In Miscellaneous Writings, Mary Baker Eddy writes, "How shall we reach our true selves? Through Love." In his book, Proof of Heaven, Dr. Eben Alexander asserts that the source of all sorrow and woe, is the mistaken idea that man is somehow separated from this one and only Love, or Creator. To reestablish this link with Love, then, is to regain happiness that need never be lost. Tom Shadyac's astounding documentary "I Am," posits that Love is the grand solution to all the world's problems.
But for whatever reason, happiness, love, and an understanding of our purpose can seem to us to be a very difficult state to maintain. Perhaps it is the seemingly chaotic, hectic world we have created--an existence full of obligations, responsibilities, to-do lists, and endless demands on our time and energy. Perhaps it is the separation we have somehow established between ourselves and the natural world. Perhaps it is our gravitation toward material goods and away from those deeper contemplations that can bring us peace. Perhaps it is the isolation that exists between ourselves and our fellow man--we close each other out with headphones, iPads, cell phones, and a myriad of other anti-social technologies.
How can happiness and selfless love thrive in a society where we hardly have time to reflect on yesterday, so busy are we thinking about what must get done tomorrow?
It can. Let's take a step away from the time-saving tips today to remember that in all the busy-ness of our lives, happiness and love have their place--and that to make time for them is both necessary and possible, easy even.
Recently, I have read (or am currently reading) several books or articles, or have watched documentaries, whose premises all have one common denominator: Love. Love as our means to fulfillment, happiness, peace, and purpose.
Below, you will find some tips for living lovingly and happily, and a reading/viewing/listening list that might interest you if you are at all intrigued by the concepts of happiness or love, or by the question of finding meaning in your life.
Tips for Maintaining Happiness and Loving Your Neighbor: One in the Same
1. List all the good things about the coming day when you first wake up. (I usually try to find at least six good things. I don't know why, but six is my benchmark.) This can help give you something (or some things) to which you can look forward throughout the day. It also makes getting out of bed that much easier.
2. Start your day with a morning walk. The fresh air and sunlight are proven mood boosters, and the time spent in the peace and quiet of the morning will let you quiet your thoughts and mentally prepare for the day.
3. Make a mental (or actual) gratitude list before bed each night. This can help ease your mind from reeling on about the stresses of your day. Instead of focusing on all the things you wish you had gotten done or all the things that didn't go as well as you had hoped, focus on the things that did go well--perhaps unexpectedly so.
4. Give back and help others. This is often just as rewarding for you as it is helpful to the beneficiary.
5. Smile even if you don't want to. Several studies cite benefits to smiling, even if you feel like frowning.
6. Go outside.
7. Exercise on a regular basis. First, to avoid the activity's becoming drudgery, you must find the type of exercise that you enjoy. Do you enjoy social activities? Try a team sport like softball, roller hockey, or volleyball. Many places have adult leagues for those sports. Some YMCAs offer adult pick-up basketball games, as well. You might also consider joining a tennis club. If you're not a fan of organized sports but still like camaraderie, try a group exercise class like Zumba, water aerobics, yoga, boot camp, etc. Many organization also offer training groups for various races or differing lengths. Do you prefer to get outdoors? Try hiking, biking, walking, running, kayaking. Even gardening or housework can provide some solid physical activity.
8. It really is the little things that count. For example, I find a little joy every day is tearing the date off my daily crock pot calendar and discovering a new recipe. I feel exhilarated by the smell of the fresh air when I walk out to my car to drive to work. I feel affection and unconditional love when my dogs get up with me, tails wagging (and, in Jack's case, smiling) at 4:45 each weekday morning, ready to go like it's the middle of the day instead of the middle of the night. Pay attention to the little things that bring even a little happiness to your day. You will find there are a lot of them.
Reading/Viewing/Listening List
1. "I Am," documentary by Tom Shadyac. Length: 80 minutes. Can be found on Netflix.
2. Proof of Heaven, a book by Dr. Eben Alexander
3. Jonathan Livingston Seagull, a novella by Robert Bach
4. Man's Search for Meaning, a Holocaust survivor's story of finding purpose and overcoming seeming desolation and hopelessness, by Viktor Frankl
5. Miscellaneous Writings, a collection of works by Mary Baker Eddy
6. The Daily Lift, a two-minute, inspirational recording updated every weekday that can be reached at 617-450-3430.
Source:
Adams, Stacy Hawkins. "Teach children to develop happiness habits." The Richmond Times
Dispatch. 29 September 2013. G5.
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