30 Jul If you aspire to be one thing, make it this…
by Dr Happy (aka Dr Tim Sharp)
I’m often asked about “the secret” to happiness; or the “one” suggestion I’d make to those who want to be happier…
…but I’m always reluctant to answer these questions because there isn’t just one secret or one thing. And even if there were, it would be different for all of us!
That being said, there are a few fundamental principles without which we’ll struggle to life a good life; and with which we’ll significantly increase our chances of health, happiness and success in all ways.
One of these is … being kind.
Albert Schweitzer once said, “Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.”
And Ralph Waldo Emerson has been quoted as noting that “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”
Just imagine a world in which we were all kind to each other; caring and compassionate; tolerant of differences and patient in the face of adversity or challenges.
In some ways, this is the easy part; a more difficult aspect of kindness, for many of us anyway, is self-kindness! Yet as Kristen Neff, one of the world’s leading experts on self-compassion argues, treating ourselves as well as we might treat others brings with it numerous health and wellbeing benefits, along with (to name just a few) higher levels of motivation, perseverance and even will-power.
…So that’s today’s mailing. Take some time to reflect upon the message and how it might apply to you. Check out, also, the links below for some additional readings and resources.
I hope it helps you enjoy some more happiness. Until next time…
Keep well & keep smiling
Tim Sharp (aka Dr Happy)