According to Chanakya, the company a person keeps shapes his or her life. The right people uplift us, while the wrong ones drag us down. Hence Chanakya strongly advised distancing oneself from people who corrupt our mind, weaken our discipline, or obstruct our dreams. Following are the seven types of people Chanakya urged us to avoid and how breaking ties with them can open the door to peace, success, and fulfillment.

1) The Deceitful and Dishonest People

Chanakya’s first piece of advice is to avoid people who are deceitful and dishonest.

Reason: Such people may appear friendly on the surface but harbor ill intentions behind our back. They may flatter us in person but criticize or betray us when it benefits them. Their words cannot be trusted, and their loyalty is always questionable.

Impact on Life: Living or working with dishonest people fills our lives with insecurity and stress. They can manipulate our emotions, waste our time, and eventually cause irreparable harm to our trust and self-confidence.

Lesson: It is far better to associate with someone who speaks the harsh truth than with someone who comforts us with lies. Honesty may sting temporarily, but deception leaves permanent scars.

2) The Lazy and Irresponsible

Chanakya warned against the company of the lazy and the irresponsible.

Reason: Laziness is a silent poison. Those who avoid hard work and responsibility never progress in life, and worse, they pull others down with them. They waste time, lack discipline, and discourage others from putting in effort.

Impact on Life: If we surround ourselves with such individuals, their habits eventually will influence ours. Our drive to work hard weakens, and our ambition slowly fades. What could have been a thriving future turns into mediocrity.

Lesson: We need to seek out the company of hardworking and disciplined people. Their presence will inspire us to stay focused, consistent, and determined on our path to success.

3) The Betrayers and Untrustworthy

One of Chanakya’s strongest warnings is against betrayal.

Reason: Betrayers are those who pretend to be friends in times of comfort but abandon us in times of crisis. They may use us for their advantage and vanish the moment adversity strikes.

Impact on Life: Relying on such people leads to deep disappointment and isolation. Betrayal not only destroys relationships but also erodes our faith in humanity, leaving us emotionally drained and hesitant to trust again.

Lesson: A true friend is one who stands by our side in both sunshine and storm. We need to choose companions who prove their loyalty in tough times, for they are our real wealth in life.

4) Negative Thinkers

Chanakya made it clear to avoid pessimistic and negative people.

Reason: Negative thinkers see problems in every solution and obstacles in every opportunity. Their constant criticism and fear- driven mindset create an environment of hopelessness.

Impact on Life: Being around such people drains our energy and confidence. Over time, we may start doubting our own abilities and lose faith in our goals. Their negativity becomes contagious.

Lesson: We need to surround ourselves with optimistic people who radiate encouragement and hope. Their positive energy will uplift us, fuel our creativity, and give us the courage to chase our dreams.

5) Greedy and Self-Centered

Greed, according to Chanakya, is one of the most destructive human traits.

Reason: Greedy and selfish people view relationships as transactions. They remain with us only as long as they benefit from us, and once the profit ends, so does the relationship.

Impact on Life: Associating with selfish people leaves us emotionally drained and used. They may exploit our time, money, and emotions while giving nothing in return. True affection and loyalty are absent in such bonds.

Lesson: Value those who love you unconditionally and stand with you without expecting anything in return. Selflessness is rare but priceless — cherish it wherever you find it.

6) The Addicts and Immoral

Chanakya specifically advised against keeping company with those who indulge in vices and addictions.

Reason: Whether it is alcohol, gambling, narcotics, or other destructive habits, addicts not only ruin their own lives but also negatively influence those around them. They lack discipline, responsibility, and moral grounding.

Impact on Life: Living with such people risks dragging us into their destructive patterns. Addiction creates financial loss, emotional suffering, and social disgrace — not just for the addict but also for their close companions.

Lesson: Align yourself with those who live with discipline, values, and a sense of responsibility. Good habits are as contagious as bad ones — choose wisely.

7) The Arrogant and Ego-Driven

Finally, Chanakya warned against arrogant individuals.

Reason: Ego blinds people to reality. The arrogant believe they are superior to all, dismissing others’ opinions and disrespecting emotions. They create an environment of hostility and comparison.

Impact on Life: Associating with arrogant people damages our self-respect. They will rarely appreciate our worth, constantly belittle us, and drain our emotional strength.

Lesson: Choose humility over arrogance. Being with humble, compassionate individuals enriches our character, builds mutual respect, and reminds us that greatness lies in service, not pride.

Chanakya Niti teaches us a timeless truth: the company we keep shapes our destiny. By breaking ties with deceitful, lazy, untrustworthy, negative, greedy, arrogant people and those with addictions, we safeguard our peace of mind and accelerate our path to success.

Life is too short and toxic relationships make it disgusting. Choose wisely because your companions influence your thoughts, your habits, and your future.

“The company you keep determines the future you create.”
— Chanakya

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Generally, people have a misunderstanding about spirituality. Most people think that to pursue spirituality, we need to renounce worldly life and be in isolation or in a secluded place. That is not true. In fact, spirituality can’t be separated from our
worldly life.

