This is no Desiderata and I am no Max Ehrmann. If you want something more poetic, there’s where you should go. But what I am presenting here are what I believe to be the elements of the happiness formula, the steps on the path to happiness, the way to get there… or here, if you understand me.
Here it is:
Be mindful. Be amazed. Be grateful. Be content. Be optimistic. Be compassionate. Be generous. Be happy.
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Be mindful. Be mindful of all the beauty that surrounds you. Be mindful of the infinite possibilities that are always available for you. Be present in this moment, right here, right now, not lost in thoughts, ruminating the past and anticipating the future with unnecessary worries. Since in the final analysis a good life is a collection of good moments, extract all the good you can of each and every present moment. Be awake, alert, and aware, in order to be fully and joyfully alive. Don’t allow the past unhappiness, and the pursuit of an imagined future happiness, to be the sources of your present unhappiness. Again, don’t ruminate and don’t anticipate. Be here, now.
Be amazed. Be amazed with all the magic, mystery, and miracles that surround you. Cultivate a patient, childlike curiosity. Cultivate the eyes of a tourist, the mind of a beginner, the boldness of an explorer, the inquisitiveness of a scientist, the attentiveness of an investigator. See beyond what you see. Look with the eyes of the body and see with the eyes of the heart. Feel the breeze, and watch the leaves and branches dancing with the wind. See the reflections on the pond, and the shining sparks on the surface of the water. See things as you’ve never seen them before. Be aware of the eternal and the transient. Notice the permanence and impermanence of all. Nothing lasts forever. Know that in the physical form neither you nor anyone else will last forever. Know that what is bad will not last forever, nor what is good. Everything changes. Everything passes. So do not get too attached to anything or anyone, not even your loved ones, your body, your ideas about yourself, or even the idea that a thing called “self’ exists. Learn to release and let go of everything.
Be grateful. Be grateful for all the gifts that were freely given to you. Be grateful for the life you have, for the adventure you are living.
Be content. Be content and satisfied with your share, with all that was given to you. Don’t compare yourself with others. There will always be people who are, who do, and who have more than you, as well as people who will be, do, and have less than you. Stop comparing. You are not less than anyone else; nor more. You are you. Be yourself. Be who you are. Be authentic and genuine. Be humble. Try not to judge and condemn.
Be optimistic. Be optimistic, hopeful, and positive. Trust that everything in the Universe is unfolding as it should, and better things and situations are always coming your way. Remember to look at the biggest possible picture always, and see that what seems very significant, actually is not. Look at your own experience and see that many of the things you thought were good and wanted, turned out to be bad, and many of the things you didn’t want turned our to be good. Cultivate a great sense of humor.
Be compassionate. Develop empathy, and try to see and feel as others see and feel. Decide to do something to make someone else’s life better. Be kind, patient, forgiving, gentle, and loving. Be fair, just, and honest.
Be generous. Give. Give. Give. Give love. Give of yourself — your time and undivided attention — to others. Give them your shoulder to cry. Be of service to others. Be kind. Listen. Be a peacemaker, a bringer of peace, a promoter of peace. Be at peace with others and with yourself. Be gentle with others and with yourself. Do not demand too much nor be too harsh with yourself. Relax and enjoy.
and, by doing all this, day in and day out, you will…
Be happy!
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Stay in touch.
Meetup – http://www.meetup.com/PeacefulWays/events/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/peacefulways
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Take a look at these books at the Peaceful Ways online store
http://peacefulways.org/store/
– “Peaceful Ways – The Power of Making Your Wishes Come True”
– “Pay Attention! Be Alert! Discovering Your Route to Happiness”
– “Silent Peace Walk”
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Piero Falci is an author and educator who believes that the inner work that leads to personal awakening and transformation is indispensable to create a wholesome world. He is an explorer of the mysteries of life who loves to observe, reflect, and write, and who not only strives to live a life that matters, but also hopes to inspire others to do the same. He is a promoter of peace who believes in advancing the idea that Heaven is here if we want it to be. He teaches mindfulness meditation and mindful living, and organizes Silent Peace Walks.
