Make Time for Happiness
We live in a world of convenience. Today, for those who can afford it, life is no longer a struggle where material goods and comforts are concerned. But are we happy?
Everywhere one turns one can see how dramatically life has changed in our country. From barely having a choice, today we are spoilt for choice. Be it luxury cars, air-conditioners, washing machines, branded jeans, designer clothes, smartphones…almost everything is there for the asking. Now we can be reached even if we are in some little remote town or village, thanks to the roaming facilities on offer. With the Internet, we can connect with friends, family and colleagues in distant countries at dirt-cheap rates.
But, haven’t we paid a heavy price for all these material goodies and conveniences? Has the quality of our lives improved? If one looks around, stress-related diseases are on the rise, diabetes and heart problems are striking people who are in their thirties, drug addiction and alcoholism is on the rise, the divorce rates in our country are rising. One coveted item that most people seem to lack is peace of mind.
Undoubtedly, salaries have risen exponentially over the past few years. But attached to those high salaries is a fairly high price. Long working hours, high levels of competition, non-stop traveling, worries about losing one’s job, stress and trauma are like a package deal that come with most high-paying jobs. One ends up sacrificing time with the family. Hobbies and simple pleasures are all but forgotten in the endless rat race. A typical day sees one jump out of bed, grab a bite if one has the time, rush off to work, face stress, return home exhausted and tired only to find the kids asleep. Many people even end up working on weekends, thereby barely getting to spend quality time with the family. The only friends one gets to see in this scenario are one’s colleagues from office.
The mobile phone is a great example of paradoxically being a blessing and a boon. While the advantages are many, it also means that you are on call all the time. You may be relaxing at a restaurant but someone from your office can intrude into your private time anytime, anywhere.
While quitting your job or not going to college is not an option, we need to take time to make our lives meaningful, to engage with our family and friends and do things that we love. Sometimes, you need to stop and smell the roses. There was a time when I was whole-heartedly into the rat race.
If you do feel that your personal life is spinning out of control, take some steps to improve it. If you are spending sixteen hours a day at your workplace and you are unhappy, that means you are unhappy majority of the time. Here are some simple tips that could help you to make your life richer and more meaningful.
- Organize your work schedule so that you can leave work at a reasonable time. If necessary, talk to your superiors about it
- Develop a hobby – it could be painting, singing, playing the piano. A hobby grounds you in many ways, gives you creative satisfaction and a sense of achievement.
- Make sure to spend quality time with your family and friends.
- If you can’t take long vacations, jazz of somewhere for a weekend or even four days. You will feel refreshed and rejuvenated.
- Get in touch with your spiritual side. It could be visiting a place of worship once a week, meditation or yoga. It gives you peace of mind, especially when you are feeling down. Spirituality gives you the strength to focus and deal with any problems on hand.
- If you hate your line of work or find it too stressful, look for alternatives. Follow your dreams. Yes, it is risky, but with hard work and persistence, it can and will become a reality. Take the plunge!
So, take time off to enjoy life. It’s rich in all its myriad hues and has so much to offer. Work hard but play equally hard. And relax – we all need to unwind!
