What are the secret ingredients of happiness?

1) Smile. Smiling is an universal language understands by all. Smile denotes amusement, happiness, joy and in agreement. Whether you are in the jungle of the Amazon or in the metropolis of Mumbai, everyone understands the language smiling communicates. According to Dr. David Song, a plastic surgeon and Associate Professor at the University of Chicago Hospitals, it takes one more facial muscle to smile than to frown. From this technicality stand point, it makes perfect sense to smile more often as the net cost of smiling does not differ very much from frowning.  Take it easy, relax and smile. 

2) Socialize. We, human, are social creatures.   We tend to be happy when we are in a group.  The very term of Yoga means being in a group, to unite.  From making small talks via phone, instant message or texting, to deep philosophical conversations over dinner.  You should take every opportunity to socialize and mingle with the crowd.  There is a need to make socializing and make new friends a top priority in your life.  It should be a habit to socialize with strangers as well.  There are so many people on this planet.  People of different country of origin, religion, and race are fascinating.  It takes some practice to strike up a conversation with a stranger.  To do so, we would have to refer back to our 1) smile, maintain eye contact and say hi.

3) Spend Money.  There is an age old debate about can money buy happiness.  In fact, it can if we use the money wisely.  We should see the money as a tool.  You need to be a master of money, not a slave to money.  Meaning, you need to take control of how you spend your money.  In a consumer-driven society today, there is a need to live within your means.  This balancing act is something that you have to learn and master.  For example, would you be happy if you credit a plasma TV on your card knowing that the model of your plasma TV will be out of date in a year (slave), or would you be happy if you treat your dear friends out for a meal on your debit card to celebrate your recent promotion (master)?  The answer should be a no-brainer if you are reading this entry thus far.  So, the take away here is, you would be much happier if you use the money as a reward for your acheivement and hardwork.

Now, it’s up to you to try out these simple ingredients.  Let me know what happiness tastes like from your perspective.

There is a misconception on when does a romantic relationship begin.  It is a common understanding that the romantic relationship begins when ones both to be agreed to commit.  The common ground is once both are committed, they can lay the ground work and start building the loving relationship together.

There is more…

There is usually a lengthly screen process involved when you are looking for a meaningful romantic relationship.  This process usually includes using your own ego to describe multiple qualities of your partner.  i.e. confidence, control, physical look, financial stability and power.  This is when you should realize that in order to meet the perfect partner, you would have to be worthy. 

So, the question is, are you worthy?

There is not a set of definition or procedure to describe worthiness.  You would have to refer back to the list of the qualities you wrote down in describing your potential partner.  The key really comes down to continuous self-improvement. i.e. You think you have a bad posture?  The solution would be working out, take yoga classes, or dance classes.

When you are feeling down, and out of alignment due to I-Can’t-Find-The-One syndrome, please remember, you are already commited to a relationship.  Yourself.  Treat it with the uttermost respect.

They call out to Jesus, their señor over and over again; they call out to the virgin Mary for help. The calls from these people on the brink of the society made me think that the God does exist and that He was amongst all of us, singing, dancing, and praying. I was mad. If He were indeed with us, why isn’t Him doing anything. I felt better now thinking that maybe that is all He could do, just sitting on the floor with me, listening. Or maybe that the old lady, who put on her prettiest hat for me, whom wasn’t shy of asking me to dance with her over and over again think that the Senor sent me to her from a foreign land. These strong people have nothing so they do everything.

We made it, all four of us. We are tired, sweaty, sunburnt and smell funny. We took pictures and indulged in tourists´ activities as if we earned the privilege. I can´t hep but wonder in this place of such beauty how many footsteps must have gone before us and how many of those people must be dead by now. I had to lean my body forward and touch every stone step on the way of the vertical/90 degree climb. It is as if the Incans were mocking us. They are making us bow to their gods, and kiss their stone work all the way up the mountain… That´s exactly what I did when I charged to the top of the mountain. I bowed, I kissed and loved every inch of the dirt like a faithful pilgrim.