How To Live & Die
I’ve often thought about what it is that makes people happy—
what one has to do in order to achieve happiness.
what one has to do in order to achieve happiness.
1- First and foremost is good health. If you do not enjoy good
health, you can never be happy. Any ailment, however trivial,
will deduct something from your happiness.
health, you can never be happy. Any ailment, however trivial,
will deduct something from your happiness.
2- Second, a healthy bank balance. It need not run into crores,
but it should be enough to provide for comforts, and there
should be something to spare for recreation—eating out,
going to the movies, travel and holidays in the hills or by the
sea. Shortage of money can be demoralising. Living on credit
or borrowing is demeaning and lowers one in one’s own eyes.
but it should be enough to provide for comforts, and there
should be something to spare for recreation—eating out,
going to the movies, travel and holidays in the hills or by the
sea. Shortage of money can be demoralising. Living on credit
or borrowing is demeaning and lowers one in one’s own eyes.
3- Third, your own home. Rented places can never give you
the comfort or security of a home that is yours for keeps. If it
has garden space, all the better. Plant your own trees and
flowers, see them grow and blossom, and cultivate a sense of
kinship with them.
the comfort or security of a home that is yours for keeps. If it
has garden space, all the better. Plant your own trees and
flowers, see them grow and blossom, and cultivate a sense of
kinship with them.
4- Fourth, an understanding companion, be it your spouse or a
friend. If you have too many misunderstandings, it robs you of
your peace of mind. It is better to be divorced than to be
quarrelling all the time.
friend. If you have too many misunderstandings, it robs you of
your peace of mind. It is better to be divorced than to be
quarrelling all the time.
5- Fifth, stop envying those who have done better than you in
life—risen higher, made more money, or earned more fame.
Envy can be corroding; avoid comparing yourself with others.
life—risen higher, made more money, or earned more fame.
Envy can be corroding; avoid comparing yourself with others.
6- Sixth, do not allow people to descend on you for gossip. By
the time you get rid of them, you will feel exhausted and
poisoned by their gossip-mongering.
the time you get rid of them, you will feel exhausted and
poisoned by their gossip-mongering.
7- Seventh, cultivate a hobby or two that will fulfill you—
gardening, reading, writing, painting, playing or listening to
music. Going to clubs or parties to get free drinks, or to meet
celebrities, is a criminal waste of time. It’s important to
concentrate on something that keeps you occupied
meaningfully.
gardening, reading, writing, painting, playing or listening to
music. Going to clubs or parties to get free drinks, or to meet
celebrities, is a criminal waste of time. It’s important to
concentrate on something that keeps you occupied
meaningfully.
8- Eighth, every morning and evening devote 15 minutes to
introspection. In the mornings, 10 minutes should be spent in
keeping the mind absolutely still, and five listing the things you
have to do that day. In the evenings, five minutes should be
set aside to keep the mind still and 10 to go over the tasks
you had intended to do.
introspection. In the mornings, 10 minutes should be spent in
keeping the mind absolutely still, and five listing the things you
have to do that day. In the evenings, five minutes should be
set aside to keep the mind still and 10 to go over the tasks
you had intended to do.
9- Ninth, don’t lose your temper. Try not to be short-tempered,
or vengeful. Even when a friend has been rude, just move on.
or vengeful. Even when a friend has been rude, just move on.
10- Above all, when the time comes to go, one should go like
a Person without any regret or grievance against anyone.
a Person without any regret or grievance against anyone.
Really nice one
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