Are you happy? Can you look at yourself in the mirror and audibly state that you are happy? And not just the, “uh, yea I’m happy” or “of course I am happy, why wouldn’t I be,” response that feels immediately and uncomfortably hollow upon utterance? We have the capacity to grow and evolve for our entire lives. We have the capacity to live a life that is rich in happiness, love, and peace within and around us. Our thoughts, actions, and energy have the power to not only affect our state of being, but also of those around us; we are all connected in the end. We are in charge of our own happiness. Deepak Chopra articulates quite nicely this idea and what he believes are the 10 keys to happiness.
For those of you have don’t know who Deepak Chopra is, here is a little introduction before we begin a ten week journey together and examine more closely what these ten keys to happiness are. Deepak Chopra is an expert in the field of mind and body healing. He is a medical doctor, alternative medicine advocate, author, and prominent public speaker. Deepak Chopra moved to the United States in the 70’s to practice medicine. He quickly rose to chief of medicine at the New England Memorial Hospital where he also found himself smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, drinking constantly, and surrounded by other stressed out physicians.
After reading a book on transcendental medicine and meeting a transcendental mediation guru, he quit his hospital job to start a company that specialized in alternative health products. Deepak Chopra has gone on to become one of the most influential voices in mind, body, soul happiness and health. Between work, family, friends, financial responsibilities, and just day to day obligations, some of us find ourselves out of balance, out of touch, and partially or fully unhappy. Sometimes we just need to step back, reevaluate our way of being, and make some subtle or grand changes in our lives. Every single one of us deserves to be happy.
Over the next ten weeks, we will be breaking down each one of Deepak Chopra’s keys to happiness. Take what you would like from this whether it becomes your guide to achieving the happiness that you deserve or just a pleasant confirmation that you are already on the right path and anything in between. Health and wellness is more than just physical.