When we entertain good, positive thoughts in our intellect, we are practicing spirituality. Similarly, when we have good, positive feelings towards everything around us, it is again spirituality. When we speak words that produce positive effects and help others, that is also spirituality. When we act for the collective good of all, that is spirituality in action.

Far from being something completely intangible, spirituality can be reached through good practices and making a commitment to reach the essence of who we really are, while continuing with our worldly life and fulfilling our responsibilities and discharging our duties to the best of our abilities. There are many great saints, sages and masters who led a worldly life and discharged their duties towards their family, spouse and children and yet attained the highest in the spiritual field.

Some ways spirituality can improve our lives:

1) Concentration and Focus

Spiritual practices help us focus on realizing our real self, our essential nature. This requires intense concentration on observing our mind. We also need to contemplate the real nature of our essential self.

While pursuing these practices, we practice our ability to focus and concentrate, which leads us to be more productive.

2) Awareness and Insight

While spiritual practices are a journey within, to realize our essential nature, we will also get into the habit of studying situations and people better. We will be more observant of those around us and be more aware of situations that present themselves to us.

3) More Creativity and Ideas

Focusing on our mind and soul will make us burst into creativity and innovative ideas. Artists are inspired to create magnificent art.

Entrepreneurs are inspired to launch new ventures and design new products. Others are inspired to solve old problems in new ways or add value to the world.

4) Synchronicity: Being in tune with our environment

When we feel in tune with the world around us, problems and situations in our lives become “in sync” with us.

We will start noticing coincidences, serendipity and favorable events in our lives. Being spiritually centered feels like the world around us is suddenly working for us and in our favor.

5) Contentment, Peace of mind and Happiness

Spirituality helps us to discriminate between real and unreal, eternal and ephemeral, self and not-self, etc. Then we realize that there is no permanent joy, pleasure or happiness anywhere in the external world. In fact, there is not an iota of joy, pleasure or happiness in the external world. It is only in our imagination!

We come across so many well-off people, who lack nothing and yet are not content, have no peace of mind and are unhappy. What could be the reason? The reason could be that they are seeking happiness in the wrong place.

Instead of seeking happiness in place, time, objects, people, relationships, situations, circumstances, environment, etc., we should be seeking it within. What should matter to us most, above everything else, is contentment, peace of mind and happiness. Spirituality helps us realize that peace of mind is an internal, not external journey. True peace of mind is within us. Our real self is the source of infinite bliss!

When we realize our real self we will always be happy, irrespective of whether the external situations, circumstances,  or environment are conducive or non-conducive. Real happiness is independent of all the external as well as internal factors like health.

We need to discover who we really are, otherwise we will have to depend on other people’s opinions who don’t know their own self!!

Remember, you are too blessed to be stressed.

There is not a shred of evidence to prove that life is serious.

When the Self-knowledge matures and having realized the illusory nature of existence, we will never take anything seriously. Then the entire creation is nothing but an encyclopedia of jokes!!

Live, Love and Laugh a lot.

Life is a Gift, unwrap it.

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1) Eagles fly alone at high altitude and not with sparrows or other small birds. No other bird can get to the height of the eagle.

Eagles fly with Eagles. High achievers keep the company of other high achievers to draw inspiration from. They don’t keep the company of low achievers who are neither ambitious nor are they willing to leave their comfort zone. Their company will also bring us down to their level.

2) Eagles have strong vision. They have the ability to focus on something up to five kilometers away. When an eagle sights its prey, it narrows its focus on it and sets out to get it. No matter the obstacles, the eagle will not move its focus from the prey until it grabs it.

Have a vision and remain focused no matter what the obstacle and you will succeed.

3) Eagles do not eat dead things. They feed only on fresh prey. Vultures eat dead animals.

Be careful with what you feed your eyes and ears with, especially from social media, movies and useless TV programs. Steer clear of outdated and old information. Keep looking for new frontiers to conquer. Keep abreast of the latest development in your field and keep updating and upgrading your knowledge to be ahead of competition. Always do your research well.

4) Eagles love the storm. When clouds gather, the eagles get excited. The eagle uses the storm wind to lift it higher. Once it finds the wind of the storm, the eagle uses the raging storm to lift it above the clouds. This gives the eagle an opportunity to glide and rest its wings. In the meantime, all the other birds hide in the leaves and branches of the trees.

Face your challenges head on knowing that these will make you emerge stronger and better than you were. We can use the storms of life to rise to greater heights. Achievers relish challenges and use them profitably.

5) The Eagle tests before it trusts. When a female eagle meets a male and they want to mate, she flies down to earth with the male pursuing her and she picks a twig. She flies back into the air with the male pursuing her.

Once she has reached an altitude high enough for her, she lets the twig fall and watches it as it falls. The male chases the twig. The faster it falls, the faster he chases it. He has to catch it before it falls to the ground. He then brings it back to the female eagle.

The female eagle grabs the twig and flies to a higher altitude and then drops the twig for the male to chase. This goes on for hours, with the height increasing until the female eagle is assured that the male eagle has mastered the art of catching the twig which shows commitment. Then and only then, will she allow him to mate with her.

Whether in personal life or in professional life and business, one should test the commitment of people intended for partnership.

