Khushwant Singh, who passed away but remains a legend in his wisdom, continues to inspire us with his teachings on happiness. While there may be nothing earth-shatteringly original in his insights, considering them as a refresher course can be quite enlightening. After all, having lived a reasonably contented life, Khushwant embodied a level of satisfaction that many aspire to achieve.
In his contemplation of happiness, Khushwant Singh outlined eight valuable clues that can steer us towards a more joyful existence. These essentials, which he put forward for our appraisal, provide a roadmap for finding happiness amid the challenges and complexities of life.
“Happiness is the only good; the place to be happy is here; the time to be happy is now; the way to be happy is to help others.”
-Khushwant Singh
Having lived a reasonably contented life, I was musing over what a person should strive for to achieve happiness. I drew up a list of a few essentials which I put forward for the readers’ appraisal.
1. First and foremost is GOOD HEALTH. If you do not enjoy good health you can never be happy. Any ailment, however trivial, will deduct from your happiness.
Good Health: According to Khushwant, good health is the most fundamental requirement for happiness. He emphasized that even the smallest ailment, if left unchecked, can cast a shadow over our well-being. Taking care of our physical and mental health should be a priority in our pursuit of happiness.
2. Second, A HEALTHY BANK BALANCE. It need not run into crores but should be enough to provide for creature comforts and something to spare for recreation, like eating out, going to the pictures, travelling or going on holidays on the hills or by the sea. Shortage of money can be only demoralizing. Living on credit or borrowing is demeaning and lowers one in one's own eyes.
A Healthy Bank Balance: While money doesn’t guarantee happiness, Khushwant acknowledged the importance of having a healthy bank balance. It’s not about amassing vast wealth but rather having enough to provide for our basic needs and indulge in occasional luxuries – whether it’s dining out, traveling, or going on a well-deserved holiday. Financial stability alleviates the stress and demoralization that can arise from a constant shortage of money.
3. Third, A HOME OF YOUR OWN. Rented premises can never give you the snug feeling of a nest which is yours for keeps that a home provides: if it has a garden space, all the better. Plant your own trees and flowers, see them grow and blossom, cultivate a sense of kinship with them.
A Home of Your Own: Khushwant highlighted the significance of having a place to call our own. Renting a space can never quite replicate the comfort and sense of belonging that comes from owning a home. Moreover, if our abode includes a garden, the joy of planting and nurturing trees and flowers adds an extra layer of contentment and kinship with nature.
Fourth, AN UNDERSTANDING COMPANION, be it your spouse or a friend. If there are too many misunderstandings, they will rob you of your peace of mind. It is better to be divorced than to bicker all the time.
4. An Understanding Companion: Whether it’s a life partner or a close friend, Khushwant emphasized the importance of having an understanding companion by our side. Constant misunderstandings and bickering can quickly erode our peace of mind, making it essential to cultivate relationships built on mutual understanding and respect.
Fifth, LACK OF ENVY towards those who have done better than you in life; risen higher, made more money, or earned more fame. Envy can be very corroding; avoid comparing yourself with others.
Lack of Envy: Envy, as Khushwant aptly observed, is a corrosive emotion that eats away at our happiness. Comparing ourselves to others who may have achieved more in terms of wealth, success, or fame only leads to dissatisfaction. Instead, he advised us to appreciate our own journey, celebrate our accomplishments, and avoid the destructive cycle of envy.
Sixth, DO NOT ALLOW OTHER PEOPLE to descend on you for gup-shup. By the time you get rid of them, you will feel exhausted and poisoned by their gossip-mongering.
6. Avoid Gossip and Intrusion: Protecting our peace of mind became a priority in Khushwant’s pursuit of happiness. He suggested avoiding unnecessary involvement in gossip and idle chit-chat, as they deplete our energy and poison our minds. Surrounding ourselves with positive influences and engaging in meaningful pursuits allow us to focus on what truly matters.
Seventh, CULTIVATE SOME HOBBIES which can bring you a sense of fulfilment, such as gardening, reading, writing, painting, playing or listening to music. Going to clubs or parties to get free drinks or to meet celebrities is criminal waste of time.
Cultivate Fulfilling Hobbies: Khushwant advocated for the cultivation of hobbies that bring a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Whether it’s tending to a garden, immersing oneself in literature, expressing creativity through writing or painting, or finding solace in music, engaging in activities that ignite passion can significantly contribute to our overall happiness. Superficial pursuits and seeking validation from external sources, on the other hand, offer little true fulfillment.
Eighth, every morning and evening, devote 15 minutes to INTROSPECTION. In the morning, 10 minutes should be spent on stilling the mind and then five in listing things you have to do that day. In the evening, five minutes to still the mind again, and ten to go over what you had undertaken to do.
8. Introspection and Mindfulness: Khushwant proposed a daily practice of introspection and mindfulness. By dedicating a few minutes each morning and evening to stilling the mind, reflecting on goals, and listing tasks, we maintain clarity, focus, and a sense of purpose in our lives. This practice offers a framework for personal growth, as we review progress and reaffirm commitments to ourselves.
RICHNESS is not Earning More, Spending More Or Saving More, but ... "RICHNESS IS WHEN YOU NEED NO MORE"
As we conclude this journey through Khushwant Singh’s profound insights, let us remember that true richness does not lie in the amassing of material possessions or the relentless pursuit of worldly desires. Rather, richness manifests when we reach a stage where our needs are fulfilled, and we yearn for nothing more By embracing and incorporating these eight guiding clues into our lives, we inch closer to unlocking the genuine and attainable state of being called happiness.
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