HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL!

That’s a heartfelt wish of happiness to all of you and I truly hope your dreams that are good come true this year.

I’ve just got to be friends again with two people I once went to primary school with – Trey Anthony, a well known Canadian comic who was in the same class with me and her brother, Darren.

It’s been really great to see and hear from them again and as the case with old acquaintances, we’ve got a lot to catch up on.

Looking at the current credit crunch, it’s all too easy to be bleak about the future but making a few changes to your own life can make you happier and more fulfilled. Here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way of my life that I hope can be useful for you.

SHOW GRATITUDE

From people letting you on the bus first – even if you were waiting in line, to another person holding the door for you, showing gratitude can make you happier, energetic and more forgiving – as well as less materialistic.

When your attitude changes, you’ll soon see the change of others for the better.

AVOID OTHER-THINKING AND SOCIAL COMPARISONS

We can’t help but make comparisons with others – I do this when looking at the other students I’m studying with, especially their clothing!

But doing this all the time can also leave you vain and bitter, as there will always be others who are better and worse off than you.

The happiest people take pleasure in other people’s happiness and concern when it’s the other way round.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR SOUL

You don’t have to take a pilgrimage in order to find the sacred in life.

A child’s laugh – I like listening to my niece – eating your favourite meal, or wearing a shirt you like, all do their bit in taking care of your soul – if you can’t live with yourself, who else can accept you?

This also includes seeking genuine purpose and meaning in life, either though pursuing goals that are harmonious and within your reach, such as a course in making money, or working in the arts.

When I went to the theatre to see Emperor Jones with a former typing colleague, I was surprised when she told me it was the first time she had seen live theatre, with exception to pantomime.

We were both glad we attended, as after the show, we ate at the nearby deli. The experience gave us both a sense of meaning to our lives, for which we are both grateful for.

FORGIVENESS

I hope these help you, regardless of whether you are a friend or just surfing the internet, as forgiveness is just as important in having a happier, fulfilling life.

I read about a man’s plight; he was called Walter, in the UK newspaper the Daily Mirror, printed on Thursday 8th January this year. His former wife’s betrayal at running off with another man and leaving him penniless when they divorced nine years ago was really sad.

He simply didn’t trust women anymore and was still very hurt at how his friends clearly knew what his wife was up to but didn’t say a word to him and carried on as if everything was fine – that one, most of us know, is also an act of betrayal and makes the pain worse.

The phrase ‘knifed in the back’ comes to mind but all this does is hold onto the pain and it’s likely you’ll build up a monster in the process. See that person as a whole, rather than just on their offending behaviour.

Granting forgives doesn’t excuse their act but requires you to let go of your hurt, so that you can see and seize new opportunities in life. Remember it’s the other person/s who were inadequate, so you shouldn’t take on their issues or problems.

When Nelson Mandela was asked by President Bill Clinton how he managed to forgive his jailors, Mandela replied: “When I walked out of the gate I knew that if I continued to hate these people, I was still in prison.”

Apologies do help as it reminds us we are all human and shows a willingness to accept our mistakes and displays our humility.

Accept them with the good grace they deserve.

If you don’t well, as the old saying goes, what goes around comes around – don’t be one of those people who realise the true cost of those words the hard way – move on.

Don’t hesitate to view my other internet site for any ideas or feedback:

www.andriagreaves.com


Light and Peace


Andria Greaves