Good News from the Middle East

A Prescription for Happiness: 5 Rituals to Make Part of Your Routine

Rama Chakaki

In today’s world, millions of companies are marketing happiness; you can get it from buying a car, going on your dream vacation, wearing the latest trends or marrying the man of your dreams. FALSE! It would be nice if happiness came from material objects, or if it came in prescription pills, but it doesn’t. Instead, it is practicing certain rituals that make it a part of every day life.

  1. Practice Being Present – Don’t worry about the next hour or day. Be present in your current activity, be grateful to be experiencing it. Happiness comes from experiencing the moment. Our complicated lives today rob us of the simple pleasure of being present in the moment. We’re caught up planning for the future, always looking ahead; so much so that we neglect to enjoy the present or those who are with us in it. In being available, you slow down the pace and become more aware of the joys of the present moment.
  2. Do Not Compare – Comparison is the thief of joy. There’s a saying: “fools talk about people, average people talk about current affairs, intelligent people talk about ideas”. Nothing but harm can come from comparing oneself to others or talking about what others have or don’t, can or won’t!
  3. Align Your Actions With Intentions – Often times you hear people saying “I’m trying to quit smoking” or “I want to perform but I’m not good enough”. The fact is, “you’re not good enough because you maintain that belief”. If you want health, practice health. If you want to learn something, believe you can, focus on it and get it done. Trying is nothing but an excuse.
  4. Simplify Your Life To The Extreme – Less is more. Our lives get burdened acquiring things we don’t need and holding on to things that don’t serve us. Practice purging the unwanted; daily!  Let go of possessions you don’t use regularly. Let go of grudges. Walk away from relationships that don’t serve you. Abandon negative thoughts you hold about yourself.
  5. Gratitude – Being grateful is a sure way to happiness. The more time you spend counting your blessings, the more of them you will see.

What do you think about these rituals? Can you think of anything else that needs to be added to the list? 

For a great read about happiness and finding joy on a daily basis, check out The Happiness Project: