How You can be a Happier Person

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 HERE'S HOW YOU CAN BE A HAPPIER PERSON



We're all guilty of putting other things in our lives before our own happiness. Whether it's your job, children, your partner - or even your addiction to social media -that takes up most of your time, you probably need to become more `mindful'. What exactly is that? 

Well, mental health experts describe it as knowing directly what is going on inside and outside ourselves, moment by moment. 

Mark Williams, professor of clinical psychology , says that it can be an `antidote to the tunnel vision' we have developed in modern life, helping us to enjoy the world and making us happier. 

Psychological therapist Emma Kenny , who has worked for 17 years in therapy and 10 years in the media, gives us 12 steps to help increase our mindfulness. 

1. MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF
Having `me' time is essential for positive mental health. Spending time doing things that inspire you makes you happy. Whether it's baking, walking the dog, salsa dancing or practising meditation, self-activity inspires a positive attitude.

2. NURTURE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
Happiness comes from nurturing relationships, so make sure you make time for yours. Whether it's scheduling a date night with your partner, taking the kids to the park or having some cake with a friend, connection is an essential role in happiness.

3 SET YOURSELF GOALS
Make sure you list the things that you want from your life and then note how you intend to achieve them. Setting goals and working towards achieving them makes us feel great about ourselves and ensures you can reflect on your success.

4 LEARN TO RELAX
It doesn't matter how -be it taking a long soak in the bath, listening to relaxing music, or by going for an energising run; relaxing is essential in happiness. Try to set aside at least 20 minutes a day simply winding down.

5 LEARN TO BE SELFISH
Before you can make anyone else happy, you need to make sure you are.Look after your own needs first, this way you will have energy for everyone else's.

6 LEARN TO SAY NO
Instead of thinking of it as saying no to someone, think of it instead as saying yes to you. People who accept that saying no is a good thing, tend to feel happier and less overwhelmed than people who agree to do whatever they are asked.

7 DO SOMETHING YOU ARE AFRAID OF
Taking risks make us happy. Trying a new activity, facing a fear or joining a new interest group can feel scary, but the rewards are worth it. People who take risks tend to be happier and more successful than those who don't.

8 TRY TO LIVE IN THE PRESENT
So many of us are second guessing what's going to happen that we fail to experience what's happening right now and consequently end up missing out.Take a breath and look at how amazing your life is right now.

9 TAKE A DIGITAL DETOX
Stop comparing your life on social media with everyone else's. By putting your laptop, smart phone and tablets away, even if just for an evening or a couple of hours per day, you will significantly reduce anxiety.

10 GET OUTSIDE
Go for a walk or run in the fresh air, aside from being fantastic for your physical health, getting outside is fantastic for psychological well-being.When was the last time you simply stepped out and observed things around you? Sometimes, just sitting and watching the world go by can be a therapeutic experience.

11 TREAT YOURSELF
Whether it's a day to pamper yourself or a trip to the theatre with your best friend, rewarding yourself for simply being you is a great way to boost self esteem.

12 FIND YOUR STRENGTHS
Identify your personal strengths for a positivity boost! Noting how skilled we are in certain areas of our lives can remind us of just how talented we are and make us feel great.

13 SPEND TIME WITH YOUR PET
Pets give unconditional love.Spending quality time with your pet can be an enriching and calming experience. Take your pet for a walk or play catch. Their happiness is bound to rub off on you!

14 MEET YOUR FRIENDS
Catching up with old friends and reliving memories can actually be a great way to unwind and also boost your happiness levels. Whether you're meeting at a coffee shop or a swanky dinner place, laughing about old times will make you happy.

15 LET GO OF THE PAST
No matter how much you regret your past, holding on to it will never help you move ahead in life. Make peace with the past and learn to forgive -first yourself and then others.

16 BREATHE WELL
As innocuous as it sounds, taking deep breaths especially when you're bogged down with stress will help you deal with anxiety better.

Source Courtesy: The Times of India (Mumbai)

Black eyed Peas with Oats Dosa

Dosa is a delicate darling dish in South Indian Breakfast...Crisp dosa with good chutney and sambar is heavenly gift. Though am not an expert in cooking but over the years have attempted many in my kitchen...... 

