Page 20 - Seniors Today - July 2021 Issue
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those difficult thoughts than suppress that we tend to fall into is retail therapy. We
them. Acknowledging your anxieties is think that by buying something we want,
half the battle won! The second step is we will find happiness. That is a fallacy.
considering the worst-case situation so that So often, once we acquire that object we
you know how bad it can really get. Once were coveting we realise it just brought us
you evaluate the most dire scenario, you only momentary happiness, and soon we
often find that perhaps you were making a are back to being discontented. In truth,
mountain out of a molehill. Most problems what we enjoy are experiences. Having
will drop away in this first step itself. For a conversation with someone, especially
those that remain, by studying the gravity reaching out to people we have not been
of the situation, you will be able to find in touch for long, or helping someone in
solutions for them. We may reach into distress resolve a problem, can be truly
our past experiences and see how we dealt rewarding to the soul.
with such situations and how they were Acts of kindness are the best recipe for
overcome. In either case, you are working happiness. It not only makes you happy,
towards resolving the situation and you but seeing that smile on someone’s
will find that negativity will most definitely face spurs you on to continue to do the
dissipate. same thing over and over again. People
in healthcare find great sustenance in
the service they are rendering, and this
motivates them to continue. They do not
seek material rewards or returns and are
happy helping people, healing people. A
doctor told me the other day, what fills him
with joy and keeps him striving to do more
is so see the smile on his patients’ faces as
they recover and are discharged. “This is
the biggest reward I can ever get.”
Gratitude and kindness
An important aspect of being happy is our
self-talk. Despite all your efforts, if you still
find yourself veering towards negativity,
try cultivating a grateful attitude. This
pandemic has taught me I have so much to
be grateful for. There is one fundamental
belief that works in favour of all those
who have a positive attitude. And that is,
accepting change, knowing ‘this too shall
pass’ believing that everything happens An immense source of happiness is
for the ultimate good’. Another belief that finding our purpose. And this pandemic,
holds me in good stead is ‘doing my best, and our common tragic experiences, have
and letting God take care of the rest’. revealed that our purpose is as much the
As seekers of happiness, one of the traps simple everyday acts of nurturing each
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