We need no accomplishments or physical things to achieve happiness. Happiness can be achieved by doing small things like helping, playing a sport, learning new things, doing new things or we can just be happy without any reason. Although we all know what gives us happiness, we tend to forget practicing them. It would be so nice if someone could remind us what to do, how many times we have done it and how it felt.
In order to help you with this Rajya Anand Sansthan has developed an Anand Calendar. With the help of this calendar we can highlight those activities which make us happy. Actually this calendar has been developed with the thought that we should actively practice staying happy.
For your practice there are 9 themes in Anand Calendar. We have also provided some examples related to them in it. This calendar is an effort to help you practice happiness activities regularly.
Gratitude :
The question is whether the glass is half full or half empty. Our mind remains focused on that which we don’t have. This is the root cause of our unhappiness. Count your blessings. Gratitude will overwhelm if you ever do it in the right earnest.
Sports :
Physical activity is essential for a healthy mind and body. Sports instill the urge to win but at the same time teaches the skill of accepting a defeat graciously. This brings a sense of balance and equanimity in life.
Pause :
We suffer mental exhaustion more often than physical fatigue. Unknown fears, imaginary suspicions, disturbing thoughts, negative emotions keep the mind ceaselessly busy. Pause and look at this situation within. If you will not pause, your mind will continue to manufacture misery.
Giving :
It is in the nature of a tree to provide shade and fruits, Sun to give light, Oceans to make rains, flowers to spread fragrance. Giving comes naturally to them. What do you give to the people and nature around you?
Learning :
New experience and learning will come when activities suggested in this calendar are undertaken. Nevertheless let us learn other new things in this month. It will add zest to life and enhance self-respect.
Relations :
Relationships fulfill human needs, be it social, financial, physical, emotional. But trouble starts when expectations are not met. What was said or done can be forgotten, but people will remember the way you made them feel.
Acceptance :
Acceptance is not a passive act. It implies doing the very best in a given situation. It demands that wholehearted effort be made to bring about the change that you wish to see. At the same time, recognize and accept that which cannot be changed.
Goal :
It is a common belief that competition brings the best in us. But is it really true? In a way, the desire to compete with someone limits your capacity to the potential of that person. Would it not be better that we fix our own goals and then do the very best to achieve them. Competing with our own targets will help realize our full possibilities.
Awareness :
Knowingly or unknowingly we make choices in life. Lack of awareness means that these choices are made mechanically like habitual intoxication. Awareness in not alertness. It is realizing that I am making a choice and I am responsible for its consequences.
Confluence :
So far, we tried doing activities related to chosen themes. These were different tools of happiness. However, Life does not happen in segments. A fulfilling life experience can come through confluence of all these streams of Joy. Please revisit the nine themes and take up activities related to each during this month.