[www.keralites.net] What Can Nature Teach Us About Being Happy [12 Attachments]

 

There is a Chinese proverb that says: "Whoever loves and understands a garden will find contentment within." Now I often visit the zoo, which is set in beautiful gardens. While I'm there I can see that we can learn a lot about happiness from observing nature.

What are some tips we can learn? Here are the top 10.

1. Find and value our niche

The animals and plants in a forest all have a purpose – a niche. In a balanced ecosystem they work together in harmony. When the balance is lost the system falls apart. Food chains are destroyed, animals become extinct and land degradation sets in.

Like plants and animals, each of us has a purpose for being here. If we took away jobs from society, the balance would be lost. Observe in the media what happens when school teachers, bus drivers or any other profession goes on strike for a while. Chaos!

Years ago I did some training to become a salesperson in a fitness club. During the training the instructor mentioned how he once spoke to a person who said he was "just a cleaner" in a school. The instructor told the cleaner that he is not "just a cleaner". The instructor then pointed out that by cleaning away the rubbish, the cleaner was preventing children in the school from getting ill, and possibly dying from diseases, so he had an important job to do. The instructor mentioned how no one should understate their jobs, as all jobs are worthwhile. Saying we are "just a…" devalues ourselves and the importance of our jobs.

Sadly society often values people on things like their job, class, looks or wealth, and overlooks people's kindness, compassion, generosity and other positive traits.

Be proud of whatever talents, skills and positive attributes that you have, however humble you perceive them to be. We are all needed.

2. Follow the light

Plants follow the light; they grow towards the sun. Without sunlight they die.

In a spiritual sense we can think of "the light" as love, harmony, peace and other positive elements. They help us soar to our true potential. They give our lives meaning. They can give us extra happiness.

Hatred, bitterness, jealousy and other negative feelings, however, waste energy, destroy creativity and can hinder our health, happiness and success.

Seek more of "the light" in our lives.

… The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God."

- Anne Frank

3. Be adaptable

Nature is constantly changing. The seasons change. The climate changes. We change as we make the transition from children to adults.

Some people think that they are the way they are, so they don't need to adapt to the changing environment and other inevitable changes in life. They might blame their relatives or childhood for how happy, healthy and successful they are, and use them as reasons not to change. "I'm always sad because my mother is always sad! It runs in the family." This is not taking responsibility for our lives.

Accept that change is inevitable, so fighting it is pointless; it wastes vital energy and can lead to unhappiness. Rather than thinking of change as something to resent, view it with interest, and as a way to expand our lives and grow.

So what can we do to be adaptable? We might need to be retrained; perhaps overcome destructive old habits and replace them with new helpful ones; go on a stress management, cooking or parenting course. Whatever the changes are, being adaptable is vital for success, good health and extra happiness.

4. Be patient

When we plant seeds it takes time for them to grow shoots. Before the leaves start to show nothing seems to happen for a while, but things are going on beneath the surface of the soil. Like seeds, when we "sow" ideas and aim to be happier, it can take time to see results. Be patient.

5. Aim for balance in our lives

Nature thrives when it's in balance. Plants and animals need enough water, nutrients and sunlight to flourish. Too much or too little and they can get ill and die; same with our bodies.

For extra happiness we need to balance how much food we eat, our body weight, stress levels and so on. High blood pressure, cholesterol and blood fats are a few signs that our bodies are out of balance.

Striking balance in our lives can be a challenge in our chaotic world. Here are some tips to help find balance.

Learn from those who are successful, happy and healthy. Ask them questions. Read their biographies or success stories. What philosophies do they have? What coping mechanisms do they use? What are they thinking, doing and believing that helps make them happy?Find an area of your life that you'd like to have more balance in. Identify one or more ways that you could make it more balanced. Choose at least one way and put it into practice. Later on assess how successful it was. If necessary, do this with your other ideas.

6. Eat the way nature intended

I was listening to the news on the radio a few years ago when a vet came on air. He said that more and more dogs are becoming obese because their owners are feeding them junk food. He highlighted that junk food is not suitable for dogs and dog owners should not feed it to them.

As I've studied nutrition, I was very glad to hear this segment. I then wished a dietitian would come on the radio and say a similar sort of thing to parents about feeding their children junk food. "Scandal, junk food not suitable for dogs, but parents feed it to children!" is a headline I'd love to hear.

Our bodies are made to eat fruit, vegetables and other natural foods. Only in the last few decades have many societies started eating a lot of unhealthy and artificial foods.

A happy mind needs the right fuel. A balance of B vitamins, certain minerals, essential fats and so on can help make us happier. Not having enough omega-3 fats, for example, can cause depression.

UK nutritionist Patrick Holford discusses the link between food and mood in his book Optimum Nutrition for the Mind. He explains how healthy eating habits can raise IQ, enhance happiness, reduce aggression, and help treat and prevent mental health problems. Future articles on this website will cover happiness and nutrition in more detail.

7. Continue to grow

Life is abundant with growth. Plants grow. Animals grow. We grow – spiritually, mentally, physically… – to survive. Do not stagnate. Keep learning, growing and improving.

We should aim to keep growing no matter what age we are. My late grandfather did a college course aged in his 70s. He died shortly afterwards, so he didn't have much time to use it, but as he did something he wanted to do before he died, he was a happier man because of it.

8. Make time to rest

Some people I know are always doing something. They rarely take time-out to relax. They told me what they do; it was exhausting! Full-time work, after-hours study, taking their kids to and from sport miles away from home and more. I'm worried they could get burn-out if they don't make an effort to relax more.

We all need rest. Meditation, day dreaming and the like are vital to restore our energy levels. Add regular chill-out time to your day and watch your energy and happiness levels improve. A few fifteen minute breaks throughout the day might be all you need.

