Almost everyone has heard the hit single ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’ by Bobby McFerrin. The song has a very catchy way of conveying its message of happiness for all. Bobby McFerrin’s song has surely made a lot of people happy simply by telling them not to worry.
Living a happy, resilient and optimistic life is wonderful, and is also good for your health. Being happy actually protects you from the stresses of life. Stress is linked to top causes of death such as heart disease, cancer and strokes.
One of the better things that has ever been said is – ‘The only thing in life that will always remain the same is change’. In our lives we have the power to make the necessary changes if we want to. Even if we find ourselves in an unbearable situation we can always find solace in the knowledge that it too will change.
Happiness is actually found in everyone, increasing it is a way to make a life more wonderful and also more healthy. To be happy is relatively easy, just decide to be a happy person. Abraham Lincoln observed that most people for most of the time can choose how happy or stressed, how relaxed or troubled, how bright or dull their outlook to be. The choice is simple really, choose to be happy.
There are several ways by which you can do this:
Being grateful is a great attitude. We have so much to be thankful for. Thank the taxi driver for bringing you home safely, thank the cook for a wonderful dinner and thank the guy who cleans your windows. Also thank the mailman for bringing you your mail, thank the policeman for making your place safe and thank God for being alive.
News is stressful. Get less of it. Some people just can’t start their day without their daily dose of news. Try and think about it, 99% of the news we hear or read is bad news. Starting the day with bad news does not seem to be a sensible thing to do.
A religious connection is also recommended. Being part of a religious group with its singing, sacraments, chanting, prayers and meditations fosters inner peace.
Manage your time. Time is invaluable and too important to waste. Time management can be viewed as a list of rules that involves scheduling, setting goals, planning, creating lists of things to do and prioritizing. These are the core basics of time management that should be understood to develop an efficient personal time management skill. These basic skills can be fine tuned further to include the finer points of each skill that can give you that extra reserve to make the results you desire.
Laugh and laugh heartily everyday. Heard a good joke? Tell your friends or family about it. As they also say -‘Laughter is the best medicine’.
Express your feelings, affections, friendship and passion to people around you. They will most likely reciprocate your actions. Try not to keep pent up anger of frustrations, this is bad for your health. Instead find ways of expressing them in a way that will not cause more injury or hurt to anyone.
Working hard brings tremendous personal satisfaction. It gives a feeling of being competent in finishing our tasks. Accomplishments are necessary for all of us, they give us a sense of value. Work on things that you feel worthy of your time.
Learning is a joyful exercise. Try and learn something new everyday. Learning also makes us expand and broaden our horizons. And could also give us more opportunities in the future.
Run, jog, walk and do other things that your body was made for. Feel alive.
Avoid exposure to negative elements like loud noises, toxins and hazardous places.
These are the few simple things you can do everyday to be happy.
And always remember the quote from Abraham Lincoln, he says that, “Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”
Don’t worry. Be Happy!
Filed under Wellbeing by on Jun 22nd, 2010. 
It might take a little coffee or maybe a few rounds of beer (or any other booze you can get your hands on!) when it comes to relaxing after a hard day’s work. But what’s really interesting is how people continue with their day to day lives when faced with vein-popping stress? I mean, the new age thing like Zen or yoga is one of the good things and it actually works. Is there room in our modern world for the intellectual side of people? It kind of had me thinking that there really must be something in this ‘mind-over-matter’ thing.
Humour is indeed pretty much the best medicine there is whatever your situation. Despite what’s happening in your life, and whatever ordeals, problems and issues you may be struggling with, it’s better to laugh while facing the troubles with a clear mind than project anger through a clouded vision.
One of my favourite celebrities of all time may have to be Woody Allen. Now this is one guy who gives you the in-your-face bluntness that he pulls out with gusto, even without even trying. You can talk just about anything with the man, and he’s bound to mock the subject and you’ll end up laughing rather than being upset about it.
Woody Allen has this to say:
1. “Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons
2. “I believe there is something out there watching us. Unfortunately, it’s the government.”
3. “There are worse things in life than death. Have you ever spent an evening with an insurance salesman?”
4. “Love is the answer, but while you’re waiting for the answer, sex raises some pretty interesting questions.”
5. “A fast word about oral contraception. I asked a girl to go to bed with me, she said ‘no’.”
6. “Basically my wife was immature. I’d be at home in the bath and she’d come in and sink my boats.”
7. “I am not afraid of death, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”
8. “I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose.”
9. “If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.”
And despite what may happen to all of us in the next ten, twenty, or even thirty years, I guess we have to learn to see things in a different light. I can’t seem to imagine life without a little piece of wisdom that could guide me. Whether we’re religious or not, or whether Life According to Woody Allen is more your cup of tea, it takes courage to accept your fears and learn how to deal with.
And to sum things up, here is the last nugget of wisdom to go by however, whenever, and wherever we may be.
10. “The talent for being happy is appreciating and liking what you have, instead of what you don’t have.”
Filed under Lifestyle by on Jun 12th, 2010.
It may be difficult for an individual, no matter what age, to admit they need help in controlling their problem with anger. However this is the initial step to treatment and learning how to control these emotions. Effective anger management help is assistance in discovering methods or strategies for managing anger problems or if fortunate enough, eliminating them all together. Effective anger management help will equip an individual to face their anger issues with a better attitude, as well as develop skills to control their reactions to confrontational situations.Read more on Effective Anger Management…
Filed under Wellbeing by on Jun 2nd, 2010.
The elderly face many more challenges than their younger counterparts. They are at an age where death is almost expected ñ whether it is reading about a friend in the paper or losing a family member. They also face more health problems. These factors can often lead to depression if older people do not have the appropriate support systems in place. Depression does not have to happen and it is not part of aging. However it can happen and it will prevent an elderly person from living a full life as they are more likely to withdraw into themselves and their memories.Read more on Depression in Over 50′s…
Filed under Wellbeing by on May 18th, 2010.
Have you read any of the plethora of books or seen any of the films telling you that if you just believe you can have whatever you want? Did it work? Probably not. But is that because it’s rubbish or because your expectations were unrealistic?
A recent study has found thatRead more on YES YOU CAN…
Filed under Barry's Blog by on Apr 27th, 2010.
I am going to ask you to something very weird right now. First of all, I want you to listen to your thoughts. Now tell me, what thoughts fill your head?Read more on The Powers of a Positive Attitude…
Filed under Lifestyle by on Oct 9th, 2009.
