Happiness Hacks

I just published "Happiness Hacks" of my story "Happiness Hacks". http://my.w.tt/UiNb/OXDGcbOEZD

MarathonForLife

"When passion finds the purpose, your intent manifests realizing your fullest potential."

Back in October, I dedicated my running of the TCS Amsterdam Marathon to all my dear friends around the world who have suffered from severe anxiety, depression and losing hope. I was one of them just a few months prior to Amsterdam and was certainly not in a position, both mentally and physically, to even run five miles, much less 26.2. But, I did it; I finished another marathon.

Call it God's intervention, his blessings, his hands on my shoulders walking with me to supreme awareness through the realization of what matters or maybe it was the blessings of my parents and my loving ones that I crossed the finish line in 5hr 01min dancing, rejoicing and celebrating life. I had improved my time by 38 minutes from the New York City Marathon I had completed a year earlier.

Right after the New York Marathon in November of 2015, I decided I would run Amsterdam in October 2016. But after months of self-doubt, I found myself only 10 weeks away from my second marathon and completely unprepared. I was barely able to run 5 miles without severe heavy breaths. But, that did not deter me. I remembered my goal and rededicated myself to my preparations. With sheer determination, drive, conviction and courage, I meticulously carved out a path for training, which would include a 23 mile run and the Jersey Shore Half Marathon, where I actually shattered my personal best time from two years prior.

Finally I got to Amsterdam and  I ran the marathon of my life. I was full of energy and vigor, and was motivating my fellow runner to find their inner strength to pull through and not give up.

Even though I had already completed a marathon, the second one was much tougher mentally. But, I came out of the entire experience stronger. This time it was not about my physical strength; it was about my growth within. I realized how important it is to do things with passion and with purpose in order to reach my full potential. I was able to gather the necessary strength and rebuild my willpower with the help of my friends, family and my soul buddy Pranav Gandhi. This experience taught be how to remove the anxiety and depression for good.

I've learned that anything is possible for everyone. Just follow your heart, do things with passion, identify purpose behind your actions and go out and realize your full potential. Become like a rock! Flow like a river! Become that exceptional person that you always wanted to be!

Up next… the Stockholm Marathon in September.

Namaste!

The Happiness Project

Who Am I?

Where did I come from?

Where am I going?

Why I am here?

These questions always goes on in our subconscious mind. But just because we are so intertwined in this transaction life that we don't have time to reflect upon it.

There is no quick recipe to know it all and figure out in steps 1, 2 and 3 like the Secret Agent OSO. But YES by following few practices to enlighten ourselves,  you surely can come closer to the self realization. As we know many saints have achieved it ...for example Buddha, Jesus, Mahavir, Sri Sri Ravi Sankar  to name a few.

It is a spiritual journey along with our transactional life which is equally important.

A Sanskrit term used to describe the supreme reality is sat-cit-ananda, which means "existence-knowledge-bliss.

Today I intend to take you through 3 key concepts and practices. This will help you to embark on the journey of self-actualization and transform yourself into positive individual onto path of experiencing bliss 24/7.

Are you ready...Then please tighten your seat belts and flight is ready for a take off.

3 Concepts/Practices:

1. Meditation and Mindfulness
2. Building meaningful and extraordinary relationship
3. Gratefulness

1.       Meditation & Mindfulness (MM) 

It helps in the process of self-realization. It is about living in a moment. Being present 100% in what you do.  Acceptance of things as it is along with accepting your body, sensations, emotions and thoughts.

With meditation and mindfulness (MM), you start realizing your true nature which is loving, caring and joyful. It increases self-awareness.

You start observing the things happening around with detachment and without judgement.

Just because we are in this unyielding race and busy life ...we forget our true nature which prevents us to enjoy simple and pure joyful moments.

Let me share a very simple example:

Tom and Jerry cartoon - When we were child and watched it...it gave us immense joy and happiness. We immersed ourselves into it and enjoyed it. Think of that state of mind? 

It has been researched, studied and documented that MM is an effortless path of achieving that state of mind to help us enjoy each moment dissolving ego to experience pure joy and succeed in whatever we do giving 100%.

"Just be in the present moment, and you will start unleashing the simple moments of joy around you"

2.       Meaningful and extraordinary relationships 

It is about caring for people,  reaching out, providing selfless help, smiling, spreading happiness, being kind.

It feels good to hear someone say "take care" but it feels so much better to hear  someone say "I will take care of you".

Relationship is one of the prime single entity that can help to you make a difference...for you and for other person.

You are in control of it and choose to do more with your meaningful interactions with other person.

