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How To Find Joy In Your Life |
Ever have that awful feeling that your life is wasting away? That you feel unappreciated, underrated and unsatisfied? What about feeling so stressed, that the veins in your head feel like they're going to explode? Well, don't worry, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but the only way to reach it is if you make the conscious effort to change your daily habits and lifestyle, and realize that there is no better time than the present.
One of the major reasons why we fail to find happiness or to create unique lifestyle is because we have not yet mastered the art of being.
“It is difficult to live in the present, ridiculous to live in the future, and impossible to live in the past. Nothing is as far away as one minute ago.” Jim Bishop
While we are home our thoughts are still absorbed with solving the challenges we face at the office. And when we are at the office we find ourselves worrying about problems at home. We go through the day without really listening to what others are saying to us. We may be hearing the words, but we aren't absorbing the message. As we go through the day we find ourselves focusing on past experiences or future possibilities.
We are so involved in yesterday and tomorrow that we never even notice that today is slipping by. We go through the day rather than getting something from the day. We are everywhere at any given moment in time except living in that moment in time.
By living in the moment we can make better choices, improve our communication skills and live a more joyful and productive life.
When you bring your awareness into the moment of now, all worries of the past and all imagined fears of the future gently fade away until all that's left is the vivid experience of the present. It is in this state that you actually start to see life. You'll see colors you never saw before. It is in this awareness where appreciation grows.
“The secret of health for both the mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, not to anticipate troubles, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly.” - Buddha -
Lifestyle is learning to be wherever you are. It is developing a unique focus on the current moment, and drawing from it all of the substance and wealth of experience and emotions that it has to offer.
Lifestyle is taking time to watch a sunset. Lifestyle is listening to silence. Lifestyle is capturing each moment so that it becomes a new part of what we are and of what we are in the process of becoming. Lifestyle is not something we do; it is something we experience. And until we learn to be there, we will never master the art of living well.
Most philosophers and spiritual gurus agree that much of our worldly woes can be conquered if we learn to live in the moment. Maybe most of us have heard of this concept but not many of us are able to implement the philosophy of living in the moment. What are the benefits of this concept?
The foremost benefit is that it gives you focus. Isn’t being focused one of the main attributes of success?
Living in the moment is not a mysterious concept. We’ve all done it at one time or another. The key to a full life is to regularly live in the moment, to participate fully and not miss a thing. Much of the stress we suffer is because we are trying to juggle too many things at the same time. Too many distractions, too little time and divided attention, these are the causes of general unhappiness. Living in the moment is the panacea for an easy mind.
Most of us will agree that it is easier said than done. How does one achieve it? Well, here are 10 ideas that could help one to live in the moment.
One thing at a time
To live in the moment, you must learn to pigeonhole — to concentrate only on the task at hand. Most of us are busy thinking about other things even as we are completing a task. Compartmentalise your life like the surgeon who has to put aside all thoughts while performing an intricate surgery in the operating room. A little distraction could take a life, so concentration and focus become the watchwords for him.
Observe and enjoy
The fog of worry keeps us from observing sights, sounds and smells. We tend to miss out on the best things in our life. The next time you feel stressed, rather than tuning out, try to observe things very closely, instead. Focus on the colour of a sunset or the leaves blowing on a tree.
The art of listening
We’ve become a society adept at half-listening to people while our minds are elsewhere. We hear only what suits us and ignore the rest, most of the time losing out on the important words spoken with full passion. Whether it’s a colleague, your child or a friend doing the talking, practise giving them your full and undivided attention.
Meditation and prayers
Over three decades ago, Dr Herbert Benson coined the term ‘relaxation response’ to explain the physiology of quiet states of mind. Whether you are offering a prayer to God or focusing on your breathing, your brain gets bathed in alpha waves and your blood pressure drops. It is an exhilarating sensation. Give it a few minutes and you won’t want the moment to end.
Breathe deeply
Have you been so busy lately you haven’t had the chance to catch your breath? Learn to inhale and exhale slowly and with awareness. Pranayama is the best method to learn if you want to enjoy and be aware of the intricacies of your breath. Breathing is the only thing that can make you aware of the present moment.
Move with awareness
Moving with awareness would require full attention to the rhythm of your muscles and body. Any kind of rhythmic movement brings about a change in our perspective about life. When we dance or play a game with abandon, we are enjoying the effort of our movement. When you dance in time to the music or row in unison with your team, you are anchored to the moment.
Focus on little pleasures
According to the author of The Pleasure Zone, psychologist Stella Resnick, it is important to celebrate life’s pleasures, big and small. It is not essential for the pleasures to be great; even a little joy brought by the smile of a child can be enjoyed to the fullest. No one needs to tell joyful people to live in the moment; they’re already there.
Seek novelty
Even if you walk along the same route every morning, there are always subtle changes. Make a habit of looking for something new — a bed of flowers that has begun to bloom or a building with a fresh coat of paint, or a new sapling that has sprouted. Novelty encourages and gives a new dimension to the thought process.
Don’t think of what could have been
“If only I could get that raise, then I’ll be happy.” “What if I never find the right man? “If only I could lose two kilos, then I’ll start enjoying life.” Why should one impose conditions for happiness? It is like making a bad bargain. You land up losing what you have on hand. Wisdom lies in total acceptance and enjoyment of the boons that God has granted, instead of seeking conditional joy.
There is nothing wrong with having goals, but don’t let them distract you from the here and now.
Look for the opportunity
When you live in the moment, you identify opportunity — even if those opportunities are nothing more than the chance to practise courage and patience. If we look hard enough we will find an opportunity in the worst of the scenarios. Most of us are so attuned to finding the negative that we can’t locate the positive.
Don’t resign yourself to misery. Don’t put life on hold until your goals are reached. If you are creative, you will always find something to appreciate. To live in the moment is to appreciate what you have instead of pining for what you don’t.
Living in the moment is not a novel concept. We've all done it at one time or another. The key to a full life is to regularly live in the moment, to participate fully and not miss a thing. Even in times of distress, it's our best chance to grow stronger and smarter. Whether you are changing diapers, paying bills or making love, you can enrich your daily life with focus and concentration.
Remember, your happiness directly affects your emotional and physical wellbeing, and this in turn directly affects those around you. In other words, if you're more happy and relaxed it won't just benefit you, it will also benefit others.
The key to experiencing happiness is to put joy on your life agenda along with completing tasks and goals. Joy is a direct result of intention. Your intention determines how you experience each moment of your day, each aspect of your world. As you go through your daily activities, ask yourself, "What's my intention?" A clear, strong intention for happiness helps you stay focused on fun and joy.
Teaching yourself to be joyful is the single greatest thing you could do to enhance your health. Advancing medical technology is enabling us to learn how the human physiology and psyche are affected by negative and positive emotions. Our three primary negative emotions–fear, anger and sadness–have devastating effects on our bodies when experienced in a prolonged state. On the other hand, our two primary positive emotions–joy and excitement–are like medicine to the body,
Happiness is not experienced in the past or in the future. Happiness is always experienced in the moment. If you are waiting to be happy sometime in the future, you might be waiting a very, very, very long time.
Happiness can be created; it’s not merely bestowed upon us like good hair or evenly descending toes. By learning to find the magic in each day, you can put your demons in their place and ensure that what you have left is the joy of living moment by moment, day by day.
The key to experiencing happiness is to put joy on your life agenda along with completing tasks and goals. Joy is a direct result of intention. Your intention determines how you experience each moment of your day, each aspect of your world. As you go through your daily activities, ask yourself, "What's my intention?" A clear, strong intention for happiness helps you stay focused on fun and joy.
Teaching yourself to be joyful is the single greatest thing you could do to enhance your health. Advancing medical technology is enabling us to learn how the human physiology and psyche are affected by negative and positive emotions. Our three primary negative emotions–fear, anger and sadness–have devastating effects on our bodies when experienced in a prolonged state. On the other hand, our two primary positive emotions–joy and excitement–are like medicine to the body,
"One of the wonderful things about being alive is that it is never too late. Everyone has a choice to live in joy and excitement or in fear, anger and sadness-regardless of their circumstances.
"Many people spend a great deal of time and energy thinking about past problems and future concerns while the present passes them by. Remember the here and now is a gift, which is why they call it the 'present'. Treat it like a present, enjoy it to the fullest and make the most of it." -- Anonymous
To pursue happiness is an inalienable right. To experience happiness is not. No one owes you happiness. No one can ensure your happiness. Happiness is a choice -- your choice.
So, the bottom line is, LEARN to LOVE your life, this life, just as it is. You may never achieve all your dreams and it may never get better than this (not that this is so bad, really), it may never be what I hoped and dreamed. So, I'm growing up; releasing lots of fantasies and deciding to whole-heartedly Love and fiercely embrace this Life of mine, as it is.
In the words of author Betty Nickerson: "...think hard and deep about what you want the rest of your life to mean to you...what you want to achieve. List your heart’s desire. This is the first day of the rest of your life...fill it with light!"
For those of you who have some extra time, visit this inspirational website - www.quotelady.com/subjects/joy.html
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