It may be his genuine smile, his relaxed stance, or the myth that rubbing his belly will bring luck that makes the “big, jolly man” so charming. He exudes an air of contentment and peace that cannot go unnoticed. It is the laughing Buddha’s ultimate embodiment of pure happiness that has come to be a hallmark of fascination to us all.
A lot can be learned from the “big, jolly man” that could serve some realistic purpose in our hectic lives. For sometimes we tend to shuffle through the motions, get distracted by frivolous thoughts, fixate on the past and future, and hold relentless grudges. We were put on this earth to enjoy, not to suffer. And in order to get happy you must learn to revel in the moment! Being present and opening your eyes to reality will leave a positive impact on your day-to-day life. So unlock the secrets to Buddha’s smile and take a dose of these happy hints.
1. Let it be
Don’t hang on to the way things should be- accept them as they are. If you aren’t able to go on that cruise with your friends, don’t mope around sadly the whole spring break. Rather, make the best of what you’ve got. Lodro Rinzler, the author of The Buddha Walks Into A Bar, summarized this idea quite well by saying, “If we could relax our idea of the way things should be and appreciate them as they are, then the world would be magically transformed into a rich ground of possibilities.”
2. Focus
By concentrating your energy on the here and now, you will become more aware of your surroundings and create necessary connections in your mind that hold onto memories. Truly being present will make your memories that much more vivid, and allow them to never fade.
3. Reflect
Before reacting on impulse, take a step back, reflecting upon why you feel this way and if it would be good to react to the situation. Is it really necessary that you get road rage and yell at this other driver? Will yelling at them make you happier? Of course not. Sometimes it is better to take a different route or not react at all, rather than rely on bad habits.
4. Don’t rush
Being in a fast paced world makes it feel like we always have to be on hyper speed. If you learn to slow down and take time to observe the world around you, then you can be more appreciative and bring thoughtful precision into your life.
5. Don’t be hard on yourself
Show kindness towards yourself, even when you mistakenly drunk text an ex. By polluting your mind with thoughts of anger you are only hurting yourself more. Overthinking or judging yourself for an experience will only bring more pain.
6. Show compassion
Open your heart and treat others with pure kindness. Before jumping to conclusions about someone, think about how they may feel. They may be going threw a rough time with their boyfriend or recently lost their job. You should open your heart and brighten their day, even if it is just with a smile.
7. Stay open minded
It is often said that, “Expectation is the root of all heartache.” Many times we create scenarios in our head that we believe will eventually come true. We forget to leave room for change, thus leaving us devastated when things do not go our way. By opening your mind to change and doing away with your fixed views, you can see the bigger picture and find that there are better things to come.
We must thrive in the now, celebrate in the moment, and love in the present if we ever want to know happiness. For a wise May Parker (Spiderman’s aunt) once said, “There’s a power in every moment- a chance for happiness if you look for it. And it’s every person’s responsibility to find those moments and cherish them.” Now, that truth alone would surely put a smile on Buddha’s face.