6) When ready to lay eggs, the female and male eagle find a place very high on a cliff where no predators can reach. The male flies to earth and picks thorns and lays them on the crevice of the cliff, then flies to earth again to collect twigs which it lays in the intended nest. It flies back to earth and picks thorns laying them on top of the twigs. It flies back to earth and picks soft grass to cover the thorns. When this first layering is complete the male eagle runs back to earth and picks more thorns, lays them on the nest; runs back to get grass to put it on top of the thorns, then plucks its feathers to complete the nest. The thorns on the outside of the nest protect it from possible intruders. Both male and female eagles participate in raising the eagle family. She lays the eggs and protects them; he builds the nest and hunts. During the time of training the young ones to fly, the mother eagle throws the eaglets out of the nest. Because they are scared, they jump into the nest again.

Next, she throws them out and then takes off the soft layers of the nest, leaving the thorns bare. When the scared eaglets again jump into the nest, they are pricked by thorns. Shrieking and bleeding, they jump out again this time wondering why the mother and father who love them so much are torturing them. Next, the mother eagle pushes them off the cliff into the air. As they shriek in fear, father eagle flies out and catches them up on his back before they fall and brings them back to the cliff. This goes on for some time until they start flapping their wings. They get excited at this newfound knowledge that they can fly.

The preparation of the nest teaches us to prepare for changes. The preparation for the family teaches us that active participation of both partners leads to success. Being pricked by the thorns tells us that sometimes being too comfortable where we are, may result in not progressing nor learning at all. The thorns of life come to teach us that we need to grow, get out of the nest and live on. One should always be prepared to leave the comfort zone. There is no growth there.

The people who love us do not let us languish in sloth but push us hard to grow and prosper. Even in their seemingly bad actions they have good intentions for us.

7) When an Eagle grows old, its feathers become weak and cannot take it as fast as it should. When it feels weak and about to die, it retires to a place far away in the mountains. While there, it plucks out every feather on its body and breaks its beak and claws against the rocks until it is completely bare, a very bloody and painful process. It stays in this hiding place until it has grown new feathers, beak and claws and then it comes out flying higher than ever before.

We occasionally need to shed off old habits, no matter how difficult, along with things that burden us and tend to pull us down without adding any value to our lives.

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Loneliness and solitude are often confused, yet they represent two fundamentally different experiences of being alone. Loneliness is the painful, emotional state of feeling disconnected, abandoned, or lacking meaningful social connections. Loneliness is not simply being alone; one can feel lonely in a crowd or even in a relationship. It is a “poverty of self” that often stems from a lack of self-acceptance, leading to a need for external validation.

Solitude is the positive, chosen, intentional state of being alone, that is often restorative and peaceful, allowing for self-reflection, creativity and inner  peace. It is a time for introspection, relaxation and to be who we really are with no fear of judgement. Solitude can even help to improve our critical thinking skills, creativity and self-awareness, as well as reduce stress.

Solitude helps to solve the unanswered questions. One becomes more selective and less interested in superficial relations, showing an increasing need for solitude. Solitude provides one with an opportunity to reflect on spiritual matters. A time comes when one starts enjoying one’s solitude.

“I think it is very healthy to spend time alone. You need to know how to be alone and not be defined by another person.” — Oscar Wilde

A breakdown of the differences, why loneliness causes suffering, and how to move toward enjoying solitude.

Suffering Loneliness:

Loneliness (The Pain of Being Alone): It often feels imposed or forced. It is a “deficiency state” where one feels unloved, unseen, or ignored, even in a crowd.

Physical and Mental Impact: Prolonged loneliness can lead to high-stress levels, weakened immunity, depression, anxiety, and a feeling that life is “bleak and pointless”.

The Vicious Cycle: It often leads to a “victim mentality,” where a person waits for others to initiate contact, which reinforces the feeling of abandonment.

The “Bad Company” Problem: As existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre suggested, if you are lonely when you are alone, you are in “bad company” — indicating an uncomfortable or unresolved relationship with oneself.

“Loneliness is the poverty of self: solitude is the richnesss of self.” — May Sarton

Enjoying Solitude:

Solitude (The Glory of being Alone): It is a positive state where we are content with our own company. It is “richness of self” rather than the “poverty of self” found in loneliness. Solitude is actively chosen for restoration and personal growth. It is a skill that can be cultivated, particularly by those with elevated levels of self-awareness and creativity.

Self-Discovery and Growth: Time alone allows us to understand our own identity separate from others.

Creativity and Productivity: Many thinkers and artists, such as Albert Einstein and Nikola Tesla, found that creativity thrives in solitude, free from outside influences.

Reduced Stress: When solitude is chosen rather than forced, it acts as a mental recharge, decreasing stress and burnout.

Transitioning from Loneliness to Solitude:

Moving from suffering loneliness to enjoying solitude involves re-framing our mindset, our relationship with ourselves and adopting specific habits.

Acknowledge: Understand that loneliness is a normal human experience and not a personal failure.

Re-frame the narrative: View alone time as a gift or a “secret” sanctuary, rather than evidence of being unwanted.

Limit social media: Excessive “scrolling” often worsens loneliness by fostering negative comparisons.

