Very nice article by Late
Khushwant Singh. Preserve this .😊
How To Live & Die
I’ve often thought about what it is that makes people happy—what one has to do
in order to achieve happiness.
1- First and foremost is good health. If you do not enjoy good health, you can
never be happy. Any ailment, however trivial, will deduct something from your
happiness.
2- Second, a healthy bank balance. It need not run into crores, but it should be
enough to provide for comforts, and there should be something to spare for
recreation—eating out, going to the movies, travel and holidays in the hills or
by the sea. Shortage of money can be demoralising. Living on credit or borrowing
is demeaning and lowers one in one’s own eyes.
3- Third, your own home. Rented places can never give you the comfort or
security of a home that is yours for keeps. If it has garden space, all the
better. Plant your own trees and flowers, see them grow and blossom, and
cultivate a sense of kinship with them.
4- Fourth, an understanding companion, be it your spouse or a friend. If you
have too many misunderstandings, it robs you of your peace of mind. It is better
to be divorced than to be quarrelling all the time.
5- Fifth, stop envying those who have done better than you in life—risen higher,
made more money, or earned more fame. Envy can be corroding; avoid comparing
yourself with others.
6- Sixth, do not allow people to descend on you for gossip. By the time you get
rid of them, you will feel exhausted and poisoned by their gossip-mongering.
7- Seventh, cultivate a hobby or two that will fulfill you—gardening, reading,
writing, painting, playing or listening to music. Going to clubs or parties to
get free drinks, or to meet celebrities, is a criminal waste of time. It’s
important to concentrate on something that keeps you occupied meaningfully.
8- Eighth, every morning and evening devote 15 minutes to introspection. In the
mornings, 10 minutes should be spent in keeping the mind absolutely still, and
five listing the things you have to do that day. In the evenings, five minutes
should be set aside to keep the mind still and 10 to go over the tasks you had
intended to do.
9- Ninth, don’t lose your temper. Try not to be short-tempered, or vengeful.
Even when a friend has been rude, just move on.
10- Above all, when the time comes to go, one should go like a Person without
any regret or grievance against anyone.