Happiness is a culture

The mind is arguably the most important part of us humans.

The quality of our thoughts determines our habits or life choices - an unhealthy mind can impact on our body and life in general negatively.

An unhealthy mind cannot manage people, relationships, money or even the human body.
A mind that is weighed down by the burden of guilt would find it difficult to be happy or express love.
An unhealthy mind is also likely to depend on artificial tranquilizers to give it a false sense of freedom or relief, by taking harmful substances that are prejudicial to the body.

Similarly, we may possess so much material wealth and still remain disillusioned if we are unhappy, worried or paranoid.

Guilt, fear, stress, horror, worry, jealousy, obsession and paranoia are some of the things that clutter the mind; so I've tried listing some simple things that can help us declutter the mind.

                "There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience"

Read, enjoy and please share your own opinions or experiences...

1. Call people up. Fulfill your promise of checking up your niece in the hostel. Visit Grannies.

2. Be responsible - Don't let duties overlap.

3. Redeem your pledges and promises.

4. Don't procrastinate - Begin to work on your goals:  car servicing, mammogram, dieting etc.

5. Tidy up your personal space - be able to locate personal effects easily as and when needed.

6. Try to always sleep on a well made bed - The quality of our sleep determines the freshness of  
    our minds and invariably the productivity of each new day.

7. Pray - Communicate, be at peace, and receive fresh inspiration from your maker.

8. Exercise.

9. Settle disputes and make up with very loved ones or genuinely good people in your life ASAP - nothing affects our concentration more.

10. Forgive - at the very least - those who have proven to be unrepentantly malicious and antagonistic; and then keep your distance.

11. Be good natured, honest and caring.

12. Share your problems - confide in someone, often we will feel much better by their show of care
      and empathy, if not by their ability to suggest a solution.

     Advise people honestly, or keep your counsel.

14. Don't victimize anyone - "there is no pillow so soft as a good conscience".

15. Avoid horror movies or gory footage on TV if you're faint hearted.

16. Forgive yourself.

17. Listen to music.

18. Watch NatGeo wild or any documentary of animals in their natural environments. Animal
       habitats are an antithesis of the most rowdy urban centre. Hence, they have a way of
       absorbing us into their sheer splendor, peace and serenity.

19. Be contented - don't clutter your mind with unhealthy desires and competition.

20. Don't be lustful/obsessive.

What are your best ways to declutter the mind? Please share with us in the comments section.

Written by: Seyi Ogunsola (Mr Imbuya)
Twitter: mr_imbuya

If this article has blessed you, I'd be glad if you helped share on Twitter, Facebook, or vote on Digg - Thank you!

"The aspects of things that are most important for us are hidden because of their simplicity and familiarity." -- Ludwig Wittgenstein

 "Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." -- Confucius

The easiest thing for me to do when life becomes a little difficult is to simplify my life. If I can't add, then surely I can remove or simplify.

Time and again we overlook the simplest source of happiness... Simplicity!

I'd like to share 20 of the ways in which I make my life simple, hopefully we can relate with some of them and find them useful in helping us become happier people.

1. Don't be boastful - When we boast we put so much pressure on ourselves in trying to live up, knowing that our failure will be spectacular and well noted.

2. Tell the truth as much as possible - Our brains are less stressed when we engage it proactively without having to worry about remembering, defending or denying what we said previously.

3. Live within your means - This sounds obvious enough; but it's surprising how so many people still try to earn their way out of financial difficulty instead of curbing their spending. You don't have to be on the wedding train of every of your former school-mates.

4. Don't build happiness or self-esteem on money and material acquisitions - Life will always be complicated for us when we try to be happy by having everything that is in vogue or everything our neighbour has. One race that you will never win is out-buying or "out-possessing" everyone else.

5. Don't try to be a perfectionist - This way you can do things your way, in your own time and at the convenient pace.

6. Don't be a people pleaser - It never works anyway. Some people will never like you - just focus everyday on being a better you.

7. Do the simple things - Dress yourself up and take self-pictures, watch TV, sing, play with chickens, ride a bicycle, sing and record... just do the simple things that please you.

8. If you don't understand what someone has just said, 'simply' say so - Save yourself the stress that comes with worrying about being figured out or embarrassed.

9. Be kind and helpful whenever possible - Someone will be there to help you when life gets hard

10. "Simply" ask questions or seek directions - You get things done better, faster and more easily.

11. Don't be overcritical of people - This happens in football - when some people can't even pick up their phones or go to work when their team has just lost, because of how offensive they were in criticizing their colleague's team. You can then imagine what happens if it's a failure in personal life.

12. Share your problems - There is nothing we are going through that someone hasn't been through.

13. Be respectful and courteous - Life becomes complicated when we have to take the other route to avoid saying hello.

14. Put your well-being and health first (Spiritual devotion, exercises, healthy diet)  - Everything in life is simpler and easier when we enjoy good mental, emotional and physical health.

15. Spend less on celebrations - They only last a few hours.

16. Spend quality time with family - We are at our freest and most natural when around family - It's not such a big deal when that loud fart escapes from our pants.

17. Be humble and kind to everyone - "That driver" may have the ears of the company CEO and might be able to put in a word for you.

18. Don't be obsessed with following trends - You are constantly worked up thinking about how to raise money for the next iPhone - and guess what, they soon become obsolete.

19. Don't try to do everything by yourself - Get a mentor, adviser or assistant. How many times have we seen leaders fail or get exhausted because they wont delegate nor seek advice.

20. Never promise too much - If we make a genuine promise and change in circumstances mean we cant live up, we should be bold enough to communicate and not start lying or avoiding people. People appreciate us more than what we can offer; hence, it's important we don't wreck the relationship.