Involve in “flow” activities: Engaging in activities that require full absorption — painting, reading, writing, gardening or cooking — that allow us to lose track of time and find fulfillment. It replaces anxious thinking with productive engagement.

Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness you would offer a friend.

Structure your time: A day alone without structure can feel aimless. Set small goals for the day — a walk at ten, a project after lunch — to protect it from becoming overwhelming.

Connect with nature: Small acts like walking in a park can reduce the intensity of isolation by reminding us of our connection to the wider world.

Volunteering: Helping others can provide purpose and a sense of connection, reducing the sting of social isolation.

The Gist: The goal is to reach a point where we feel complete within ourselves, turning solitude into a “lovely surprise” of being not lonely.

Philosophical and Psychological Benefits

Embracing solitude is considered a “psychological skill” that offers unique strengths:

Self-discovery: In spirituality true peace comes from within the mind. Solitude provides the quiet necessary to “hear” our own thoughts clearly.

“If you are never alone, you cannot know yourself.” — Paulo Coelho

Emotional resilience: Learning to be alone without distress builds a sturdy internal foundation, making you less dependent on external validation.

Creativity: Many philosophers and artists throughout history, such as Nietzsche and Thoreau, sought solitude as a “laboratory for the mind” where original ideas could grow.

“Our language has wisely sensed these two sides of man’s being alone. It has created the word ‘loneliness’ to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word “solitude” to express the glory of being alone.” — Paul Tillich

Alone, but not lonely — enjoying solitude!!

The post Suffering Loneliness Versus Enjoying Solitude appeared first on Being Happy.

An elderly widower every morning would go for a walk, pick flowers, and continue to the cemetery to lay them on his late wife’s grave. One day, his young grandson joined him, and after they picked flowers and laid them on the grave, the elderly grandfather said to his grandson: “I wish I had picked and brought her flowers every morning while she was still alive. She would have loved it.”

“Learn from the mistakes of others… you can’t live long enough to make them all yourselves!!” — Chanakya

Nobody wants to end their life with regrets, but unfortunately, we don’t always know which decisions, choices, non-actions or actions we’re doing today will be ones we regret in a few years or decades.

Mistake that we may regret in the future:

1) We let uncertainty paralyze us 

We’ll thank ourselves later in life if we just go with uncertainty — because that’s the only way to move on. Life is unpredictable, and uncertainty can accompany every decision and interaction. To live life to the fullest, we must take calculated risks and trust that we’ll get through them safely. If we let the fear of uncertainty win, then prolonged indecisiveness will cause more harm than calculated risks. If we make a mistake, we’ll learn from it. Have the courage to make decisions despite the risks involved.

2) We waited, over-analyzed, and didn’t act

We waste too much time waiting for the ideal life path to appear before us, but it never shows up, because we forget that our life path is the one we create with our steps and not what lies ahead. It’s easy to be lazy and wait, to just waste another day, but we must decide what we want to achieve for it to happen. Action is the best weapon against fear, which only wants to paralyze us. When you find yourself at a crossroads where you’re over-analyzing the situation and hesitating without making progress, take a deep breath and decide to break the cycle you’ve got stuck in. Choose your next step wisely and take it — even if there are several options, just choose one and follow it to the end. Even if you make a mistake, you’ll learn something essential that will help you in the future.

3) We focused on failures instead of opportunities

We’ve probably already failed at something and even been hurt, but at the same time, we’ve also done things we’re proud of. We took a risk, gained something, failed at something else, and now we’re wiser than we were before. It’s better to live a life full of small failures rather than one full of regrets. We have seen toddlers learn to walk. They wobble and fall time after time, but each fall is a learning process, and they immediately get back on their feet and keep trying. Don’t be afraid of failures. Don’t spend your life thinking about why you didn’t do what you want to do now.

“Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure.” — George E Woodberry

4) We based our self-worth on others’ opinions  

We tend to forget that most people judge us based on their past experiences, principles, and values, with no real understanding of who we are. If you think you are what your friends and enemies say you are, you obviously do not know yourself. What other people think of us is none of our business. We should live according to what we believe is right. Don’t let your neighbors set your standards. Be yourself. Remember that only you can realize who you truly are.

5) We tried to impress others at the expense of what truly matters to us  

In ten years, it won’t matter to us how we dressed today. What will matter is how we lived and what we learned along the way. So, there’s no point in trying to impress others, and instead, it’s better to simply be who you are. The turmoil between our true nature and what we pretend and strive to be is what we call stress or tension. Instead of being a poor imitation, be hundred percent original. Compete with yourself, not with others, and outdo your earlier performance. The desire to excel is exclusive of the fact whether someone else appreciates it or not. 

6) We held on to ideals and missed real opportunities 

We can’t lose what was never ours, and we can’t hold on to what isn’t ours, but we can certainly drive ourselves crazy trying to do so. So, stop holding on to what hurts you and make room for what feels right. Don’t let what’s out of your control interfere with all the things you can control. Say “goodbye” to what doesn’t work for you and welcome what does. For every door that closes, two others open, and there’s no reason to stare longingly at the one that shut, hoping it will open again. Instead, keep moving and never stop, so you can transition to the next chapter of your life, which will lead you to exciting and unexpected places.

