New Everyday Happiness Mantras

Happiness Mantra 1: Each new day holds out a chance to create a whole new beginning, a sparkling new field of possibilities. Seize the day. Enjoy! Happiness Mantra 2: The ecology, the geography of your inner mindspace, is in your hands. Create a mindspace full of positive emotions. Happiness Mantra 3: 'Swayambhu' is a word that describes happiness welling out of you, like an underground stream in the mountains. Be still and allow joy to find you. Happiness Mantra 4: Focus on stress and unhappiness should be turned upside down. Instead of attacking unhappiness, we should plant a garden of happiness, by welcoming the positive emotions into our lives - love, compassion, wonder, courage, laughter and peace. Happiness Mantra 5: Focusing on our unhappiness by attacking it only helps to magnetize more power and attention to the negative person, event or object that causes it. Hence focus on cultivating happy people and avoid toxic people. Happiness Mantra 6: When the garden is clean and blooming and full of life, the snakes of anger have no place to hide; the thorns of greed get cleared away. When the clutter of old hatreds is replaced by order, the flowers of friendship bloom. The scorpions of revenge and jealousy slither away and the butterflies of laughter return to celebrate the flowers. Happiness Mantra 7: Too much television is ‘Tele-visham’ – (Tele poison). Too much stimulation, a mindspace crowded by fantasy people and events, distracts you from focusing on your own mindspace, your home, your backyard. Happiness Mantra 8: Some days we seem to live a fantasy life dominated by day dreams, while reality tugs at our heartstrings for attention, like a neglected child. Take care of what is yours and enjoy it. Happiness Mantra 9: Let the cells of your body be gently bathed in happiness, positive thoughts and healing energies. Happiness Mantra 10: ‘Physical fitness is the most important thing in life. The capacity to attain perfection of mind and soul depends on your physical health. Take care of yourself as no one else can do it for you.’ Happiness Mantra 11: All the ancients believed that no attempt should be made to cure the body without treating the soul. Invest in an oil massage. Happiness Mantra 12: To be healthy is to have the ability, despite an occasional bout of illness, to live with full use of your faculties and to be vigorous, alert and happy to be alive, even in old age. This concept of operational health has been termed ‘wellness’. Take a peaceful mental health holiday

The Poetry of Life!

Poetry, music, dance, theatre and free speech capture the happiness capsule that Life has provided mankind. Even the most tragic of events hold forth in their arms a sheaf of poems, a collection of literature. This is the month we celebrate world poetry day. Poetry captures the deepest feelings of the human spirit – its joy, its wisdom, its failures, its deepest terrors. "By paying tribute to the men and women whose only instrument is free speech..... By giving form and words to that which has none – such as the unfathomable beauty that surrounds us, the immense suffering and misery of the world – poetry contributes to the expansion of our common humanity, helping to increase its strength, solidarity and self-awareness," says Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO. World poetry day is celebrated on March 21st as declared by UNESCO. The purpose of the day is to promote reading, writing publishing and teaching of poetry throughout the world. The Romans celebrated poetry on the birthday of the great poet Virgil. Poetry preserves the authentic feelings of people by creating an oral tradition, which often mingles with theatre. Many languages which have no script, like Tulu, my own language, is preserved in the oral tradition. Endangered languages are thus saved for posterity. Poetry breaks down barriers created by conflict. It makes us realize that as human beings, our innermost desires and feelings are the same. More translations into commonly read languages like English can bring about better understanding and peace in the world. Each celebrates Poetry Day in his own way. An Austrian coffee company offers a deal for coffee drinkers to pay with a poem. Last year, 1,00,000 coffee drinkers in 27 countries paid for their coffee with a poem. As a creative art often set to music, poetry makes us capture the most beautiful and elevated thoughts of our time on earth. So get involved in poetry recitals. Publish poetry promote the synthesis of poetry with other arts – theatre, dance, music and painting. And why not start writing poetry? Dr. Rekha Shetty Author of “Everyday Happiness Mantras” and And “Happy Street”

