Some Mantras for Finding True Happiness

I am not going to tell you anything new in this week’s article. Yes, I will once again make an attempt to remind all of us to look for as many opportunities as possible to gather happiness at this stage of our lives.

I have highlighted most of these thoughts several times in my earlier articles. All of you are experienced enough to perhaps teach me much more about these subjects. Yet, I have no hesitation in writing about them again and again. After all, some things in life are important not merely to know, but also to remind ourselves of repeatedly.

The first mantra is the same old one—keep your relationships warm and harmonious. Whether they are with friends or family, relationships become perhaps even more valuable as we grow older.

With time, we begin to lose our friends one by one. The elders in our families also gradually leave us. Eventually, it is the relationships that remain that become our greatest support. So, if you are holding a grudge against someone, do not carry it for too long. If there is someone you want to speak to, speak to them today. If you want to thank someone, do it today. And if you owe someone an apology, do not delay that either.

Loneliness is perhaps one of the biggest challenges of the later years of life. Today, professional companionship services are also available. Several start-ups provide people who can spend time with you, have conversations, accompany you on a walk, or even go with you to a temple or a shopping mall. Their services are often charged by the hour.

This is a reflection of the changing needs of society. But there will always be a difference between companionship that money can buy and relationships that come with genuine affection and belonging. That is why we must nurture our relationships while we have the opportunity.

The second important mantra is—accept your changing circumstances.

Every day, we grow a little older. That is simply how life has been created. There is therefore little wisdom in constantly fighting the fact that we are ageing. We cannot remain young forever. But that certainly does not mean that the joy of living has to disappear as we grow older.

With a sensible lifestyle, balanced food, regular exercise and a positive outlook, we can extend our healthy and active years considerably. That is what can truly make our golden years golden.

Talking about lifestyle, regular exercise, yoga and walking should become part of our daily routine. We do not need an elaborate or difficult fitness programme. What matters is to remain physically active according to our age and ability. When we keep the body active, the mind too tends to remain active and cheerful.

Food also deserves special attention. In our younger years, many of us ate whatever appealed to our taste without thinking too much about its consequences. Spicy food, sweets and many other indulgences were enjoyed freely. But as we grow older, the body does not always accept them in the same way.

We now have to give greater importance to health than to taste. Acidity and heartburn have become extremely common, and many people need regular medication for them. Diabetes too has become widespread. Negligence in managing it can eventually affect several organs of the body. Therefore, at this stage of life, moderation is not a punishment; it is the price we pay for a healthier and happier life.

But happiness does not come from good health alone. Keeping ourselves occupied and useful is equally important. Retirement may mean retiring from a job, but it should never mean retiring from life. Choose something that interests you. Read, write, listen to music, garden, travel, join a social organisation or help someone who needs you.

And most importantly, do not make your happiness entirely dependent on others. Your children will have busy lives, friends may not always be available, and circumstances will not always be according to our wishes. We therefore have to learn to find happiness in the little things.

A morning walk, a phone call from an old friend, a cup of tea with family, teaching something to a child, helping someone, or simply going to bed at night with the satisfaction that the day was not wasted—these small moments together create great happiness.

Ultimately, perhaps the greatest mantra for happiness is this: value what you have; do not remain constantly unhappy about what you do not have; and spend the time you have left not in complaints, but in smiles.

We spent the first innings of our lives fulfilling our responsibilities. Now, it is our responsibility to make the second innings not merely longer, but happier, more active and more meaningful.