Day 7 -Tips for Happiness

Action: Intention

I mentioned in a previous tip the magic of intention. Intention is a frame that gives prominence to your desire. Intention is the power that attracts what you desire towards you. The clearer the intention, the higher the chance of you achieving that. Dr. Wayne Dyer wrote a whole book on Power of Intention.

My friend KJ suggests starting each day with your intention statement. “Today I intend to only attract the right people and circumstances in my life.” When you see yourself derailing from your intention, you can remind yourself and get back on track. Make intention statements every day. When you desire something instead of saying I wish, say I intend to. It brings much more power to your desires and increases the chances of it coming true.

Attitude: Live today as there is no guarantee of tomorrow - CM

This thought is again contributed by my patient who has cancer. We do not need to experience a devastating illness in our life to have this attitude. We have all heard the saying, “Tomorrow never comes”. Do what you want to do, today. Life is so unpredictable. It is like a bubble of water. When it will burst, nobody knows. Do the important things in life repeatedly, like saying "I love you", “Thank you”, “I’m sorry” and “goodbye”. These are the four things, identified by hospice patients (patients who are placed in hospice care want to die peacefully as usually they are close to death). They were asked, “What are the things they want to do in their last days?” These were the four things identified by most people.

When people on flights on 9/11 realized that they were going to die this is what they did. They called their loved ones to express their love, appreciation, make apologies, and/or say goodbye.

One of my friends shared the story of her experience that day. She was in a Tony Robbins seminar that day and one of the other attendees, who were directly affected, shared her story. It gave my friend goose bumps. The lady was living with a boyfriend for 3 years. She knew she loved him and wanted to live her life with him, but could not make the commitment. She was on the phone with her boyfriend that morning. He said that if he was alive when she returned from this trip, he wanted them to get married. While the conversation was going on, the phone was disconnected. He was in one of the buildings that were hit by an airplane. He passed away and she never got a chance.

Live today and don’t wait for the end of life. At the end of each day, each week, each month, each year, say I love you, thank you, I’m sorry and goodbye.

Dialogue: Four pillars for equilibrium

This Dialogue is commonly repeated in my office. A patient complains of feeling tired and irritable. When I ask about nutrition, they frequently report they are eating only once a day or emotionally eating all the time. When I ask about exercise, they report lack of motivation and lack of energy to do any. When I ask about sleep, they report disturbed sleep. When I ask about mind- body connection, often they have no idea what I am talking about. That’s when we discuss this.

There are four pillars for equilibrium or balance. Your body needs equilibrium for healing. Good nutrition, good exercise, good sleep and mind- body connection. These are the pillars on which equilibrium depends. When these pillars are taken care of the body is able to use its inner ability to heal and rejuvenate. If they are neglected, there is no medication that can heal the body.

So, take a look at your pillars today. Are you eating a healthy, balanced and regular diet? Are you giving your body regular exercise? Are you giving your body and mind enough rest? Are you keeping a connection between your mind and body by using awareness and mindfulness techniques? If your answer is yes, then you are already on your way to sound emotional well being.

Good Luck and Thank you for your time and attention. I hope you will continue with next month with chapter two.