Page 36 - Intra Muros October 2021
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TODAY’S CHILD
        TOD A Y ’S CHILD




























                            DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY


                                                      By Dr Ilse Ruane


           et’s face it, we all have those days when   changing your attitude and understanding   more  on  the  betterment  of  yourself  as  a
           we do not feel happy. Circumstances and   that  you  are  in  full  control,  and  fully   person, you start working towards creating a
       Lcertain events in our lives can change how   capable of changing your situation.  happier  space  around  you.  A  happier  space
        we view events and people, but the outcome                                around  you  attracts  like-minded  happier
        of whether you are happy or not depends on   3.  Create a plan to reach happiness  people,  and  tends  to  not  allow  negative
        you. The power of choice is one of the most      When  you  know  why  you  are  unhappy   and destructive thinking (and people in that
        extraordinary things that human beings have.   and  have  a  positive  attitude,  you  are  in   space).
        We have the choice of whether to be happy   a better position to start to devise a plan
        or sad. This is a choice we get to make every   to achieve happiness. This is where many   Working  on  improving  ourselves  in  relation
        single minute of every day.            people  hit  a  mental  roadblock  and  self-  to others, affords the opportunity to develop
                                               doubt  enters  their  minds.  Excuses  are   more  realistic  views  and  expectations  of
        Let’s take a look at some points that could   made  to  justify  remaining  unhappy.  If   ourselves.  It  also  allows  us  to  develop  a
        assist you in becoming happier.        you  are  serious  about  being  happy,  you   healthy self-esteem  which in  turn allows us
                                               need  to  push  all  self-doubt  out  of  your   to succeed in life. Those with low self-esteem
        Four step plan of action               mind  and  commit  to  developing  a  plan   find  it  exceedingly  difficult  to  be  successful,
        If  you  are  unhappy,  you  have  two  options;   to become happy. Determine what your   as well as finding it difficult to create healthy
        complaining about it or changing it.   ultimate goal is and take the steps you will   relationships  with  others.  Those  who  are
        Follow  this  easy  four  step  plan  of  action  to   need to reach it.   successful,  tend  to  be  happier  in  addition
        start taking back your happiness.                                         to  having  higher  self-esteem  and  valuing
                                             4.  Take action and do not look back  themselves as people.
        1.  Determine why you are unhappy       With  your  plan  outlined,  it  is  time  to
           There could be several reasons that you   move forward and not look back. Simply   Have a few close relationships and be
           are  unhappy,  you  could  be  working  a   taking  action  doesn’t  guarantee  results.   proactive in these?
           job  that  you  do  not  like,  working  with   Your journey to happiness could include   Relationships  are  the  most  important  thing
           people you don’t enjoy being around or   mistakes, rejection and disappointment.   when  it  comes  to  overall  life  satisfaction,
           having a fight with a friend. There could   But if you do not take action, there is only   at least for most people. There is not much
           be many different reasons, and it’s up to   one guarantee, and that is your situation   evidence in research suggesting more friends
           you to identify them. Whatever they are...   will  never  improve  and  you  will  remain   equal  happier  people,  perhaps  because
           know that you are not going to find true   unhappy.                    the quality of the people in your life matters
           happiness  until  you  single  out  what  the                          the most. Maintaining a small circle of close
           problem is.                       Happiness is not going to happen overnight.   friends  has  been  shown  to  make  people
                                             You  need  to  continue  to  push  forward,   happier. It is also important to remember that
        2.  Change your attitude             regardless of how difficult it may appear.  there are new friends to be made throughout
           Negative  thoughts  breed  negativity  and                             our  lives  so  do  not  close  yourself  off  from
           unhappiness,  while  positive  thoughts,   Think of yourself less frequently  new  friends  and  experiences.  This  applies
           conversely,   breed   positivity   and   Exercise  humility...  humility  is  not  thinking   to  all  relationships,  but  especially  with  your
           happiness. When it comes down to it we   less of yourself but thinking of yourself less. In   significant  other.  All  relationships  tend  to
           are all responsible for our own happiness.   other words, do not think less of yourself as a   decline  over  time,  especially  when  you  let
           The  only  way  you  will  be  happy  is  by   person, but think of yourself less. By focusing   your relationship go into autopilot.


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