The pursuit of happiness is a quest that every human being shares. But somewhere along the way, we’ve forgotten what the true nature of happiness actually is.
Happiness is characterized as something to pursue and capture, something that can be tracked down or even purchased. You might think that happiness is only attainable when you’ve reached a certain weight, or once you have a certain amount of money in the bank.
But true happiness doesn’t have qualifications or prerequisites. It isn’t a moment, but rather a state of being. Happiness is something that lives within you, something that is already your birthright. You have been created to feel joy, to feel a sense of belonging, and to have purpose, peace, and fulfilment. Happiness, to a great extent, is a choice.
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As Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar once wisely said, “Don’t postpone your happiness until some perfect future date. Be happy now, tomorrow will take care of itself.”
We, at Art of Living, are on a mission to #SpreadHappiness in the world. Each day, life’s simple joys remind us that true happiness comes from within, and that by tapping into our deeper self, we can live authentically, joyfully and at our highest potential.
Here are 3 simple ways to #SpreadHappiness and celebrate!
1. Be with nature
Leave your cellphones at home, lace up your walking shoes, and head outside to be with nature! Give yourself some time to just enjoy the sound of birds singing in the trees, the temperature and quality of the air, and the beautiful colours of nature. Appreciating nature can help you recognize the beauty of your own life and connect you to the larger world around you, increasing your sense of belonging and purpose.
2. Hug someone
Research shows that hugging someone you love for 20 seconds is beneficial not only for your emotions, but for your physical health as well. We are built to touch each other! Children who were cuddled more by their parents grow into happier and healthier adults. In North American culture, physical affection is so often restricted to our romantic partners, and this can lead to us becoming touch-starved, which has a detrimental effect on our well-being. So grab a friend, a family member, or even your cat, and give them a big, long hug.
3. Tidy up
There’s an old saying that the state of your home or desk reflects the state of your mind, and it turns out that there’s actually some truth to this! Keeping your environment clean and tidy has a significant impact on your overall level of happiness.
Having an organized space helps to quiet your mind and boost your focus and concentration, and it also imparts a sense of overall peace, contentment, and accomplishment. Even if that mountain of laundry seems insurmountable, give your space a quick 10-minute tidy a few times a day. Those little stretches of time add up!