Children’s Day

Children’s day is celebrated in India on November 14th, Jawaharlal Nehru’s birthday. It is a day to celebrate the child. Children are the family’s greatest wealth and asset. Without Santhana Lakshmi (the goddess who bestows happiness in children) there is no joy in the family. The laughter, the mischief and newness children bring into the world is irreplaceable. As the Japanese say, ‘Children bring the ‘Oh!’ into your life’. It is also a day to pledge support for children suffering from abuse, violence, discrimination and death –all avoidable. One child dies every 90 seconds in India - this means 1.7 million children every year. Many children are motherless because women in India have only a 50/50 chance of skilled help during childbirth. A woman dies in childbirth every 10 minutes in our country. The Taj Mahal, the greatest monument to love, was built for Mumtaz Mahal by Shahjahan in Agra. She died at child birth, giving birth to her 14th child. The ‘State of World’s Mothers’ places India 76th on a list which shows the best places to be a mother. We lose more women every week because of this cause, than they lose in Europe, in a whole year. This is the same as having 400 Jumbo Boeing 747 planes crash annually. What is shocking is that one third of child death and 1/5th of the maternal death are caused by lack of nutrition. 153 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 are bonded into child labour. So what can you do to celebrate children’s day: 1. Write a beautiful letter to each of your children about how much you value them in your family 2. Send a gift to their teachers with a letter thanking them for giving them the gift of knowledge 3. Plan a special family outgoing, which they find interesting and exciting. 4. Children are great imitators. Be a person worth imitating. As Magic Johnson said, “All that kids need, is a little help, a little hope and somebody who believes in them”. On this day give some poor child some of these gifts.

Work to Win

‘Work hard and you will succeed’ said our elders. But what happens when you work hard, but are facing in the wrong direction. Today, research shows that working long hours, does not mean better work. Time to think, creates better ideas. Time to be still and be inspired is the secret of great work. Productivity reduces sharply after concentrated and sustained effort. Many writers do their best work in short, concentrated bursts. Charles Dickens worked for 5 hours a day from 8.00am till 2.00pm, with a break for lunch. Many focus on 3 hours a day. Antony Trollope published 47 novels writing between 5am and 8am. Today many worship the 80 hour week. But does this really lead to true productivity? Research shows that the best work emerges in researchers, from working 20 hours a week. Over 60 hours researchers say, were the least productive. Many workers in Japan, work for 100 hours a week and some of them die due to over work. Some of them are driven to extreme measures like alcoholism, violent anti-social behaviour and even suicide. So the Government of Japan is trying to urge industry and business to restrict the number of hours. Someone can work up to 60 hours a week and also make the taking annual vacation compulsory, for everyone. No one is allowed to accumulate his leave and cash it. You cannot get reimbursed by cash for forgoing your leave. You have to compulsorily use your leave, go on holiday and not report for work. This is having a major statutory and sobering effect on Japanese society. Practice is important. Practicing 10,000 hours can make you an expert in any field. But practice in a way that enables you to recover on a daily basis. Top performers rest and sleep better than others. Maybe the 10,000 hours of work should be taken gradually, allowing for atleast 4 times the amount of rest and sleep. To be a real winner, practice silence and deep contentment, alternating with intense effort.

Embracing the reading habit

“To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life” wrote W. Somerset Maugham. The whole world lies ready to bloom like a flower before your gaze as you journey into the heart of a great book. New people, new worlds, open before your bedazzled gaze as you explore the world through the eyes and heart of a literary genius. Choose your books carefully, as you have limited time. Take steps to make reading a daily perk. Each of us has the same amount of time – 24 hrs. Find a one hour period when you can read. It can be in 20 minute modules. Set apart a non digital time, when you don’t answer the phone, or access your computer. Have a book on hand; Keep it at your bed side; leave some in the car; use a bookmark. Read as you travel in the car (if you are not driving!) Start a book discussion group which meets once a month. Keep a record. Make a note of the books you are reading: your comments will be helpful to others in your circle. Record the time it takes to read. Listen to great audio books as you do your chores. Introducing structure: set apart a space, to read in. A good book can change the way you feel. It will keep you happy and satisfied. Identify a place in your life meant only for reading. Furnish it with pillows and a lovely blanket. Let it be cool and breezy. A small book shelf and a note book for your comments will complete the picture. Reading enables you to enjoy and explore the soul and life force of a genius. It gives you the opportunity to experience a different, adventurous, even a dangerous life, with no consequences. It is a means of learning, enjoying and feeling.

Preserving Forests and Water

The recent cyclone in Chennai, Vardha last December, uprooted 100 year old trees and turned green Chennai to a sad brown town. Unless each of us makes an effort to replace these portable oxygen factories, Chennai and its environment will suffer a shortage of rain and shade. Forests cover 1/3 of the earth’s surface. They sustain 1.6 billion people as a source of livelihood. More than 80% of all creatures, animals, plants and insects live in these forests. Yet 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed every year and account for 20% of the global green house gas emissions. The World Bank’s starting point now is to ask how can practices that have often led to significant forest degradation, tax evasion and corruption, be reformed, so that forests contribute more revenue to the State, produce more and better jobs, and result in more sustainable development? Forests are critical for the planet’s supply of water through rain. Their roots protect ground water supply while preventing soil erosion. Forest watersheds and wetlands supply 75% of the world’s fresh water supplying, one third of our cities drinking water. Forests act as natural water filters. Manoel Sobral Filho, Director of the UN Forum for Forests, speaks of massive growth of populations in Africa and Asia reaching 8.4billion people in 15 years. Some of the world’s largest cities depend on our forest water resources: Durban, Jakarta, Rio De Janeiro, Bogota, New York and Madrid. 75% of all fresh water is provided through forest catchments. Over 42% of the world’s workforces are heavily water dependent. Forests are a natural safety net during famine providing fruits, leaves, grains, nuts, timber and wood. So every year, plan to plant one tree a month in a protected area in your house, in a school or a community centre. Take your own steps to preserve water and planet earth.

Dance

The body moves to the cadence of music. The rhythm of drums had been part of the earliest societies. The Bhimbetka rock shelter paintings are 33000 years old. The dancing figures in Egyptian tombs are dated 33000 B.C. Dance has been an important part of ceremony, rituals, celebrations and entertainment. Dance was a means of social communication since the earliest times. The eyes, the fingers, the feet and the body are used to communicate information and ideas. Harvest dances are part of almost every culture. The rain dances are common among Red Indians, some African communities and surprisingly in China! The Dandiya reverberates through the towns of Gujarat during the Navarathri celebrations for the Goddess. Vigorous dance movements often induce ecstatic and heightened feelings that are useful in healing. They often led to trance states of heightened suggestibility. Dance was also used to preserve and pass on stories and literature to flow, from generation to generation. Dance can be a very enjoyable form of exercise. In fact Jazzercise has become the new craze, making exercise more zestful and less monotonous. Dance even more than exercise affects your flexibility, energy levels, controls weight and affects mental and emotional health. It is said that a ballerina can burn up to 432 calories while doing ballet. All forms of dance improve posture, balance and co-ordination with others. Improving dance steps enhances creativity and problem solving skills. It helps in improving memory skills. The release of emotions liberates the happiness chemicals like endorphins and serotonins. Dance unblocks neural pathways in diseases like Parkinson, while improving mood and satisfaction. As spring enters with the colours of Holi, you are challenged to understand yourself better through movement rhythm and music. Explore some form of dance and discover new facets of yourself.

Steps to increase everyday happiness

• Do the crossword as you age • Take up a course of study that will improve your work skills: may be computer literacy • Eat a piece of dark chocolate 4 times a week. • Have at least four interesting, intimate conversations with family and friends every day. • Spend at least two hours outdoors. • Participate in at least one group activity. • Have a good belly laugh. • Forgive and forget and what you cannot forgive, forget. • Find a meaningful job to do, even if unpaid. • Live in the present and enjoy it.

World Kindness Day

The world kindness movement began incorporating NGO’s on November 13th 1988. The actions on this day make everyone feel that kindness is cool. Young, trendy people, caring adults, celebrities participate to make kindness so viral. Corporates who participate in my year long Innovation Initiatives have a Make Things Better (MTB) Board in the front office. Anyone can post a note which says ‘You made things better by ………………, about a team member’. The person who gets the maximum MTB notes, is recognized, as also the person who posts the most MTBs. Kindness, generosity and co-operation can spread faster than violence or hatred. A study conducted by San Diego and Harvard Universities provide laboratory evidence that co-operative behavior is contagious. When the people benefit from kindness, they “pay it forward” by helping others who were not originally involved, and this creates a cascade of collaboration that influences dozens more in a social network. Research and Shakespeare have both shown that kindness benefits both giver and the receiver, filling the blood stream with neurotransmitters of relaxation and contentment. Serotonin and endorphins elevate the mood. Doctors have to do less when people are kind and content. Friedrich Nietzsche wrote about the ‘most curative herbs and agents’ of gentleness and kindness is ensuring health and well being. So on World Kindness Day, start a daily, lifelong habit of kindness. Let’s start to: 1. Hug all the loved ones in your life who rarely get a hug – your parents and grandparents. 2. Write love letters to them recording how you feel, before it is too late! 3. In Singapore, they gave away 45,000 yellow flowers last year. 4. Canada had a Kindness Concert. 5. Put out grains and water for birds to feed. 6. Adopt a elder who has no visitors and cheer up that elder by visiting him once a week or fortnightly or monthly – whichever is feasible. As the Dalai Lama said, “My religion is simple. My religion is kindness.” Send this to all your friends. Let’s go viral with this.

Build your Cultural Capital

Culture is to human beings what the purity of water is to a fish. It defines the quality of life, its beauty and ease. Culture is of course, undergoing change as tradition collides with fashion. It was Gandhiji who said “I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all the lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any.” Cultural vitality ensures that you have strong roots that bind you to the living earth of tradition, while allowing the winds, birds, rain and storms of change to transform you. • Act. For instance wearing of the beautiful saree is becoming rare. There is a Chennai based movement urging women to wear sarees 100 times a year! This would support all the weavers and artisans connected with this unique 6 yards of beautiful material. Use things in the kitchen from your grandmother’s time. Jewellery: pass it down through the generations. • Document old customs, photographs and record digitally, old furniture, artifacts, pictures. Circulate family jokes, stories, recipes and interviews digitally and harvest worldwide inputs. • Learn and discuss religious and spiritual traditions. Look at the meaning of sacred texts and ceremonies, rather than just accept without understanding them. • The Maoris have created ‘language nests’ to help their young to learn their distinctive mother tongue. Indians in the US have ‘Sunday school’ to teach Hinduism to their kids. Some languages like mine, Tulu, have no script. They need to be spoken. Record it on tape; see if people can learn it digitally. • Preserve old customs. • Get together to record cook and eat old world food from your family’s past during Diwali or Pongal • Spend time with members of your community on a regular basis. Events can be in your city, nationwide or even worldwide. Being part of building cultural vitality can make you more participative and build your precious social capital.

Children’s Day

Children’s day is celebrated in India on November 14th, Jawaharlal Nehru’s birthday. It is a day to celebrate the child. Children are the family’s greatest wealth and asset. Without Santhana Lakshmi (the goddess who bestows happiness in children) there is no joy in the family. The laughter, the mischief and newness children bring into the world is irreplaceable. As the Japanese say, ‘Children bring the ‘Oh!’ into your life’. It is also a day to pledge support for children suffering from abuse, violence, discrimination and death –all avoidable. One child dies every 90 seconds in India - this means 1.7 million children every year. Many children are motherless because women in India have only a 50/50 chance of skilled help during childbirth. A woman dies in childbirth every 10 minutes in our country. The Taj Mahal, the greatest monument to love, was built for Mumtaz Mahal by Shahjahan in Agra. She died at child birth, giving birth to her 14th child. The ‘State of World’s Mothers’ places India 76th on a list which shows the best places to be a mother. We lose more women every week because of this cause, than they lose in Europe, in a whole year. This is the same as having 400 Jumbo Boeing 747 planes crash annually. What is shocking is that one third of child death and 1/5th of the maternal death are caused by lack of nutrition. 153 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 are bonded into child labour. So what can you do to celebrate children’s day: 1. Write a beautiful letter to each of your children about how much you value them in your family 2. Send a gift to their teachers with a letter thanking them for giving them the gift of knowledge 3. Plan a special family outgoing, which they find interesting and exciting. 4. Children are great imitators. Be a person worth imitating. As Magic Johnson said, “All that kids need, is a little help, a little hope and somebody who believes in them”. On this day give some poor child some of these gifts.