Family First

We have a human need to be close, to be intimate, with other human beings. Having good, supportive friendships, a strong marriage or close and loving relationships with our family members will make us much more likely to be happy. I put my family first above everything else in life.

In the book "Blue Zones" by Dan Buettner, he shares 9 ways to add 12 years to your life. He says a thriving family can add upto 6 years. Putting family first is one of the simple method to live happier, healthier and longer.

One simple method I follow is our daily family meeting. My two daughters, my wife and myself sit for a 10-15 minute discussion time(sometimes it may go upto 30minutes also) and we discuss our experiences in life. We share our stories.

Yesterday, we had an amazing discussion started with the Himalayan Tsunami happened few days ago in Uttarkhand - India but slowly landed in the topic of money, economics and types of people based on their income levels.

A sudden realization struck me as I was discussing with them.

Read this facebook update which I posted today

Murali Sundaram3 hours ago

326/Which class do you belong to?

During our family discussion yesterday, we ended up in discussing about different classes of people based on their income levels like lower class, middle class and upper class of people.

My daughter asked me which class we belong to. Suddenly the realization struck me that we do not fulfil any of the criteria and do not fit into any category.

I told her that we belong to “happy” class. Our currency is Happiness. Our main trading commodity is most precious on earth - Breath. We live in the “NOW”.

I told her there are only two class of people - happy class & unhappy class. Unhappy class are not clear about what they want in life, not focussed on their lives, they live for others, they worry what others will think of them, they acquire lots of stuff instead of life experience, they have lots of dreams, but dare not to take action, they will find fault in others, they will blame politicians, governments, neighbours, relatives, friends, colleagues, they live either on past worries or anxieties of future.

So, which class you belong to? Powered by socialditto  13 likes ·  4 comments

Very true...

Just Imagine living like this...

Class: Happy

Currency: Happiness

Commodity: Breath

Place: Here in the NOW, Present moment

Gadget: iBody

Happiness is a choice. When we are happy, our family is happy. 

Read this article on 46 ways of happy living for more insights on happiness and simple methods to live happily.

Class Attendance - 30th Std

Murali Sundaram 2 hours ago

327/ Class Attendance

School Name: Life
Class: 30th Std (All students are above 35 years)

Anger - Present sir
Anxiety - Present sir
Boredom - Present sir
Desires - Present sir (in full volume)
Frustration - Present sir
Monthly EMI - Present sir (in full volume)
Office Tension - Present sir
Sadness - Present sir
Worries - Present sir
Uncertainties - Present sir

Happiness - ??? (no sound)
Happiness - ???
Happiness - Absent sir
Peace of mind - Absent sir
Contentment - Absent sir

Class teacher: In life, there is nothing called sadness. Either Happiness Present or Happiness Absent. Life is very simple to live, but many find it difficult to be simple.

46 ways for Happy Living

Why be happy?

Why Not? Life is short...Be Happy! You will live ten years longer, reduce anger, have less stress and confusion, have better focus, better patience and self control, access greater intelligence, utilize wisdom, experience emotional competence, create inner peace, enhanced relationships, and enjoy your life while enriching others with your happiness.

Being happy can make a positive difference in your life and in the life of others.

225 Studies on the Benefits of Happiness*

Happy People are:

1. Are more productive at work and more creative
2. Make more money and have superior jobs
3. Are better leaders and negotiators
4. Are more likely to marry and to have fulfilling marriages, and less likely to divorce
5. Have more friends and social support
6. Have stronger immune systems, are physically healthier, and even live longer
7. Are more helpful and philanthropic
8. Cope better with stress and trauma

*FROM: Lyubomirsky, S., King, L. A., & Diener, E. (2005). The benefits of frequent positive affect: Does happiness lead to success? Psychological Bulletin, 131, 803-855.

Happiness is a habit, a way of living, for many people like me.

Definition of Happiness

One of the better definitions of happiness is “an inner state of well being which enables you to profit from your highest thoughts, wisdom, intelligence, common sense, emotions, health, and spiritual values in your life. Happiness is an emotional state which is an experience and not a concept.

Happiness means different things to different people. For some, the experience of happiness is one of predominately “high arousal” feelings such as joy and excitement; for others, it involves more “low arousal”, but equally important, emotions such as calm, contentment, peace and tranquility  Ideally, we should experience and enjoy both these forms of positive emotions, but some people tend to the high arousal end of the spectrum (e.g. extroverts) while others (e.g. introverts) might seek out low arousal forms of happiness.

