Are you happy?

As I sat in the park after my morning walk, My wife came and slumped next to me. She had completed her 30-minute jog. We chatted for a while. She said she is not happy in life. I looked up at her sheer disbelief since she seemed to have the best of everything in life.
"Why do you think so?" "I don't know. Everyone tells I have everything needed, but I am not happy."Then I questioned myself, am I happy?  "No," was my inner voice reply. Now, that was an eye-opener for me. I began my quest to understand the real cause of my unhappiness, I couldn't find one.

I dug deeper, read articles, spoke to life coaches but nothing made sense. At last my doctor friend gave me the answer which put all my questions and doubts to rest. I implemented those and will say I am a lot happier person.

She said there are four hormones which determine a human's happiness - Endorphins, Dopamine, Serotonin, and Oxytocin. It is important we understand these hormones, as we need all four of them to stay happy.

Let's look at the first hormone the Endorphins. When we exercise, the body releases Endorphins. This hormone helps the body cope with the pain of exercising. We then enjoy exercising because these Endorphins will make us happy. Laughter is another good way of generating Endorphins. We need to spend 30 minutes exercising every day, read or watch funny stuff to get our day's dose of Endorphins.

The second hormone is Dopamine. In our journey of life, we accomplish many little and big tasks, it releases various levels of Dopamine. When we get appreciated for our work at the office or at home, we feel accomplished and good, that is because it releases Dopamine. This also explains why most housewives are unhappy since they rarely get acknowledged or appreciated for their work. Once, we join work, we buy a car, a house, the latest gadgets, a new house so forth. In each instance, it releases Dopamine and we become happy. Now, do we realize why we become happy when we shop?

The third hormone Serotonin is released when we act in a way that benefits others. When we transcend ourselves and give back to others or to nature or to the society, it releases Serotonin. Even, providing useful information on the internet like writing information blogs, answering people's questions on Quora or Facebook groups will generate Serotonin. That is because we will use our precious time to help other people via our answers or articles.

The final hormone is Oxytocin, is released when we become close to other human beings. When we hug our friends or family Oxytocin is released. The "Jhadhoo Ki Jhappi" from Munnabhai does really work. Similarly, when we shake hands or put our arms around someone's shoulders, various amounts of Oxytocin is released.

Now, we can understand why we need to hug a child who has a bad mood.So, it is simple, we have to exercise every day to get Endorphins, we have to accomplish little goals and get Dopamine, we need to be nice to others to get  Serotonin and finally hug our kids, friends, and families to get Oxytocin and we will be happy. When we are happy, we can deal with our challenges and problems better.

I am the 7%

This is something we should all read at least once a week!!!!! Make sure you read to the end!!!!!!

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain b Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote few lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

4. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

5. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

6. Make peace with your past so it won't mess up the present.

7. Don't compare your life to others.  You have no idea what their journey is all about.

8. Take a deep breath every now and then. It calms the mind.

9. 'Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

10. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.

11. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy clothes. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

12. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

13. Forgive others and yourself.

14. What other people think of you is none of your business.

15. Time heals almost everything. Give time a little time.

16. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

17. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

18. Believe in miracles.

19. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

20. Growing old Beats the alternative of dying young.

21. Your children get only one childhood.

22. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

23. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

24. Envy is waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you need.

25. The best is yet to come...

26. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

27. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Its estimated that 93% won't share this. If you are one of the 7% who will, share this with the title '7%'.

I'm in the 7%. Friends are the family and family is best friend that you could  choose.

Its worth reading again & again, as & when you can.😊

I'm in the 7%.

Friends....

Age matters !!!

A group of old friends, all aged about 40, discussed where they should meet for lunch for their reunion.

Finally it was agreed that they would meet at the Ocean View restaurant, because the waitresses there were pretty.

Ten years later, at age 50, the friends once again discussed where they should meet for lunch. Finally it was agreed that they would meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the food was good and the wine selection was excellent.

Ten years later, at age 60, the friends again discussed where they should meet for lunch.

Finally it was agreed that they would meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they could dine in peace and quiet and the restaurant had a beautiful view of the ocean.

Ten years later, at age 70, the friends discussed where they should meet for lunch.

Finally it was agreed that they would meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the restaurant was wheelchair accessible and had an elevator.

Ten years later, at age 80, the friends discussed where they should meet for lunch.
Finally it was agreed that they would meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they had never been there before!

Memory loss !!

Age with grace
ENJOY LIFE.

Got Rejected !!

Got Rejected ? Congratulations !!!

Rejection never means you are not good. You never get rejected in Vacuum, you always get rejected in comparison to a requirement. If a size 10 shoe rejects you, it doesn't mean you should walk barefoot, you try size 9 and it suits you like beauty....

Getting rejected doesn't mean you are not fit at all, it only means you are not fit for that particular situation. May be that is not your thing...May be your thing is different...May be you should try somewhere else, something else, where you fit better...

May be rejection is just course correction to put you where you belong and let you focus on what you can do best.

Celebrate your rejections, channelize your energy and be an Achiever !!

Happy Soul !!!

Following was written at a buddhist monastery in lamayuru, a small hamlet on the way to Leh:-

Who's a "Happy Soul" ?

1. A Happy Soul stops trying to change others, and instead focuses on changing oneself.
2. A Happy Soul is one who accepts people for who they are.
3. A Happy Soul is one who understands that everyone is right from their own perspective.
4. A Happy Soul is one who has learned to "let go".
5. A "Happy Soul is one who is able to drop expectations from every relationship and gives for the sake of giving.
6. A Happy Soul is one who understands that whatever we do, we do for our own peace.
7. A Happy Soul is one who stops proving to the world, how intelligent s/he is.
8. A Happy Soul is one who does not seek approval from others.
9. A Happy Soul is one who stops comparing oneself with others.
10. A Happy Soul is one who is at peace with oneself.
11. A Happy Soul is one who is able to differentiate between "need" and "want" and is able to let go of one's wants.
12. A Happy Soul is one who stops attaching "happiness" to material things.

Here's wishing you the life of a Happy Soul...!