7) We played the victim for too long 

If we get used to playing the victim, we will always be treated as one. Life isn’t fair, but that doesn’t mean we should let our past define who we are. Think of experiences you once had that you didn’t think you could get through — yet here you are, you got through them, and you’ll do it again in the future when more challenging times come. Don’t let challenges “crush” you, and don’t let your insecurities push you into a corner — don’t be a victim! Take a small step because the biggest mistake is standing still when you can always do something to move forward. The place where you are right now doesn’t define you, though you might believe it does and even think it’s what you deserve. The truth is that you’re exactly where you need to be, but this isn’t the final stop, just part of the path you’ve been walking for a long time and will continue — this is the path of your life. 

8) We were too busy to appreciate life 

You must work, but have a healthy balance between work, family and social life. Learn to find pleasure in simple things. Among all the advice, this is the most important, because happiness isn’t something that lasts forever. Listen to the birds chirping, watch the sunset in the evening, and enjoy the cool breeze on your face on a summer night. These are small but significant things for your inner happiness. Moments like these will keep you grounded in the present. Be grateful for everything you have right now, because even if it seems insignificant to others — for you, it is priceless. The less time you spend worrying and the more time you devote to what you’re experiencing in the present moment — the more you’ll appreciate each day and regret less about the small moments you wasted on unnecessary thoughts.

9) We didn’t spend enough time with the right people  

If we haven’t reached this stage yet, then the time will come when we’ll prefer to surround ourselves only with people who make us smile for the right reasons. We should spend time with people who help us love who we are and make us feel good. Avoid people who make you unhappy. Never say you’re too busy to make time for the people who genuinely love you. Remember that there’s nothing more meaningful you can give them than your time and attention. Quality time together means listening and opening up to each other, without looking at the watch or waiting for the next item on your schedule.

10) We didn’t openly express our love 

Sadly, we will all lose people we love throughout our lives. No matter how much time we spend with someone who is important to us, we will never feel like we had enough time together in the end, and it’s best not to learn this lesson the hard way. Express your love in every way and every day you have together and say to the people who matter to you what they need to hear from you. Don’t feel ashamed just because it makes you uncomfortable — you’ll regret much more not taking the opportunities you had to do so. They may not always understand us perfectly because not all of us can express our love exactly as we feel it in our hearts, but we should still try as much as we can to say what’s important to us. If there’s someone you appreciate, tell them today, and if there’s anything else that’s important for you to say — don’t keep it inside. Our heart will remain broken with every word we’ve trapped inside. 

The bitterest tears are shed on the grave for deeds that were left undone and the words that were unsaid.

The post Mistakes We All Regret Making appeared first on Being Happy.

“Knowledge is often mistaken for intelligence. This is like mistaking a cup of milk for a cow.” — Unknown

“If a little knowledge is dangerous, where is the man who has so much as to be out of danger?” — Thomas Henry Huxley

“Imagination is more important than knowledge, for knowledge is limited while imagination embraces the entire world.” — Albert Einstein

“Knowledge may give weight, but accomplishments give lustre, and many more people see than weigh.” — Earl of Chesterfield

“Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of truth and knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.” — Albert Einstein

“Every man gets a narrower and narrower field of knowledge in which he must be an expert to compete with other people. The specialist knows more and more about less and less and finally knows everything about nothing.” — Konrad Lorenz

“The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.” — William James

“I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.” — Abraham Lincoln

“Common sense in an uncommon degree is wisdom.”

“Be wiser than other people, if you can, but do not tell them so.” — Lord Chesterfield

The difference between the intelligent and the wise: the intelligent learn from their mistakes, and the wise learn from others’ mistakes. We cannot live long enough to commit all the mistakes ourselves to learn from.

“Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.” — William Butler Yeats

“If you want to be wise,
Learn to question reasonably,
to listen carefully,
to respond calmly,
and to shut up when you have nothing to say.”

“I only know that I know nothing.” — Socrates

“I know” is knowledge. “I know that I don’t know” is wisdom.”

“Know thyself.” — Linnaeus

Self-knowledge is the supreme knowledge, and the greatest wisdom is in realizing it.

“We are all either fools or undiscovered geniuses.” — Bonnie Lin

“Only two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.” — Albert Einstein

“Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of stupidity.” — Frank Leahy

“Build a system that even a fool can use and only a fool will want to use it.” — George Bernard Shaw

“The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wise people are so full of doubts.” — Bertrand Russell

“Men of lofty genius when they are doing the least work are most active.” — Leonardo da Vinci

“There's a fine line between genius and insanity.” — Oscar Levant

“But the fact that some geniuses were laughed at, does not imply that all who are laughed at are geniuses. They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.” — Carl Sagan

“In the republic of mediocrity, genius is dangerous.” — Robert G. Ingersoll

“When a true genius appears in the world you may know him by this sign: that all the dunces are in confederacy against him.” — Johnathan Swift

The post On Knowledge and Wisdom, Fools and Geniuses… appeared first on Being Happy.

Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of us. If someone wants you in their life, they will make room for you. You should not have to fight for a spot. Never, ever insist on yourself to someone who continuously overlooks your worth. Remember, it’s not the people that stand by your side when you’re at your best, but the ones who stand beside you when you’re at your worst that are your true friends.