For many days, one packet of big chowlie (white black eyed peas) was lying unused and don't know what to do because got fed up with traditional recipe's....so started searching for some different variety..search took me to

http://holycowvegan.net/2011/04/bean-and-oats-dosa.html 

Taking idea from this, decided to try out...result is black eyed peas oats dosa...not bad in taste with green coriander chutney...though i feel pudina chutney will be good combination for this dosa....

Ingredients

• 1 cup black eyed peas (soak overnight)
• 1½ cup oats
• ½ cup chopped coriander leaves
• 4 green chillies, chopped
• 10-12 curry leaves
• ½-inch piece of ginger, chopped
• Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Put all the ingredients in Mixie or grinder and blend with enough water till you have a runny and smooth dosa batter.
2. Heat a cast-iron or non-stick tawa and pour batter in the centre and spread it round like normal dosa spread.
3. pour a few drops of oil in the centre and around dosa's edge to make it crispier
4. When the underside is golden-brown, flip over and cook another minute or two.
5. Serve hot with chutney.

So this is the recipe. Try and if you like, write your suggestions for improvement....

How God Answers Our Prayers - 2

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Welcome cup Tea...

A group of 15 solders led by a Major were on their way to the post in Himalaya where they would be deployed for the next 3 months. The batch who would be relieved waiting anxiously. 

It was cold winter & intermittent snowfall made the treacherous climb more difficult.

The major thought "If someone could offer a cup of tea. . ," knowing it was a futile wish..

They continued for an hour before they came across a dilapidated structure, which looked like a tea shop but locked. It was late in the night. 

"No tea boys, bad luck", said the major. But he suggested all take some rest there as they have been walking for 3 hours.

"Sir, this is a tea shop and we can make tea... We will have to break the lock", suggested one solder.

The officer was in great dilemma to the unethical suggestion but the thought of a steaming cup of tea for the tired solders made him to give the permission.

They were in luck, the place had everything needed to make tea and also packets of biscuits.  The solders had tea & biscuits and were ready for the remaining journey.

The major thought, they had broken open lock and had tea & biscuits without the permission of the owner. But they're not a band of thieves but disciplined soldiers. He took out a Rs 1000/- note from his wallet, placed it on the counter, pressed under sugar container, so that the owner can see. The officer was now relieved of his guilt. He ordered to put the shutter down and proceed.

Three months passed, they continued to do gallantly in their works and were lucky not to loose anyone from the group in the intense insurgency situation. It was time for another team to replace them. Soon they were on their way back and stopped at the same tea shop which was open and owner was present in the shop.
 

The owner an old man will meager resources was very happy to greet 15 customers.All of them had tea and biscuits. They talked to the old man about his life and experience specially selling tea at such a remote place. The old man had many stories to tell, replete with his faith in God. 

"Oh, Baba, if God is there, why should He keep you in such poverty?", commented one of them.

"Do not say like that Sahib! God actually is there, I got a proof 3 months ago."
 

"I was going through very tough times because my only son had been severely beaten by terrorist who wanted some information from him which he did not have. I had closed my shop to take my son to hospital. Some medicines were to be purchased and I had no money. No one would give me loan for fear of the terrorists. There was no hope, Sahib".

"And that day Sahib, I prayed to God for help. And Sahib, God walked into my shop that day."

"When I returned to my shop, I found lock broken, I felt I was finished, I lost whatever little I had. But then I saw that God had left Rs 1000/ under the sugar pot. I can't tell you Sahib what that money was worth that day. God exists Sahib. He does."

The faith in his eyes were unflinching.
 

Fifteen pairs of eyes met the eyes of the officer and read the order in his eyes clear and unambiguous, "Keep quiet".

The officer got up and paid the bill. He hugged the old man and said, "Yes Baba, I know God does exist. And yes, the tea was wonderful."

The the 15 pairs of eyes did not miss to notice the moisture building up in the eyes of their officer, a rare sight. 

THE TRUTH IS U CAN BE GOD TO ANYONE...as the saying goes deiva(m) manusya rupena...meaning god takes form of fellow human beings to help the needy.

Source Courtesy: Internet