Secret Of Happiness

1. Acceptance

It’s important that we learn to accept ourselves as we are. This doesn’t mean thatwe give up on trying to improve our skills and overcome  bad habits, but thatwe seek to change the things that we can, and pray for the grace to accept the things that we can’t.

2, Forgiveness

None of us can change the past, butwe can try to put things right by seeking the forgiveness of those we have hurt.We can also ask for God’s grace to forgive those who have hurt us.

3 Overcoming Fears

Fear limits and prevents us from doing things. Sometimes it controls us without us knowing it and leaves us feeling very alone.We need to face our fears. Jesus-centred prayer is a way through which we can overcome them.

4 Let Go

Some things we can’t change and we have to reach a point where we let something or someone go.We can still love that person or thing from a distance, but we have to reach a point of surrender.

5 Role Models

It can be healthy to have people that we look up to and want to emulate. In the Catholic tradition, Saints are spiritual role models who inspire people to find the fullness of life.

6 Religious Belief

The agewhen the followers of Freud told us that religion is an unhealthy illusion is over. Professional bodies no longer condemn religion outright. Having an active faith can help give people a life-focus, direction and purpose.

7 SpiritualDirection

Often people neglect investing time in their inner spiritual self. Just as a series of sessions with a psychiatrist can help someone back to full mental health, regularly meeting with a spiritual expert or director can help us grow andmake sense of our spiritual self.

8 MoralGuidelines

We all need some kind of yard stick from which we decide what is right and wrong. The Ten Commandments and the teaching of Jesus Christ help to positively direct many people’s lives.

9 Hope

We all have reason to hope, be that for our loved ones or friends. Experience shows us that things do and can get better over time. For Catholics their source of hope is the person of Jesus Christ.

10 Charity and Service

Factoring in time to help others can lead to a genuine “feel good factor”. Perhaps consider pencilling in a little time each week to help a neighbour, or sign up for some other voluntary work.

By Dr Pravin Thevathsan,

Consultant Psychiatrist
Article taken from the Life4seekers Magazine. If you'd like a copy please e-mail your name and address to: questions@life4seekers.co.uk