Don’t let negative and toxic people rent space in your head. Raise the rent and kick them out.

2) Avoid putting your own needs on the back burner

The most painful thing is losing yourself in loving someone too much and forgetting that you are special too. Yes, help others; but help yourself too. If there was ever a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, that moment is now.

3) Don’t let others bring you down to their level

Refuse to lower your standards to accommodate those who refuse to raise theirs. Don’t let others set your standard. Instead of being a poor imitation, be hundred percent original. Be yourself.

4) Don’t waste time explaining yourself to others

Your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe it anyway. Just do what you know in your heart is right, what keeps your conscience clear.

5) Avoid running away from problems

Face them head on. It won’t be easy. There is no person in the world capable of flawlessly handling every punch thrown at them. We aren’t supposed to be able to instantly solve problems. That’s not how we’re made. In fact, we’re made to get upset, sad, hurt, stumble and fall. Because that’s the whole purpose of living — to face problems, learn, adapt, and solve them over the course of time. This is what ultimately molds us into the person we become.

Remember, no matter what your tests are, you are not too weak to fight.

6) Avoid being idle

Don’t think too much or you’ll create a problem that wasn’t even there in the first place. Evaluate situations and take decisive action. You cannot change what you refuse to confront. Making progress involves risk. You can’t make it to second base with your foot on the first.

7) Avoid thinking you’re not ready

Nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises. Because most great opportunities in life force us to grow beyond our comfort zones, which means we won’t feel totally comfortable at first. But we are resilient enough to adapt quickly to new realities.

8) Don’t follow the path of least resistance

Life is not easy, especially when you plan to achieve something worthwhile. Don’t take the easy way out. Do something extraordinary.

9) Avoid doing the same things repeatedly without taking a break

The time to take a deep breath is when you don’t have time for it. If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting. Sometimes you need to distance yourself to see things clearly. To get a different and a better result you need to do it differently.

10) Don’t be scared to commit mistakes

Doing something and getting it wrong is at least ten times more productive than doing nothing. Every success has a trail of failures behind it, and every failure eventually leads towards success. You end up regretting the things you did not do far more than the things you did.

11) Avoid berating yourself for old mistakes

We may love the wrong person and cry about the wrong things, but no matter how things go wrong, one thing is for sure, mistakes help us find the person and things that are right for us. We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past. But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here now with the power to shape your day and your future. Everything that has ever happened in your life is preparing you for a moment that is yet to come.

12) Avoid complaining and feeling sorry for yourself

Life’s curveballs are thrown for a reason — to shift your path in a direction that is meant for you. You may not see or understand everything the moment it happens, and it may be tough. But reflect back on those negative curveballs thrown at you in the past. You’ll often see that eventually they led you to a better place, person, state of mind, or situation. So, smile! Let everyone know that today you are a lot stronger than you were yesterday, and you will be.

13) Don’t blame others for your troubles

Everybody’s life is shaped by his destiny, which has now become his reality. We have only ourselves to blame for all the problems and sorrows that come in our lives which are the result of our own past karma. The extent to which you can achieve your dreams depends on the extent to which you take responsibility for your life. When you blame others for what you’re going through, you deny responsibility — you give others power over that part of your life.

14) Avoid lying to yourself

You can lie to anyone else in the world, but you can’t lie to yourself. Our lives improve only when we take chances, and the first and the most difficult chance we can take is to be honest with ourselves.

15) Avoid trying to be someone you’re not

One of the greatest challenges in life is being ourselves in a world that’s trying to make us like everyone else. Someone will always be prettier, smarter or younger, but they will never be you. Don’t change so people will like you. Be yourself and the right people will love the real you.

16) Don’t try to compete with others

Don’t worry about what others are doing better than you. Each and every one of us has different physical, mental and intellectual capacities and capabilities. Concentrate on beating your own records every day. Every time you perform try to outdo your own earlier performance.

Success is a battle between you and yourself only.

17) Avoid trying to make things perfect

The real world doesn’t reward perfectionists; it rewards people who get things done.

18) Don’t act like everything is fine if it isn’t

It’s okay to fall apart for a little while. You don’t always have to pretend to be strong, and there is no need to constantly prove that everything is going well. You shouldn’t be concerned with what other people are thinking either — cry if you need to — it’s healthy to shed tears. The sooner you do, the sooner you will be able to smile again.

19) Avoid worrying

“Worrying is like paying interest when it is not due. Worrying does not solve tomorrow’s troubles; it takes away today’s peace.”

20) Avoid rejecting new relationships just because old ones didn’t work

In life you’ll realize that there is a purpose for everyone you meet. Some will assess you, some will use you and some will teach you. But most importantly, some will bring out the best in you.

21) Avoid getting involved in relationships for wrong reasons

Relationships must be chosen wisely. It’s better to be alone than to be in bad company. There’s no need to rush. If something is meant to be, it will happen — in the right time, with the right person, and for the best reason. Fall in love when you’re ready, not when you’re lonely.

22) Don’t try to buy happiness

Many of the things we desire are expensive. But the truth is, the things that really satisfy us are totally free — love, laughter and working on our passions.

23) Avoid exclusively looking to others for happiness

No one and nothing in the external world can make you happy. If you’re not happy with who you are on the inside, you won’t be happy in a long-term relationship with anyone else either. You have to create stability in your own life first; you have to discover happiness within you first, before you can share it with someone else.

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Occasionally, in our lives we are faced with a situation where problems, struggles and hardships seem to fill our day, overwhelm us and everything feels bleak and hopeless. It is during such times that it is important to remember these undeniable truths:

1) Pain and suffering help us grow

What doesn’t kill us can make us stronger. The old saying encapsulates this truth. Accept the hardship, explore the pain, and once the waves of sadness die down, you will be given a new lease on life. Even pain can be a wonderful teacher. Remember no matter what our tests are, we are not too weak to fight. God will not burden us with suffering more than we are able to bear.

“It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” — Lena Horne

Whenever we get “pains” in our lives, we should just think about the full form of PAINS — Positive Attitude In Negative Situation!

2) Fears are an illusion

FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real. Fears arise out of our own ignorance about Reality. Fears will only get stronger if we let it. We should always be in control of our fear and should not let it control us back. Fear can serve us, by keeping us alert in dangerous situations, but we must let fear know who’s the boss. 

“As soon as the fear approaches, attack and destroy it.” — Chanakya

3) Nothing lasts forever

The worldly pain, pleasure, troubles, love, relationships, sufferings, joy, success, failure — they are all transitory, temporary or impermanent. Take joy in the good times and accept the bad times, for they, too, shall pass. Any being or thing that is born or created in time is conditioned by time and comes with an expiry date. Therefore, they are subject to change and destruction in time. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time to do its job.  

When life is easy, thank God. When life is tough, trust in God.

4) Struggles are nothing more than steps on the way to success

When pursuing our dreams, there are bound to be struggles, trials and adversities. We must not resent them because they also teach us and we must learn from them. From struggle comes strength. We need to be patient, but we must remember that patience does not mean inaction. Patience means staying on track, and using each struggle as a stepping stone to realizing our dreams. It’s not going to be easy, but it will always be educational.

“Everybody at some point is going to have adversity. I think if we don’t learn from that, then it is just a punishment. But if we use it, then it becomes tuition.” — Dr. Phil McGraw

“A gem is not polished without rubbing, nor a man perfected without trials.”

5) “Good” and “bad” depend on our outlook and perception

Life is a billion shades of gray, some darker, some lighter, but it’s never black or white. We may think that something we are doing is good, but if we end up tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep, it means that our sub-conscious mind doesn’t necessarily agree. People aren’t bad, but they can do bad things. We should always try and understand why the person opposite us is doing what he or she is doing. They are also going through a struggle which we may not be able to see.

6) We should change only that which we can change

Our present is the cumulative experiences of our total past, and we cannot change a single moment of that. We can, however, change our perspective of those experiences. We should look at “bad” experiences from another point of view, and we might realize that they weren’t all that bad to begin with. If we manage to learn something out of our so-called bad experiences, then they are not so bad at all. The cumulative experiences of our total past modified in the present become our future. So, a positive change in our attitude and the quality of our actions in the present will give us a better future. 

7) We should treat ourselves with kindness

Accepting ourselves and knowing we are doing our best is good enough. If we have a tendency of self-deprecation, we should consider how we would feel if someone else told us these things. So, we should be good to ourselves, and we will start to feel a difference. Most importantly we must remember to forgive ourselves.

8) Nothing truly great is instant

If we could have everything we wanted instantly, we would lose our drive to grow and things that don’t grow end up decaying and dying away. Hence, we need to practice patience and enjoy the ride.

9) Remember: Life is an adventure

We should learn to take calculated risks. It will make us more creative and give us more confidence. Even if we fail a couple of times, we should get up and try again and not keep lying down. We need to get out of our comfort zone, and we might discover true happiness…

10) Have humility

Humility can bring the understanding that problems are not as difficult as we perceive them to be. Being overconfident is as bad as being paralyzed with fear — but knowing ourselves, our ability and what it is that we are capable of, will give us a sense of ownership over our accomplishments and yet keep us humble and provide us with clarity.

The most powerful thing in life is our thinking, which has the ability to change any situation.

“If your heart is bright, then even in a dark chamber there is blue sky. If your thoughts are gloomy, even in broad daylight cruel demons appear.” — Hong Zicheng

The post When Situations are Not Conducive, Remember These… appeared first on Being Happy.

1) “An inch of time is worth an inch of gold, but an inch of gold cannot buy an inch of time.”

This proverb emphases the value of time. It also warns against its fleeting nature. An inch of gold is precious, but replaceable. Time, however, can’t be bought back, unlike an “inch of gold”. Every wasted moment is an opportunity lost, forever gone. It urges us to use our time wisely, prioritizing activities that bring value and growth.

2) “Dripping water can pierce a stone.”

This proverb represents perseverance and the belief that even small, continuous efforts may yield big results over time. Just as tiny water droplets may gradually wear down a strong rock, constant effort, no matter how modest, can conquer insurmountable obstacles. It recommends patience and consistent effort to achieve our goals.

