent that you forget there are people who truly love and do things for you but just saying if in case they don’t, please don’t sit and whine that life is unfair. Instead, just remind yourself that I’m enough and I do not over-expect either from others or from myself.
2. DO NOT ASSUME:
We all have this habit of assuming and overthinking a situation even though it’s quite simple. As the saying goes, half the problems are just in your head than in real life. I’m somebody who indulges in overthinking a lot, even before the situation arises I might have already thought 1000 times over it on all the positives, negatives, and everything. Most of the time situation doesn’t arise at all. And it’s the same with assuming. If you feel that somebody treated you badly bcs they don’t like you, just ask them away if they are okay and why they behaved the way they did, you will be surprised to know that a lot of times it was some other frustration which just happened to put out on you. Many misunderstandings and issues could be solved if you just pause for a moment breathe in and ignore/analyze/ask instead of assuming.
3. BE GRATEFUL and BE KIND:
Gratitude journaling, being grateful videos, and helping random people on road for more views on social media, are on trend these days and people follow them as if it’s some task you can get done to make you feel happy. But in reality, if understood and done religiously these simple acts brings you immense happiness. Today, whenever you find some time between the day sit, close your eyes, imagine what went well today and smile, and feel how you felt. Even as simple as your last breath is something you could truly appreciate and you might find it silly, still do it once a day. Coming to kindness, you don’t always have to show big gestures, you don’t have to donate 100s and 1000s to be kind. A simple act of smiling at a stranger is also kindness. Asking for a glass of water when you have a delivery person at door is kindness. Practice simple gratitude and kindness on a day to day life and see how much difference they make. Adding my fav quote on the same — World does not need more successful people but needs more Kind ones to make difference.
So I believe life becomes happy when you expect less, do not assume, and be more grateful & kind. Surely adopting these points in life doesn’t magically makes you rich to buy that house you wanted or make your day perfect, but that minor change in the way how you look at things and people will make difference. And surely will make you feel that your life is Happy and beautiful.
Let me know what’s happy life according to you in the comments and how close are you to that.
