In his Art of Happiness class, English and Chinese Professor Jiayan Mi teaches Buddhist thoughts of how to live a good life. Here he shares some tips that can help lead us all to a more blissful existence.<\/p>\n
1. Be compassionate \u2014 Loving, helping, and being kind to others spreads joy to them and, in turn, to you.<\/p>\n
2. Feed and bloom \u2014 A plant\u2019s roots require good nutrients to flower. Similarly, if we supply our mind with positive energy, non-judgmental cognizance, and a mindful lifestyle, we can experience happiness.<\/p>\n
3. Breathe with awareness \u2014 Breathing in removes negative feelings such as greed, jealousy, and anger. Breathing out sends good wishes, peace, and healing to others.<\/p>\n
4. Live in the moment \u2014 The past is gone and the future hasn\u2019t come yet. If we get stuck thinking about them, we become unsettled and indecisive. The present is where we are connected to the world and can make decisions that bring good outcomes.<\/p>\n
5. Be part of the ecosystem \u2014 I ask my class, \u201cTell me one thing that exists by itself.\u201d The trick question\u2019s answer is \u201cnothing.\u201d Interdependence and reciprocity are fundamental to a harmonious community.<\/p>\n
6. Get lost \u2014 Take a walk just for the sake of it. We don\u2019t always need to have a destination in mind to enjoy ourselves.<\/p>\n
7. Put it in perspective \u2014 Take a stressful moment (I was in a car accident) and find a positive spin (but I am alive) to lessen your mental burden.<\/p>\n
8. Look inward \u2014 Do not attach your emotions to extrinsic things such as money and fame. The source of happiness does not reside outside the body and mind.<\/p>\n
9. View life like a photo album \u2014 We start as babies, not able to talk or walk. But then we grow and learn. Embracing the changes, overcoming the challenges, and taking on new adventures improves our quality of life.<\/p>\n
10. Show gratitude \u2014 Don\u2019t skip out on saying thanks. The world returns good karma.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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