3) “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Don’t be intimidated by seemingly insurmountable goals. This proverb reminds us that even the most ambitious dreams can be achieved by chipping away at them bit by bit. Imagine a massive stone wall blocking our path. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, we should just grab a hammer and start chipping away. Each piece removed brings us closer to our goal. This proverb encourages us to break down large goals into manageable steps and celebrate each accomplishment, no matter how small.

4) “What you do not want done to you, do not do to others.”

This encourages us to treat others with the same dignity and kindness that we would like for ourselves. By putting ourselves in another person’s shoes, we gain a deeper understanding of their feelings and needs. This newfound empathy naturally translates to acts of kindness and consideration, ultimately fostering a more peaceful and compassionate society.

5) “Give someone a rose, the fragrance remains in your hand.”

This proverb uses a beautiful metaphor to illustrate the act of giving. It suggests that when we perform acts of kindness and generosity towards others, we not only benefit the recipient, but also experience a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment ourselves. Just like the lingering scent of a rose on our hand after the flower is gone, the proverb encourages us to embrace the joy of giving, knowing that the positive impact extends beyond the immediate act.

6) “When three people walk together, there must be one who can be my teacher.”

Life isn’t a solo expedition; it’s a continuous learning journey. This proverb reminds us that valuable lessons can be learnt from anyone we meet. The entire world and all beings can teach us something. Their unique perspectives, even if seemingly different, can offer fresh insights and broaden our understanding. We need to have an open mind, ready to learn from everyone, regardless of background or perceived knowledge.

7) “A blind man feeling an elephant.”

Imagine blind people coming across an elephant for the first time. Each person touches a different part; the leg feels like a tree trunk, and the trunk like a snake. This proverb reminds us that people can misinterpret a situation when they only understand a small part of it. To truly grasp something, we need to gather diverse perspectives and avoid drawing judgment based on a single piece of information.

8) “A single leaf obscures the eye.”

This proverb warns against limiting our perspective. Imagine a frog living in a well. With only a tiny opening to the sky, the frog can only see a sliver of blue, mistakenly believing it’s the entire world. The proverb highlights the danger of basing our understanding on limited information or personal experience. It encourages us to seek out diverse viewpoints and challenge our assumptions to gain a more complete picture.

9) “Good medicine tastes bitter.”

In China, this proverb is used to describe situations where something unpleasant or difficult is ultimately beneficial. Just as bitter medicine may heal an ailment, facing obstacles and making tough decisions can lead to great long-term benefits. It reminds us that sacrifices and tough experiences are sometimes essential for growth and advancement.

10) “Misfortune and fortune lean against each other, fortune and misfortune lie hidden within each other.”

Life isn’t black and white, as this proverb reminds us. Just like a coin with two sides, good luck can hold hidden challenges, while bad luck might unexpectedly open doors to something better. It’s all about perspective. By acknowledging this duality, we can stay grounded and navigate life’s twists and turns with more resilience.

The pairs of opposites, such as worldly joys and sorrows, happiness and miseries, pleasures and pain, birth and death, etc., are the two sides of the same coin. 

Infinite happiness is our essential nature and is independent of external factors.

The post Ancient Wisdom of China Through its Proverbs appeared first on Being Happy.

1) We don’t meet people by accident. They are meant to cross our path for a reason.

2) Don’t chase people. Be yourself, do your own thing and work hard. The right people, the ones who really belong in your life, will come to you and stay.

3) Never lose yourself while trying to hold on to someone who doesn’t care about losing you. 

4) People were created to be loved and things were created to be used; but the reason there are so many conflicts in the world is because things are being loved and people are being used and abused.

5) Your secret is no longer a secret, as soon as even one person other than you knows it.

6) If you don’t want others to know about a negative act, refrain from doing it in the first place.

7) Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase. 

8) “Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.” — Gail Devers 

9) Always persevere; never give up. Nurture a green tree of hope in your heart. The singing birds will automatically come… 

10) “Never let the things you want make you forget the things you have.” — Unknown

11) It is always good to check occasionally and make sure that you haven’t lost the things that money cannot buy. 

12) We gain an attachment to a thing outside because of our firm belief that the other object is Real. Nobody has yet been found in the entire world who has fallen in love with his own shadow, simply because he knows that the shadow has no reality other than himself. This realization that the external world of objects and beings is as illusory as our shadow removes all fear. 

13) “Fear is the sure cause of degradation and sin. It is fear that brings misery, fear that brings death, fear that breeds evil.” — Swami Vivekananda

14) No one in the world is afraid to speak the truth. Everybody is afraid to face the consequences after the truth is told!

15) “F-E-A-R” has two meanings: 

     a) Forget Everything And Run… 

     b) Face Everything And Rejoice…!

The choice is yours…!!

16) “Sometimes people have to cry out all the tears to make room for a heart full of smiles.” — Unknown  

17) “Smile, it’s the key that fits the lock on everyone’s heart.” — Anthony D’Angelo 

18) “Silence and smile are two powerful tools. Smile is the way to solve many problems, and silence is the way to avoid many problems.” — Iris Johansen

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