Living a good life means different things to different people. How does one live a fulfilling life? Is it about making charity a daily part of your life, having a friend or companion, reducing envy and nurturing your home... Anuradha Varma finds out the things that make life worth living
Don't envy anyone: Be spontaneous and keep your life uncluttered from feelings of envy. Says filmmaker and columnist, Pritish Nandy, “I have only three simple rules. Fall in love whenever you want to. It’s the surest way to happiness. Never be envious of anyone. Envy is lowly. Try yoga. It never fails you.”
Work on yourself: You are responsible for what you’re thinking and the person you ultimately are. Work on yourself everyday. Focus on the larger picture even as you fulfill your daily responsibilities. Says theatreperson Lushin Dubey, “I try to make each day rich for myself, starting with prayer in the morning and ending with prayer in the evening. I fill the day with what I love most, ie, my work. In between, I fulfill my duties as a mother, wife and daughter because I truly believe that one has to feed one's own 'self'' along with what we owe others. This constitutes a balanced way of living.”
Don't take tension: Get a good night’s sleep. And that takes some effort, ensuring there are no unresolved conflicts or negative situations crowding your mind when you hit the pillow. Recommends former diplomat and author Bhaichand Patel, “Don’t let anything disturb your sleep. Don’t take tension. Walk away from unpleasant situations and people. It’s not worth the hassle. I prefer to stick to people who like me and who I like. If you’re at fault, apologise and move on.”
Learn a skill: Have a goal that fires your imagination and makes you feel alive as you pound away at it. Says author Chetan Bhagat, “It could be learning a skill, getting a qualification, a promotion or your health related goals. Without goals, life becomes directionless and even with all the money and comforts in the world, quite dissatisfying. When the goal is achieved, set a new one. Don't kill yourself over it but keep making efforts to reach it.”
Dance and sing without inhibition: Listen to your inner voice and stay true to yourself. Says writer Shobhaa De, “Trust your judgement, go with your intuition rather than logic sometimes and never compromise on your values and principles.... Dance and sing without inhibition – that’s the best therapy in the world.”
Life is about compassion, surprise and wonderment: Don’t wonder at the purpose of life… feel grateful for the fact that you’re alive. And allow this awareness to enrich every moment of your day. Says Deepak Chopra, “I’ve lived in the constant awareness that my existence is a highly unlikely event. That I exist is a constant source of wonder and surprise. This has made me ever grateful and made love and compassion the most important values of life.”
Accept the bad with dignity: Go slow on expectations from the world around. Don’t sweat the small or big stuff and take ups and downs in your stride. Says artist Akbar Padamsee, “Never plan. When things don’t turn out the way we wished, we get frustrated. Accept a situation for what it is… there is always a reason for it.”
Don’t retire from life: Don’t rest on past laurels. Former diplomat and author Bhaichand Patel remarks, “Even when you retire, don’t retire from life. Don’t wake up at 8 am not knowing what to do with your day.” Dev Anand is an ideal example. When a publicist met the veteran actor and praised his past movies, he retorted that he’s rather focus on his upcoming movies!
Nurture your own garden: Be creatively occupied in making your house a home and keeping close ties with nature. Khushwant Singh in his book Absolute Khushwant recommends, “Rented places can never give you the comfort or security of a home that is yours for keeps. If it has garden space, all the better. Plant your own trees and flowers, see them grow and blossom, and cultivate a sense of kinship with them.”
The gift of giving: Make charity a part of your daily routine by giving leftovers to the needy, fruits to streetkids, etc. Says Sunita Menon, “It’s the basic principle of karma in action, and you get back what you give. The act of charity also makes you feel good and encourages detachment, as you learn to give away material possessions. Start small, by giving away Rs 10 or Rs 100 or dig into your cupboard. Just give!”
(This article was originally published in Times Life, Times of India's Sunday supplement)
Don't envy anyone: Be spontaneous and keep your life uncluttered from feelings of envy. Says filmmaker and columnist, Pritish Nandy, “I have only three simple rules. Fall in love whenever you want to. It’s the surest way to happiness. Never be envious of anyone. Envy is lowly. Try yoga. It never fails you.”
Work on yourself: You are responsible for what you’re thinking and the person you ultimately are. Work on yourself everyday. Focus on the larger picture even as you fulfill your daily responsibilities. Says theatreperson Lushin Dubey, “I try to make each day rich for myself, starting with prayer in the morning and ending with prayer in the evening. I fill the day with what I love most, ie, my work. In between, I fulfill my duties as a mother, wife and daughter because I truly believe that one has to feed one's own 'self'' along with what we owe others. This constitutes a balanced way of living.”
Don't take tension: Get a good night’s sleep. And that takes some effort, ensuring there are no unresolved conflicts or negative situations crowding your mind when you hit the pillow. Recommends former diplomat and author Bhaichand Patel, “Don’t let anything disturb your sleep. Don’t take tension. Walk away from unpleasant situations and people. It’s not worth the hassle. I prefer to stick to people who like me and who I like. If you’re at fault, apologise and move on.”
Learn a skill: Have a goal that fires your imagination and makes you feel alive as you pound away at it. Says author Chetan Bhagat, “It could be learning a skill, getting a qualification, a promotion or your health related goals. Without goals, life becomes directionless and even with all the money and comforts in the world, quite dissatisfying. When the goal is achieved, set a new one. Don't kill yourself over it but keep making efforts to reach it.”
Dance and sing without inhibition: Listen to your inner voice and stay true to yourself. Says writer Shobhaa De, “Trust your judgement, go with your intuition rather than logic sometimes and never compromise on your values and principles.... Dance and sing without inhibition – that’s the best therapy in the world.”
Life is about compassion, surprise and wonderment: Don’t wonder at the purpose of life… feel grateful for the fact that you’re alive. And allow this awareness to enrich every moment of your day. Says Deepak Chopra, “I’ve lived in the constant awareness that my existence is a highly unlikely event. That I exist is a constant source of wonder and surprise. This has made me ever grateful and made love and compassion the most important values of life.”
Accept the bad with dignity: Go slow on expectations from the world around. Don’t sweat the small or big stuff and take ups and downs in your stride. Says artist Akbar Padamsee, “Never plan. When things don’t turn out the way we wished, we get frustrated. Accept a situation for what it is… there is always a reason for it.”
Don’t retire from life: Don’t rest on past laurels. Former diplomat and author Bhaichand Patel remarks, “Even when you retire, don’t retire from life. Don’t wake up at 8 am not knowing what to do with your day.” Dev Anand is an ideal example. When a publicist met the veteran actor and praised his past movies, he retorted that he’s rather focus on his upcoming movies!
Nurture your own garden: Be creatively occupied in making your house a home and keeping close ties with nature. Khushwant Singh in his book Absolute Khushwant recommends, “Rented places can never give you the comfort or security of a home that is yours for keeps. If it has garden space, all the better. Plant your own trees and flowers, see them grow and blossom, and cultivate a sense of kinship with them.”
The gift of giving: Make charity a part of your daily routine by giving leftovers to the needy, fruits to streetkids, etc. Says Sunita Menon, “It’s the basic principle of karma in action, and you get back what you give. The act of charity also makes you feel good and encourages detachment, as you learn to give away material possessions. Start small, by giving away Rs 10 or Rs 100 or dig into your cupboard. Just give!”
(This article was originally published in Times Life, Times of India's Sunday supplement)
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