Animals in the wild rest – they do not work full-on without a break while they are awake. Learn from them.

… Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."

- Lao Tzu

9. Make time to enjoy ourselves

Many animals play and have fun; it adds extra happiness to their lives. Remember the importance of putting regular time aside to enjoy ourselves. Sport, recreation, laughter and happy times with friends and family add years to our life and life to our years.

10. Accept that loss is part of life

Loss is a normal part of life. After a loss, it's important to look to the future and, in time, move on and make the most of our lives.

When we lose something it can open-up the door to new opportunities. Look for the opportunities rather than focusing on what we have lost.

… For happiness, one needs security, but joy can spring like a flower even from the cliffs of despair."

- Anne Morrow Lindbergh, American writer and aviation pioneer

… There's always hope as every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn."

- Author Unknown

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Posted by: Fereshteh Jamshidi <fayjay81@yahoo.com>

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[www.keralites.net] 15 Dangerous Roads In India That Are A Driver's Worst Nightmare

 

Driving on Indian roads is like walking on a tight rope. You've got to be really careful with the wheels because of pathetic road conditions that could test the patience of even the most seasoned drivers. But you really deserve a medal if you've driven on the following Indian roads and highways. These are literally multiple highways to hell.

1. Zoji La Pass

The blink of an eye could land a vehicle straight down from an altitude of 3,538 meters! Zoji La Pass is one of the countrys most dreaded roads as it is frightfully narrow and covered in snow sludge round the season. You'll come across this route while making your way to Leh from Srinagar. The pass is a major link between Ladakh and Kashmir.

2. Neral-Matheran Road

This serpentine road will send your heart to your mouth for sure! The road, that goes up to Matheran from Neral, is as smooth as butter. But you cannot speed up due to its narrowness. If you don't want to drive it, there are many share taxis that take tourists in hoards right up to Matheran.

3. National Highway 22

The name highway to hell seems more appropriate for this scary highway than the current unassuming National Highway 22. Touted as one of Indias most dangerous highways, the road here makes you cut through a mountain. In the process, death looms over you in the form of cliffs and tunnels all around. National Highway 22 was also featured in the History Channel's "IRT Deadliest Roads" TV series for its poor maintenance and hazardous condition.

4. Chang La

Drivers experience breathlessness and nausea while passing through this route. Chang La is covered with snow throughout the year and is guarded by the army due to its proximity to the Chinese border. It is advisable to carry extra warm clothes and a medical kit with you, as the winds and climate can be extremely harsh.

5. Leh-Manali Highway

Driving on this route is a massive pain, because the highway is always traff**cked and you move at a snail's pace. When the snow-laden road thaw with frost heaves, several trucks and four-wheelers are said to have suffered irreparable damage. 

6. Munnar Road

Similar to the Neral-Matheran road, Munnar Road too has twisty turns and high slopes. The sweet aroma of fresh tea leaves will waft through your drive, but you will be disturbed by careless drivers who drive on the smooth pass as if it were a motorbike runway!

7. Three level Zig Zag Road

Located in Sikkim, these spiral roads make for the most scenic views. At 11,200 ft above the sea level, this road will give you the best view of the Himalayan crown. The curvy roads will send your head into a tizzy even if youre sitting on the backseat. You need special permits to pass through, as the road is not for the faint-hearted!

8. Khardung La Pass

Under the armys close inspection, this pass is covered with hairpin turns that will have the most seasoned drivers fearful. Khardung La Pass gives you an entrance to Nubra Valley and remains closed annually from October to May due to harsh conditions.

9. Kishtwar-Kailash Road

In 2013, athlete Mick Fowler and his climbing partner, Paul Ramsden, documented their way through the most dangerous Kishtwar-Kailash road. The one lane path, which traverses through the newly formed J&K district, is so dangerous that it will make your GPS stop working for you. The climb is terrible, and one hasty move could land you on your deathbed. 

10. Rajmachi Road

The gravelled road situated in the Sahyadris has a hustle-bustle of trekkers and bikers. The way gets slippery during the monsoons, which makes it difficult for riders to ride on it. 

11. Kinnaur Road

Kinnaur road will astound you with its cliff-hanging drives and dark narrow holes. A tiny mistake, and you will splash into the Baspa river that will take no time to swallow you. The valley road remains closed during heavy snowfall. If you ever get a chance to pass through this way, please be extra careful around the dangerous Taranda dhank which is infamous for claiming lives.

12. Nathu La Pass

This pass is said to be the highest motorable road in the world. It is one of the three open trading border posts between China and India and is located 54 km east of Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, and 430 km from Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. The road here gets blocked due to massive landslides and snow sludge, making driving a bad experience here.

13. Valparai Tirupati ghat

Its not easy to reach the most crowded temple on earth. Tirupati has a ghat which is quite risky and prone to accidents. You have to be extra careful while passing through the twists and turns that are abundant on the road. 

14. Gata Loops

Its a series of twenty one hairpin bends that you will come across when youre driving on the Leh-Manali driveway. The road is said to be haunted by a ghost of a tourist who was buried here. People offer cigarettes and mineral water on the spot and then carry on with their journey. 

15. Pune-Mumbai Expressway

Apart from landslides, the Pune-Mumbai expressway has a ton of careless drivers overtaking and zigzagging their way, which causes some serious accidents. There are also cases where drivers have slept behind the wheel, due to fatigue and sleep deprivation. A report reveals that around 14,186 accidents took place on the expressway between January 2006 and August 2014 and 925 people died between January 2006 and June 2013. Further investigations revealed that 60% of accidents happened due to carelessness and human error.

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Posted by: Fereshteh Jamshidi <fayjay81@yahoo.com>

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