It is only natural that we all want to feel good and be happy. However, if we want genuine and lasting happiness, we need to use our power of discrimination to know what’s good for us.
Forget recreational drugs, even the sugar and coffee that innocently sit on the shelves of your kitchen will give you a high. We become happy for a few minutes, until the power of that drug wears off.
Be it tobacco, travel, relationships or shopping all can become addictions as they may make us feel relaxed and happy for a short time but after sometime again we will need one of the addictions to get into our temporary state of happiness. So, like any addiction, it makes us a slave, and slaves are not masters of their own destinies. so be a Master or Slave - decision is only yours.
Here is a list of few things which can make us feel good but you have to be cautious about misuse and misunderstanding of them.
Praise:
Praise can surely help us to feel happy and good about ourselves. But if we get egotistical today then we can become deflated tomorrow or the next day when the desired or expected praise doesn’t come.
Remember the old adage that ‘Pride comes before a fall’! Instead of letting praise go to our heads use praise as a stepping stone to happiness by giving it to others.
Try praising someone today and see what you get in return. Of course, it needs to be genuine and from the heart. When you uplift others what in return you get is the utmost-bliss and happiness. Moreover enthusiasm, positivity and kindness bubble up within you and this is a dynamite recipe for lasting happiness within your own self.
Being of help to others:
Even when we are feeling gloomy or angry but lend a helping hand to those who need it, indeed it brings us greatest joy in return.
When we step away from our own selfishness and do something for others, it takes us away from our own negativity and brings feelings of satisfaction.
However, if we do ‘good deeds’ with a hidden motive and to show-off that ‘how good I am to take pity on others,’ will defeat the whole purpose of helping others. It is actually an indication that we are not really giving, instead we are taking. In such situation if the receiver of ‘your so-called help’ is not grateful, your happiness will turn to resentment in no time!
Working On Thy Self:
When we spend time on ourselves and aim to work and improve not only the mind and body but at soul level, we derive happiness naturally. When we work on ourselves for others benefits, we awaken our natural source of happiness i.e. our inner satisfaction. We need to work on ourselves as whole not just mind or just body. We need to work on our holistic development and improvement as we can’t take the risk of becoming a know-it-all without heart or someone with perfect body or outer appearance but deep inside it’s the rotten and darkened soul inside. In any of the case you will be destined for sorrows only.
Self-Management:
I am sure we all feel happiest when we are in control of ourselves. But self-control needs to be natural. Forcing, suppressing or doing things out of compulsion are not a happy solution. So as much as possible, align your thoughts to your words and your speech. This creates integrity, self-respect and ultimately true happiness.
Our ultimate goal should be the happiness which will last not just for a few moments or minutes but the one which will last forever and ever. To discover this happiness you should work on above suggestions along with self-discovery through the easy path of RajYoga Meditation. To learn more about the same visit our self-help link or any of our nearest centers based all across the globe at not cost at-all.
Also Read:
What is Happiness?
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