In simple words, Happiness is a subjective well-being.  And all of us know and agree that we want to be happy. I bet, you will ever hear any sane person saying that he/she wants to be unhappy.

Happiness Process is very simple

Become Aware-Notice- Appreciate-being happy about living in this moment.

But the challenge is to get the basic habits which allow us to be happy always, which allow us to be in this continuous state of flow.

46 ways for Happy Living

What are the common traits or habits seen universally

Here is one big list of various actions they undertake. My request to you is to read one by one and don’t be in a hurry.  See how many habits you already possess and what you can add more into your life. 

What Happy People do! They

1.  Set SMARTER goals (specific, measurable, achievable, Realistic, time bound, enjoyable & record).
2.  Review goals on a regular basis (i.e. daily)
3.  Eat well and exercise regularly - Maintain same time
4.  Ensure they get enough sleep and rest
5.  Meditate often and enjoy “wakefulness”
6.  Think optimistically
7.  Build positive relationships
8.  Find ways to utilize their strengths every single day
9.  Set themselves challenges
10. Vary their routines
11. Practice appreciation and gratitude
12. Have fun & enjoy every moment of life
13. Get up early
14. Do less & not over-complicate life
15. Breathe slowly & deeply
16. Practice Patience
17. Practice compassion
18. Find their own passion
19. Are more organized
20. Simplify their finances & life
21. Accept what they have
22. Maintain focus
23. Enjoy their journey towards their goals
24. Create a morning & evening routine
25. Enjoy the simple pleasure of life
26. Write a journal
27. Read and read to their kids
28. Take time to relax & de-stress
29. Live in the present moment - Mindfulness
30. Spend sufficient time with family and loved ones
31. Pick themselves up when they are down
32. Avoid comparisons & judgements
33. Focus on benefits, not difficulties
34. Be romantic
35. Lose arguments
36. Get into the flow
37. Single task and avoid multi-tasking
38. Are economical
39. Start small and slow
40. Prefer outdoors 
41. Savor the little things
42. Help others
43. Give - time, money, emotions, resources etc to others
44. Spend time with nature
45. Notice small things or changes within & outside themselves.
46. Enjoy the miracles of life.

Wow! That’s a pretty exhaustive list.  

Are you a Happy Person? Do you want to be more happy & make others also happy.  Do you want to create habits which can guarantee you life long happiness? 

Adopt some simple actions, start small, go slow, add 10% increments, don't skip a day, celebrate the success and be happy.

This article is an excerpt from one of my books which I am writing now...Launching soon!

How to get MORE out of your life - Mini-Online Video Course

Yes! YOU CAN STILL MAKE 2013 the BEST YEAR for you.

Do you already have a dream or vision for the year 2013?

Or do you want help in designing a vision?

Either way, this mini-online course will provide you the tools and techniques to make the coming year, your best ever.

You can get MORE Success!

You can get MORE Money!

You can get MORE Happiness, Health, Time!

You can get MORE of whatever you truly desire!

This session is rightly designed only for YOU!

Objective of this course:

1.      Learn how to get MORE out of your self
2.      4 ways to change your life - practical tool
3.      Simple & Practical technique to design your next 30 days
4.      3+1 formula for life long success

You need to invest 15 minutes of your precious time to attend this video course. You may also need a pen & paper to take notes and participate the session.


When you are ready, put your headphones/earphones (to avoid distraction) and hit the play button.


Good Luck!

 

How to schedule the first one hour of the day - My personal practice

 

The first one hour of the day determines your day, week, year & life. Here is a simple template I had personally practiced during my earlier part of my life. Good template for beginners.

If you do not have one hour, then accordingly modify the template. You can add or drop and customize according to your lifestyle. There is nothing called right or wrong.

First 10 mins - Physical Energization Exercise (Stretching, Basic Asanas or Surya Namaskar, Skipping, Jogging, Walking in your terrace etc)

Second 10 mins - Breathing Exercises - Deep abdominal breathing, Pranayama etc

Third 10mins - Silence/Meditation/Gratitude

Fourth 10mins - Read a self development book, close the book & note down key points in a journal

Fifth 10 mins - Set goals for the day - for the next 24 hour only

Sixth 10 mins - Close your eyes, mentally rehearse the day, pay your gratitude to your parents, family, friends, colleagues, company & the creator for all that you have right now in your life.

The timeline prescribed is only a guideline. You can modify the time allotment according to your interest levels. Success is guaranteed when you sincere apply this learning in your life.

You also watch this video and share with your friends.

Ready-Steady-Go-Action!