My grandfather, a practicing Gandhian in his time, shared a set of principles for happiness with my dad who eventually relayed them down to me. I am happy to share these principles with you. Through practice, these principles when executed will create more joy and increase peace within you. Here are the three “C”s to happiness:
- Don’t Complain. Nothing in our life is in our control. What ever is done is done. There is no point cribbing about a situation you are in. What do you achieve from moanin’ and groanin’ about not having something go your way? There is no point throwing a tantrum about anything. Constant complaining has taking over our society. We complain when we don’t get a promotion. We complain that we are getting old. We complain when we are stuck in traffic. Is any event in life fully within your control? If not, then accept the situation. Huffin’ and puffin’ negativity creates more damage within and to those around you. Compromise with the situation instead.
- Don’t Compete. Life is not a race. Where are you running off to? What does coming in first mean anyway? Realize that there will always be someone in front of you but the truth is that there will also be someone behind you. There is no such thing as first place. It is temporary and replaceable, until the next situation or moment. Olympic records are broken all the time if you need proof. The mentality we have built that life is a race against others and you need to do whatever necessary to get head is doing more harm than good. You are increasing stress within to attain a temporary state of happiness. Train yourself to live life so it is not for the attainment of material things at the cost of relations with family, friends and those around you. I am not saying be complacent or don’t pursue personal success – but recognize that anything you achieve in this life is through the support of people, and this should be done in the spirit of collaboration with utmost respect for others, not with the idea of being better than them.
- Don’t Compare. The mentality of wanting things just like our friends, neighbors, family members has gotten inside our head. Do you think if someone has a big house, getting a bigger house to show off will make you happier? Do you think If someone has an expensive car, and you go out and buy an even fancier car to show off, that will make you happier? What about clothes? Jobs? etc. Be happy with what you have and what you can afford to have. It doesn’t matter if someone has a home better than yours, or a nicer car, or more pay, or a better job, or a happier family, or a better education. Your possessions, education, heritage, family background and achievements are a personal matter and no one else’s business. Learn to live within your means according to what you feel is necessary and be happy with what you have. It’s ok to buy a nice house, nice car, nice clothes, etc. but don’t go about getting those things with the intention of parading them off. Material things are to be enjoyed but develop a cooperative thinking mentality with yourself that you are satisfied, and you will find more joy.