Happiness in this whirl-pool of social networking

social-network has many benefits.It keeps us busy and well informed.We come to know about the nuances of the world around us-what is in vouge and what is redundant.

But what does it do to our mind-set?Do we feel inferior,incompetent or isolated in this whirlpool?Does it leave us depressed or elated?This is one query which deserves pondering.After all our progress and achievements depend upon how we feel.

So here is a post about social-networking and happiness.Most of the chats on social media describe the owners' achievements,their special days and the likes or dislikes which they recieve.Viewed from a neutral vantage point,not all chats may be true or authentic.But they do have a lot of impact on our minds.In order to gauge our own status in this milieu let us consider our own behaviour first.

1. Do we believe all the chats on the social-network as being 100% true and leave no space for our own judgement?
2. Comparisons-Do we tend to compare our own status,achievements,friend circle and popularity with those of others?A friend might be good in developing social relationships but I may have some other talent.
3. Are we ignoring real-time relationships and connecting only through  phone?
4. Are we proactive?Do we    face problems as soon as they appear or do we dilly-dally and spend time on the social media to ease our minds?

According to Dalai Lama "Happiness is not something ready-made.It comes from our own actions".So here are a few pointers to guide us all:

Flexibility-Life may not follow the road-map laid down by you.Unforeseen events can pose  problems.Flexibility  alone can keep us sane.Even Lord Ram had to face a down-turn in his youth.He gauged the circumstances and acted accordingly.Ups and downs are a part of life.Those who lose courage after a set-back will not be able to correct their circumstances and find happiness.

Gratefulness=One discord or a negative event is only-THAT-one part of life.It does not eliminate other factors which are still working for you.Be thankful for them and take their help to move forward.

Rmination-Thinking all the time about how happy you were,or how in past everything  took place just the way you wanted it to;is no way to be happy.Obsessing about the negative events only causes misery.Rumination ruins happiness.

Negativity-We meet all kinds of people in life-some may be cheerful and positive while some others may always be obsessed because of their fears and tragedies.Associating with the second kind will overshadow your own cheerfulness.Shun them where possible.

Me-time-In the routine of daily life,find time to follow pursuits which make you happy.

Keeping the above elements in mind will save you from heartache so that you can tread your path and be happy.

Rituals

These days I am more of an observer rather than a doer.Many coaching students and their mothers or grand-mothers live nearby.I see the ladies go to a park in front of my home early morning and conduct various rituals.One comes with a small utensil containing I don't know what, to be laid down at the feet of the God,while another plucks flowers to do the same.There is another one who pours water at the root of a tree-perhaps Peepal.

I believe they do all  this for the sucess,health and long life of their family.That much is obvious.But how effective these rituals are in the house of Lord?This I don't know.Do these small gestures change our destiny?Can they?Are we or aren't we predestined from the very beginning?A famous idiom proclaims-as you sow,so you shall reap;but can such rituals change the outcome of our actions?This question puzzles me.Can any one enlighten me?

What Is Your Special Characteristic ?

We meet countless people in our life-time in as many circumstances and at as many places.Some,we forget immediately,or soon after,but but some leave an indelible imprint on our heart or brain.It is not even as if we have a strong relationship with them.Even chance-encounters can have that effect.In a previous post titled  "When Strangers Leave Pleasant Memories" I recounted a few incidents where random remarks of strangers are still fresh in my mind,even after decades.Perhaps they revealed an outstanding characteristic of those persons.

This leads to the main subject of this post.What is it in a person's behaviour which tags along whenever we think of that person?Which characteristic is his/her special feature?One which sticks to them in our memory?For example a friend of mine is mostly very reserved,quiet and a loner.It sticks to her like the bindi on her forehead.Yet another one is friendly and gregarious.A meeting with her will pep you up for hours.Another acquaintance of mine is the exact opposite-always moaning about her health or life-conditions.One more,whom I often encounter asks endless personal,irrelevant questions.No wonder people shun her at first sight.

Now to the next subject-what is your special characteristic-one which sticks to you in others' mind?Can you come up with a quick answer?So difficult,no?I myself don't know how you all remember me.It is difficult to answer this question,but if I did,I could take a step or two to improve myself.Do you all ever ponder about this?Do let me know.