 by Kishu Gomes
In the modern world, the life is like a roller coaster. It is so fast
and has sudden jerks, ups and downs and even takes you upside down but
you still like to take a ride. Life may never be smooth or hassle free,
yet we all want to live our lives happily. “Why was I born?” or “What
will be my future?” or “Living is a mess - what should I do about it?”
or... “What’s my purpose of living?” or variations of these are
frequently asked questions by the majority of the modern society that do
not have satisfactory answers. But for some, after a lot of hard work
they have attained their heart’s desires; good job, love, wealth,
recognition or anything else and found the satisfaction was not what
they had expected?
That emptiness still exists within? Or may be they are obsessed with
the fear of losing what they have gained?
 Despite the affluence of the Western lifestyle, many Sri Lankans
aren’t happy, and the numbers of unhappy and depressed people are ever
increasing. Seemingly we don’t know how to live our lives the right way
- how to draw contentment, happiness, maybe even a little joy, from our
lives on a daily basis.
I believe so much in human power and in fact will continue to be a
strong advocate of the need to tap into the inner human power to create
greater value for both your employer and yourself.
Fundamental reason why one should work hard to achieve financial
independence is to enjoy life. Idea of writing this is not to make you
complacent but to encourage you to live happily and to achieve the
purpose of living in every aspect of life. Is the loss worth the gain?
Let’s be realistic and honest here - hands up all of you who bounce
out of bed every single morning, raring to get to work and enjoying
yourself every minute of the day?
If you didn’t put your hand up even metaphorically, you’re not alone.
But many leaders try to create this state of mind in employees.
Yes, we find employees who are self motivated and committed to work
but that is not only to make the employer rich but also to achieve
career goals being the foundation for happy living.Every human being’s
wish, in this world, is happiness in life and there are many ways to be
happy.
But when we work too hard or worry too much, we often forget that the
simple things in life are those that make us happy, a call from a loved
one, a smile from a stranger, the sight of a beautiful art, listening to
a nice song, a surprise gift, a tasty meal, a pat on the back, etc.
It doesn’t require that much of an effort to get these simple gifts.
These gifts are available in plenty and for free, but they provide
immeasurable happiness. Add so much meaning to life.
There is nothing wrong in striving at work and in fact that’s the
right thing to do, but people must watch out for signs that they have
begun to work themselves to death. We all have our aspirations in life,
so we work hard but you know that success in the workplace doesn’t
always bring happiness. It’s another art like any other that has to be
learned and mastered.
When this dimension is ignored, you end up sacrificing your family,
your friends, your life to achieve your professional goals, but in the
process you lose yourself. Then you wonder if the loss is worth the
gain.
For sustainability of anything, it’s important to seek balance and
understand the night and day, back and forth and good and bad in all
activities we do.
Making the right choice
If you are not enjoying your job, it is important to figure out why.
If it is due to something that is relatively simple to fix, there is no
need to go through the hassle of upheaving your whole life. However,
there are many cases where the job you’re in is just not suited for you.
If you are truly bored by your job, gather up your resources and
change. Remember though, that you may be taking the same problems with
you, so it might be worth working them out now and getting them fixed
before you make the move. Continue to do a job you hate or working for
the wrong employer is not a wise thing to do.
Train the mind to rely only on inner stimulation
You deserve some time for yourself every day to indulge in your own
world, to do something you love, or even do nothing. You need a little
time as a part of the daily cycle to forget your chores, tasks, work and
even goals to rejuvenate your mind and body. Spend time alone and try to
introspect on your nature, behaviour and character. Love yourself, focus
on your inner and outer beauty to see the same in others.
Stop relying on external aspects to stimulate you and make you happy.
You have pursued money, careers, status, and friends, and you relish
them while you have them. The bad news is that they are not necessarily
permanent. So, don’t treasure other things; just be happy with yourself.
Enriching day-to-day life
 The writer is the Country Chairman, Managing
Director/CEO of Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC and Chevron Ceylon Ltd. |
It’s important that every individual engages him or herself in what
they like to enjoy most. Music is a magic healer. The great thing about
music is that music calms the soul and relaxes your mind. It can help
you cheer up when you are down. Sports are a good remedy to keep away
from bad influences. Not only does sports teach discipline, leadership,
team work, setting and achieving goals and help build character, it also
gets you off the sofa, into an energetic and lively feeling that’s so
important to live a cheerful life.
Connecting with people you love regularly gives you so much happiness
and nature is an amazing healer for the stresses and strains of modern
life. Create a habit of enjoying simple activities you do at home. If
you slow down for just a moment and take the time to appreciate the
ordinary daily activities, life becomes instantly more enjoyable.
The list of things you can do to enjoy life with simple pleasures is
endless and diverse, so will not propose my list to you. I only
attempted to explain the concept; believe me it works!
Priority; what matters most
It’s important to find time for yourself, for your family, for your
friends. Keep in mind that your first priority is your loved ones, and
not your work. I hope each of us will have a smile on our faces when we
reminisce the old times, I hope that everyone finds living exciting and
rewarding for all. It is my wish that we would all find the time to do
the things that really matter most.
One of the keys to success and happiness is being true to the most
important person in your life - YOU. |