Care more...involve more...give more..understand the context and meaning when you do conversation...have deeper feelings....provide extended help that is not asked for

Couple of simple examples that we can use on daily basis:

- When you hold door for person behind you, hold with feeling of caring and awareness of doing kind gesture.

- Smiling or saying Good Morning to the Security Guard when you come to work in morning.

- Wave a thank you when someone allows you to pass by...or let other person pass or turn before you with awareness and intent.

We all are thirsty of luv...so spread the luv and happiness...it will all come back to you...that is the law of universe!!

 I love this saying: "Try to be a rainbow in someones cloud"

3. Gratefulness 

It is about developing attitude of gratitude. Being thankful for what you have. Being grateful for life you have and making the best of it.

We need to be grateful and feel blessed for small things that happen in life. Today is a gift from God - that is why it is called the present.

I am grateful to everyone who has come in my life and to be where I am, how I am and what I am. I am grateful to my parents, my wife, my friends, my family.  I am grateful to breathe the fresh air every morning. I am grateful to wake up with a smile every morning. I am grateful to be grateful.


In conclusion, these three principles have transformed my life. Meditation has been center of these 3 - Mindfulness, Building Meaningful Relationships and Gratefulness.

I am sure it will transform yours too and will make a positive difference in quality of your life.

Let me play this small video that summarizes the core around the Happiness Project.

Pickle Jar

Many times you have to choose to happy...And with that I want to leave you with these words:

“Happiness is not a goal…it’s a by-product of a life well lived.”  Eleanor Roosevelt

I believe in Art of Living and it is the secret key to happiness!!!

- Roopak Desai
Http://www.facebook.com/coachroopakdesai

Simple...spread happiness...

8 Easy Ways To Spread Happiness Around You | Tiny Buddha

....happiness will never leave you!!

Nurture Daily Habits to live Stronger > Happy > Beautiful Life

8 Daily Habits that Will Make You Stronger

You have unlimited power over your mind – not outside events.
Realize this, and you will find strength.
–Marcus Aurelius

1.  Make yourself somewhat uncomfortable.

2.  Work on substantial goals.

Pursue something so significant that even if you fail, you are better off for having tried.  Read The Front Nine.

3.  Nurture your self-worth.

 As the Buddha so profoundly said, “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”

If you are not at peace with yourself, you will not be at peace in the company of others.  

4.  Tell yourself the right story.

You tell yourself a story inside your head every day.  No matter where you are or what you’re doing, you’re always reciting it.  This story makes up a big part of who you are – you build much of your life from it.

Read 1,000 Little Things.

5.  Chat with people who see things differently.

As Frank Zappa once said, “A mind is like a parachute.  It doesn’t work if it is not open.”  

6.  Avoid those who hold you back.

As Gandhi once said, “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”  It’s about making choices and taking actions that speak to your soul.

 ReadEmotional Vampires.

7.  Cope effectively.

Life’s changes and evolutions are win-win.  Life is self-correcting. All you can really do is cope effectively so that when the big one comes, you can surf over it instead of drowning in its monstrosity.

8.  BE where you are while you’re there.

It’s the process of following your path that’s important, not the speed at which you progress down it.  Happiness is found during the journey, not at the destination.  

You have the power to make your moments more enjoyable simply by realizing that where you are is as good as where you want to be.    Read The Power of Less.

Happiness Habits and Positive Mindset!!!

Watch "ME Happiness Habits" on YouTube

Cultivate positive habits to make the positive life style....

How do your change your life? It is through your mindset - Robert Allen

Happiness is when what you think, what you see, and what you do are in harmony!!

Positive Psychology and Happiness | LinkedIn

Feelings of happiness can be subtly increased through a process of behavioral and cognitive changes, including recognizing your own successes, journaling, nurturing gratitude, exercise, meditation and random acts of kindness. Through these activities, we can possibly begin to process our lives as more positive, building resiliency and finding success.
Here are few ideas:

• Be mindful of the present. We can develop a tendency to pay more attention to negative past events. As a result, we might overlook the opportunities to feel positive in the present moment.
  
• Celebrate small successes. Try not to ignore or downplay the smaller steps that lead to larger accomplishments (as these larger events may be few and far between). Pause and reflect on these moments, no matter how small.
• Play to our strengths. Finding a career, or a role that emphasizes what we are good at can greatly increase feelings of positivity. We can often make adjustments to our work lives to accommodate this end - so ponder ideas to accomplish this.
• Recognize performance. If you manage others - try not to miss opportunities to reward excellence. Develop a habit of reaching out to validate accomplishments on a regular basis.
• Show gratitude. Don't be stingy with "thanks-yous" and compliments in the workplace. Let others know you appreciate their contribution to your work life - and build on this positive energy whenever possible. Remember that few things are more meaningful than gratitude.