HARVARD COURSE “TO BE HAPPIER”

HARVARD COURSE “TO BE HAPPIER”

Did you know that at Harvard, one of the most prestigious universities in the world, the most popular and successful course teaches you how to learn to be happier?

The Positive Psychology class taught by Ben Shahar attracts 1400 students per semester and 20% of Harvard graduates take this elective course. According to Ben Shahar, the class which focuses on happiness, self-esteem and motivation gives students the tools to succeed and face life with more joy. This 45-year-old teacher, considered by some to be "the happiness guru", highlights in his class 14 key tips for improving the quality of our personal status and contributing to a positive life:

Tip 1. Thank God for everything you have: Write down 10 things you have in your life that give you happiness. Focus on the good things!

Tip 2. Practice physical activity: Experts say exercising helps improve mood. 30 minutes of exercise is the best antidote against sadness and stress.

Tip 3. Breakfast: Some people miss breakfast for lack of time or not to get fat. Studies show that breakfast gives you energy, helps you think and perform your activities successfully.

Tip 4. Assertive: Ask what you want and say what you think. Being assertive helps improve your self-esteem. Being left and remaining silent creates sadness and hopelessness.

Tip 5. Spend your money on experiences: A study found that 75% of people felt happier when they invested their money in travel, courses and classes; While only the rest said they felt happier when buying things.

Tip 6. Face your challenges: Studies show that the more you postpone something, the more anxiety and tension you generate. Write short weekly lists of tasks and complete them.

Tip 7. Put everywhere nice memories, phrases and photos of your loved ones: Fill your fridge, your computer, your desk, your room, YOUR LIFE of beautiful memories.

Tip 8. Always greet and be nice to other people: More than 100 inquiries state that just smiling changes the mood.

Tip 9. Wear comfortable shoes: If your feet hurt you, you become moody, says Dr. Keinth Wapner, President of the American Orthopedics Association.

Tip 10. Take care of your posture: Walk straight with your shoulders slightly backwards and the front view helps to maintain a good mood.

Tip 11. Listen to music (Praise God): It is proven that listening to music awakens you to sing, this will make your life happy.

Tip 12. What you eat has an impact on your mood:- Do not skip meals, eat lightly every 3 to 4 hours and keep glucose levels stable.- Avoid excess white flour and sugar.- Eat everything! Healthym- Vary your food.

Tip 13. Take care of yourself and feel attractive: 70% of people say they feel happier when they think they look good.

Tip 14. Fervently believe in God: With him nothing is impossible! 

Tip 15 Develop a good sense of humour: Learn to laugh off matters, specially when things don't go right for you.

Happiness is like a remote control, we lose it every time, we go crazy looking for it and many times without knowing it, we are sitting on top of it ...

Have an unconditionally happy life !

ABOUT HAPPINESS

ABOUT HAPPINESS

Someone would like to accomplish great goals in this life. In order to achieve that, he  studied hard his whole life. Finally he received a doctorate degree. Doctorate, doctorate, doctorate! Before getting the doctorate degree, he  has been so pressured and stressed so that he could not feel relaxed at all. On the day he graduated he is very happy, and goes to the pub with friends to celebrate, and he has a great time! Then afterwards he goes home and has a great night's sleep. 

The next morning he wakes up feeling a bit stressed with some emptiness in his heart. Something seems a bit wrong, and he is feeling a little unhappy, why?? Oh, he figures it out, because he doesn't have a job. So now he needs to find a job. Job, job, job! Finally, he finds a satisfactory job and celebrates. 

After a few days, he begins to feel stressed again. Why? Because he wants to strive for a promotion. He makes an effort and finally, he gets to the position he strives for. He is so happy! But after a few days he is unhappy and feel stressed again. And finally he gets promoted to be President, CEO. Wow! At this moment he is thinking from now on my life will be very happy... But in his heart he feels regretful, not happiness, he is not happy at all. So one day, he is in his fancy office, perhaps on Wall Street, in a skyscraper with a view of Central Park, smoking a cigarette, he is thinking "Why is it that I still don't feel happy?"

Suddenly there's a knock at the door. Who can it be? Normally people are not allowed to come into his office. Who dares to knock! He feels a bit annoyed. He opens the door and it's the Chairman of the Board to deliver a message, " Thank you so much for all you've done for the company all these years!" He is now 75 years old, and is retiring with grey hair. Actually he has had a very successful career but he still doesn't feel completely happy. Why is that?       

Scientists recently did a lot of research on the topic of fulfillment. Everyone has a set of basic boundaries which allows them to feel a fulfillment. Many people assume that money, power, or fame will provide satisfaction and happiness, but scientists behind the research found that these things cannot bring real happiness in the long run. People with good interpersonal skills and relationship fare better, but the most important thing is to achieve fulfillment through inner transformation. In other words, meditation is the most important factor to achieving self fulfillment. Through inner transformation you will have more chances to experience a sense of satisfaction and happiness. That is to say, you will be more happy because true happiness comes from within. So how do you find inner true happiness? It begins with the training of awareness.

(Mingyur Rinpoche)