:-)

I've made a decision to be happy :):):)

I don't know if you know this about me, but I'm actually a pretty ambitious, driven, obsessive-compulsive person.

As a result, I can be too hard on myself, and people have said that I do need to cut myself some slack at times.

From now on, I will made a conscious effort to enjoy life more.

A few things have led to this change in mindset.

1) Recent news reports about the plummeting birth rates and how an unbalanced work culture is the cause of it.

2) This Bible verse:
Ecclesiastes 5:5 (The Message Bible)
After looking at the way things are on this earth, here's what I've decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that's about it. That's the human lot. Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what's given and delighting in the work. It's God's gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now. It's useless to brood over how long we might live.

I realise I must be a bit careful at this point: I don't want to sound like some self-proclaimed guru of happiness. But I think certain things can, and does lead to more happy living:

1) Finding a career that you enjoy, or if you are a student: studying something you are interested in.

2) Have a life goal/vision/purpose to live/die for. Basically, its about finding meaning in the things that you do.

3) Building strong meaningful relationships with people, and with your family.

4) Making an effort towards personal growth.

5) Cutting yourself some slack, and not be over-driven.

6) Making a decision to be happy and optimistic, even when situations seem bad.

In essence, have a balanced lifestyle!