HOW TO BE HAPPY

PROF T. K. G. NAMBOODHIRIBased on

“How to be happy; 7 tips to regain your optimism” by Susan Mallery, http://www.SusanMallery.com

INTRODUCTION

• Everybody wishes to be happy and toils throughout our life seeking happiness.

• Happiness is a state of mind.• We can consciously train our mind

to focus on the positive & be happy.

• Seven simple strategies to attain happiness.

1. Read books with a happy ending• Books nourish our soul.• Read books with a satisfying

ending which leave a feeling of pleasure.

• Romance and mystery novels, where goodness triumphs, are excellent examples.

• Such books send a message of hope and justice to our psyche.

2. Watch light hearted T V shows and movies

• Everything we put into our brain impacts the way we view the world.

• Our mind is very impressionable to what we see, irrespective of our age.

• Avoid dark and depressing dramas

3. Focus on positive stories in the news.

• Avoid the news and stock market reports, if possible.

• If we must, then in the end, skim one upbeat or entertaining story.

• Anything that will perk us up, like the coolest invention of the year, celebrity gossip, or tips on remodeling the house will eliminate the bad effects.

4. Discover something we loved as a children

• Think back on what you loved as a child.

• What subject you loved in school?• What game you loved most?• Who was your best friend?• Find a way to bring back at least

one of these into your life today.

5. Visit a new place

• New and different places invigorate us.• Make a trip to an exotic place, if possible.• Take a walk along a new path.• Go to a restaurant you have never

visited.• Observe your new surroundings carefully.• Do any of these at least once a week.

6. Connect with friends

• Find time to connect with friends who make you happy.

• Make a date with a friend to have lunch or breakfast with, at least once a week.

• Even a cup of coffee with a friend enlivens you.

7. Spend time each day doing things you love

• Listen to music of your choice.• Read good books you like.• Engage in a hobby of your

interest.• Spend some time everyday on

at least one of these.

EPILOGUE• You have to choose to be happy.• Take these 7 steps consistently, at

least for a month.• You are sure to develop the habit of

happiness.• You have to believe in happiness, or

happiness never comes.-Douglas Malloch

• Happiness does not consist in things, but in thoughts.-Booth