HOW TO LIVE HAPPILY.

I have often thought about what makes people happy—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 affect your happiness.

2- Second, a sufficient bank balance. It need not be in crores, but it should be enough to provide for comforts, for recreation, for eating out, for going to movies, for travel etc. Shortage of money can be demoralising. Living on credit or borrowing lowers one’s dignity.

3- Third, your own home. Rented places can never give you the comfort or security of a home that is yours. If it has garden space, all the better. Plant your own trees and flowers, see them grow and blossom, and cultivate a sense of belonging with them.

4- Fourth, an understanding companion, be it your spouse or a best friend. If you have too many misunderstandings, it robs you of your peace of mind. It is better to accept the differences 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.

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.

7- Seventh, cultivate a hobby or two that will fulfill you—gardening, reading, writing, painting, playing or listening to music. It’s important to concentrate on something that keeps you occupied meaningfully.

8- Eighth, every morning and evening devote 20 minutes to meditation or introspection. In the mornings, 10 minutes should be spent listing the things you have to do that day.

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.

10- Above all, when the time comes to leave, one should go without any regret or grievance against anyone.