Reflections #2: The Road to Happiness

When my mum told me to clear up the side-shelf, I saw two crumpled-up pieces of glossy-inked paper. They were one of a collection of power-points my mum printed out. She's just like me. We print things we like. Apparently, in the place she works, the colleagues send those inspirational, usually Christian powerpoints about your health, happiness etc. This powerpoint was titled "The Art of Being Well" by Dr. Drauzio Varella.

I can't remember why I crumpled it in the first place. It's probably because I'm an impatient, messy person and I tried to chuck it somewhere in the shelf. I'm playing with the possibility that it crumpled itself, but that's not likely. Still, I am waiting for that day when I see some sort of magic happen to me.
The first time I read that powerpoint, I couldn't be bothered to digest the information( or was I just too dumb?). I've remembered at least one other occasion where I found one piece of the powerpoint and was re-reading it. Somehow or other, one phrase kept surfacing throughout the day- I think it was:

"Without confidence, there is no relationship."

Anyway, today, before going for training, I was waiting for my dad to get ready to leave the house, and I saw one side of the paper sticking out. It was vividly coloured- and being me, I like pretty, symbolic pictures (many people do, right?)- and I had to pull it out. After reading the words in the powerpoint, I remembered there was another piece and I hunted around for it.

This is a bit melodramatic- but I was enlightened. The truth dawned on me, like the burst of sunlight from grey clouds in one of those pictures, which I am looking at right now. I want to spread this wisdom of the person who made the powerpoint/said those things. So, I have summarised the main points of  how to be healthy and happy:

 If you don't want to be ill:

1.Speak your feelings (I just don't think you should gate-crash a wedding though, like in Speak Now, unless you have a very special someone)

2.Make Decisions

3.Find Solutions (In other words, don't be a negative person who whines, gossips and is pessimistic. I have so much to improve in this area. Since I like this point so much, I shall quote from it:

"It is better to light a match than to regret the darkness. A bee is small, but produces one of the sweetest things that exist." 

When I read that, I was completely convinced about becoming a more positive person. I like the analogy to light and dark and the example given of the bee. I can't really explain it. It's one of those things (I think) that when you read, you can hear a warm, kindly voice reading to you.  By just reading these two lines, I feel this warm fuzzy feeling.

4.Don't live by Appearances (Don't be a poser, because you are putting too much stress on yourself)

5.Accept (Accept that you are accepted, accept the criticisms)

6.Trust others

7. Do not live life sad(Enjoy good humor, laughter, rest and happiness)


Seven principles of living your life , One direction. These should be my principles of having a better life. I remember that I made a resolution list on my birthday this year and the most important resolution was : To be happier. Even now, I cannot say that I am truly blissful. I am ignorant and ambitious- but at least I try to be honest. This can probably be attributed slightly to the lack of right thinking- one aspect of the Eight-fold Path. Yet,  I have irregularly put in  uneven amounts of effort to be a happier person. I think I need more than effort, I need direction.

Of course, we cannot control how people think of us, do onto us. I sometimes foolishly question:

"Why does she think I'm..."

(Put aside my immaturity. I'll probably discuss this another time. ) Yet, we hold the key to our own happiness. I remembered hearing a song by Natasha someone this morning and I caught the words:

"Only you can speak the words from your lips. Only you can feel the rain on your skin and let it in."

 So, I believe, if I go about things in the right direction, but still let time lead me on, I should be able to become a happier person. I shall now apply principle 6 (but onto myself). I believe I can be happier, because I know I can.

After typing all these words, I feel a strong, pulsing force within me. May the Force be with you, as well.

Now that I come to it at last, what exactly is happiness? Can it be defined? I do not know.Do you?