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Show You Answer Yes, You Are Happy . . . There is no standard formula for everybody for being happy, but if we understand certain fundamentals fun-damentals we can probably be happier hap-pier than we are, says Dr. Martin Gumpert. Writing in Redbook Magazine for January, he gives "ten essentials for happiness:" "I have observed that there are some characteristics of behavior which are common denominators of the happiest people. I call them 'Ten Essentials of Happiness.' Here they are, in the form of questions only you can answer: "1. Are you able to be alone with yourself? A happy human is able to enjoy his own companionship companion-ship and be alone without being lonesome. "2. Are you doing what you want to do? It is one of your most important tasks to find out and in time what you want to get out of life. And when, with the help of constructive experience, experi-ence, study and inclination, you recognize a worth-while aim, it is never too late to make a radical change. "3. Do you have curiosity ? Life is a gift of unending richness. Only by constantly altering and adapting our habits and techniques tech-niques can we achieve improvement improve-ment and progress. "4. Are you healthy? Well-being is based on the intimate knowledge of one's own physical and mental requirements and capacities. "5. Have you stopped learning? The faculty of learning is one of ! : the most precious gifts of civilization, civiliza-tion, and it should never be given up as long as life lasts. Nobody is too old, too tired, too weak or even too unintelligent not to be able to enrich his treasure of knowledge every single day of his existence. "6. Do you have enough money? Try to accumulate enough to buy what you really want but don't want too much. The feeling that you can change your home, your job, your clothes, that you can eat a pound of caviar if you should want to, gives a pleasant sense of independence, makes you in a way equal to the richest man on earth. "7. Do you like people? We need people as they need us. Only when you like others will others like you. And nothing is more important in your relationship to others than a strong, frank sense of humor. "8. Are you in love? Constant alertness, to confirm, to repeat, to rejuvenate the adventure of love, brings more happiness than almost anything else. "9. Are you developing your abilities? Some of us may be limited in abilities and talents. But by using and developing what we have to the limit we will lead a fuller and happier life than the lazy genius who neglects his gifts. "10. Do you have a clear conscience con-science ? It is a great step toward inner freedom when we unburden our troubled, anxious minds." |