I live in a dimension from where everything looks beautiful. Yes, there is chaos and confusion, but I tend to find my sanity in that randomness. How? Because I have promised myself to initially spot what is pleasing and then deal with the unpleasing with love and gratitude. I have made a conscious choice of being happy!
As simple as it may sound, achieving a state of Happiness is not a simple job. Happiness is a constant work of making a choice to look at the bright spot of a dull painting. With practice, you realise that even the dull colours have meaning and add to the purpose of making the bright colours stand out. Every unforeseen event in life has a meaning. Boredom has a meaning. Monotony has a meaning, and even uneasiness has a meaning. These are the dull underrated catalyst in life that help you suddenly appreciate the relatively brighter areas of life.
I have met numerous parents who say that whatever I am doing today will make my child happy tomorrow. Be in investing in education, instilling values, making rules or disciplining. I agree that the seed of happiness will flourish into a beautiful tree in the future but who said that we need to wait for the full-blown tree to experience the joy of nature. Happiness is happening now, this very moment when you are with your children. Happiness is making small everyday memories that eventually turn into seeds that children can use to make their own beautiful garden. A busy lifestyle is an excuse to miss the chance of sharing a laugh or creating a precious memory with loved ones. Seed the happy tree in your heart now, this very moment. The beauty of this tree is that it flourishes instantly and gives bountiful joy back.
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1. Start your day with a happy memory of yesterday
How many of us wake up and immediately start listing out the tasks for the day, think of the deadline that we must meet or an anticipated event? In a way, the moment we wake up, we jump to the future, which has yet to bring its own experiences. Ideally, one must stay in the present moment but if you have an overactive brain, try switching to the recent past when you wake and gradually bring yourself to the present. Think of one good memory from the day before. Embrace that memory and let it bring a smile to your face. Be grateful for that moment and expand that happiness to the present moment. This is a very simple way of beginning the day with a happy thought.
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2. Bring music into your life
Vedanta says that in the beginning, there was just a sound. In fact, as you enter the deeper realms through meditation, all thoughts and images finally dissolve into just one sound. Then, it makes complete sense to use this magnanimous power of sound vibrations to charge our mind and soul. The moment you feel drained down by a thought or external situation, use music as a tool to dive out and revitalise. You don’t particularly have to listen to mantras or calming music; just listen to what stirs your soul.
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3. Is it worth the thought?
The cycle of life is so intoxicating that we are often absorbed into every toxicity that comes our way. The basis of Vedanta is to train the mind in developing the insight to differentiate between what is real or permanent and what is unreal or impermanent. Look around you and observe this impermanence of life. You will find that only love and wisdom are real and eternal with time. Petty squabbles, anger, relationships, competition, and stress is unreal or an illusion created by our ego to make us feel in control. This is an extremely liberating thought and the key to not trading happiness for stress.
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4. Surround yourself with small reminders and share your joy
I have a firm belief in the power of positive words and affirmations. My house is full of uplifting paintings and books that can give respite to a tired mind. During the first year of the pandemic, I painted decorative wood slices in bright colours and wrote positive thoughts on them. Intending to revive hope, I hung the twenty-one double-sided messages on a tree outside my house and put a signboard in front that said #thehappytree. I extended my internal joy and found a way to share it with passers-by. My Happy Tree has, in the past two years has not just managed to bring joy to the local community but has also extended across the globe. People across the continents joined me this year in making a Happy Tree. This is the power of one happy thought. Consider making a happy tree as a family. You will be amazed at the joy it brings!
In conclusion, I want to remind you that happiness is not a tree that bears fruit in the distant future. Its magic is happening now, this very moment. You have the choice to expand on that magic and turn these moments into everlasting memories. Make happiness a habit, a conscious way of life and an extension of your personality. Nourish the happy tree in your heart. In return, life will embrace you with fruits of abundant love and joy for eternity. That, as Vedanta says, is real.
Ekta Bajaj is a writer, visual artist, motivational speaker and Co-Founder of the award-winning publishing company, Author In Me. She is also the author of the empowering book, ‘The Voice of Kali’ and co-author of ‘Book of Affirmations for Children’. Her deep passion for storytelling and positive thinking has inspired her to research the ancient knowledge of Vedanta that provides a holistic approach towards developing mental and emotional strength.