The secret to a tranquil life

Since the dawn of civilisation, humankind has tried utmost to live a life in a manner which is quite peaceful, serene and less bothersome. Over the journey of millenniums, humans have adopted and evolved various recipes to master the art of living. However, the life in contemporary times isn’t an easy undertaking. It isn’t a kid’s stuff and plain sailing. For many, it’s an epitome of untold stories, unfulfilled dreams, unattended calls and unsung adventures. It’s an enigma, a maze one has to master by experiencing it or learning from other’s life stories. Life is in fact an agonising reality one needs to acknowledge and accept. Salvation lies not in giving up to the life but in experiencing and braving its untoward realities. The following keys help maximise the allure, appeal and tranquility of life.

The first and foremost, perhaps a time-tested way to a pacific life, is simplicity. It holds the key to the priceless treasure of repose and equanimity. Since a simple life is immune from the exorbitant needs, fancy desires and lavish display, one learns to become content with what one possesses. By living simply and humbly, one never indulges in the vicious cycle of ceaseless greed and gluttony and the subsequent anguish and depression.

Secondly, the lofty trait of forgiveness is yet another proven project of a worthy living. As a social animal, one interacts and comes in contact with various fellow beings each day as the needs are inextricably interlinked in a society. During the social interplay, doing wrongs or being wronged — inadvertently or otherwise — by fellows in one way or the other is but inevitable. Taking every wrong in mind and purposelessly thinking on these wrongdoings robs one of joy and allure of the moments that life offers. Henceforth, forgiving others for their wrongdoings and apologising for our wrongs to others would affords us the moments of calm besides knitting amicable terms with our fellow beings.

Thirdly, since we are bombarded from dawn to dusk with distractions and untoward happening around, we need not be receptive of all these stimuli. If one takes to heart and deeply reflects on every event and happenings around, s(he) would end up in being devoured by overthinking and depression. We should rather be selective in reacting to the events.

Fourthly, gratitude is another key to contentment and happiness. Rather than cursing and regretting for what we don’t have, we need to remain grateful and make the most of what we have been bestowed with. Gratitude is the antidote to wishful desire, utopian castle building and the subsequent mental trauma they unleash.

Fifthly, doing away with the habit of expectations would bring peace in life. Since expectations lie at the roots of most of sorrows, we shouldn’t put too much expectation both on people and our plans and efforts. We can control efforts, but not their outcomes. What we can do is to put sincere efforts sans overthinking on their results.

Sixthly, a life closer to nature helps unleash peace. A lifestyle laden with artificiality, fabrications and falsified lavish display is a fertile ground for pain, anguish and torment.

Seventhly, avoiding unnecessary and extreme emotional attachments to anyone can help escape the miseries of separation and subsequently ends in contentment.

Last but not the least, kindness and helpfulness is the time-tested recipe of satisfaction and happiness. The feeling one experiences after helping destitute and needy is paradisiacal. In reality, helping someone in need fills one’s life with eternal joy and happiness.

Though mastering the exalted art of living isn’t plain sailing, its outcomes are ebullient and overwhelming. By doing and undoing some of our thoughts, actions and habits, not only can we feel an eclectic happiness and contentment within us but also radiate joy to our fellow beings around.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 14^th, 2021.

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