Happiness isn’t a ready-made concept but comes from our own actions. 
We don't need to make happiness an elusive goal to reach but can take the actions required for the art of simple living.

Happiness Is Not Bought But Crafted

Self Improvement

Morning is a time of the day that we need to be alive, awake and practice mindfulness. 
Get away from all your distractions in the morning and take a deep breath, reconnecting with the immediate environment and breathing in the morning air.

The Morning Air

Nothing is more beautiful than the loveliness of the woods before sunrise.

<ul>
<li>To get something new in life, we must first identify the stuff that has fulfilled its purpose and discard it with folded hands of gratitude.</li>
<li>To calm your inner turmoil, remove the outer things that unconsciously are the reason for your stress.</li>
<li> Let go of all your unnecessary material possessions as well as the physical and mental baggage you are carrying.</li>
</ul>

Minimalism: Discard What You Don’t Need

<ul>
<li>To tell someone what you really feel about them is incredibly freeing.</li>
<li>Instead of holding on to unhealthy situations and relationships due to fear, obligations or ‘being in the good books’, we need to live with a light heart and should have the freedom to be at peace. </li>
<li> If we detach from people who feel toxic or a burden to us, we begin to feel truly free.</li>
</ul>

Emotional Catharsis

Any development we see was at first just an idea. We all were born naked and did not have the possessions, the hair, the clothes, and the relationships that formed as we reached our adulthood. We started from nothing and inside nothing (zero) there lies infinity.
One has to know that one has limitless potential and start from the first principles, pressing the reset button and starting the game again to pursue the seemingly impossible.

Everything Is Just An Accumulation

The past mostly regrets, and the future is anxiety and worry. The only thing that is real is the present moment, and the art of mindfulness delves into the present, instead of being in dreams or illusions.
Our breath connects us to the present moment, like an anchor. By focusing on our breath, we eventually become mindful by default and live in the Now.

Be In The Present Moment

<figure><img alt="Image for post" src="https://miro.medium.com/max/500/1*IUtQm-qdeHpd8E8woL3Luw.jpeg" width="785" height="511"></figure>In this confusing and chaotic world, happiness sometimes seems like an impossible goal to reach. Yet as much as we lament about the troubles of our time, contentment is always within our grasp.In the wise words of the Dalai Lama,<BLOCKQUOTE>‘Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions’</BLOCKQUOTE>If that’s the case, which actions should we take to secure a lifetime of peace and joy? Knowing where to begin on our journey to fulfilment can be difficult, but thankfully, we can learn a lot from the simple lessons that form the foundation of Japanese culture.Instead of going out of your way to seek the extraordinary, what if you could instead live in a more carefree and peaceful way by making subtle changes to your regular everyday life?That’s what this article is all about. The art of simple living, as advocated by the Japanese.<h1 data-selectable-paragraph="">Embrace the Morning Air</h1>There’s something magical about the early morning — that short period of time during which the entire world seems to be sleeping and we’re the only person on the planet. And yet, as wonderful as it is, how often do we actually rise to embrace the morning air?The same process repeats itself every single day, waiting to be witnessed. The sun rises, light returns and, before long, the worker bees return to their many duties as the world awakens. Morning is the only time of day when we can truly experience these changes.More, when we wake early to embrace the morning air, we inadvertently hone another important skill: mindfulness. Simply by taking a moment to put down all distractions, take a deep breath and reconnect with the world around us, we practice being in the here and now.As George Washington Carver put it,<BLOCKQUOTE>‘Nothing is more beautiful than the loveliness of the woods before sunrise.’</BLOCKQUOTE>Waking early might not sound like such a grand change to make, but this isn’t about making grand changes. It’s about connecting small components to create a spectacle of peace.So let’s begin our journey towards happiness by making time to savour the most peaceful time of the day — the early morning.<h1 data-selectable-paragraph="">Discard What You No Longer Need</h1>Often the cause of our misery is that we feel as though we’re lacking something, be it a new car, promotion or loving spouse. But before we begin craving more, doesn’t it make sense first to part with the things we don’t need?The practice of decluttering is a fundamental part of simple living. Japanese author Marie Kondo popularized this idea with her bestselling book ‘The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up’. In it, she writes the following:<BLOCKQUOTE>‘The process of assessing how you feel about the things you own, identifying those that have fulfilled their purpose, expressing your gratitude, and bidding them farewell, is really about examining your inner self, a rite of passage to a new life.’</BLOCKQUOTE>The first step to a simple and peaceful life is to remove from it the things that make you feel stressed. As Paulo Coelho put it, ‘If it doesn’t add to your life, it doesn’t belong in your life.’ It’s hard to truly relax when you’re surrounded by things you don’t need.Living simply isn’t just about discarding material possessions, though. It’s also about letting go of physical and mental burdens.<h2 data-selectable-paragraph="">Emotional Catharsis</h2>It’s amazing how refreshing a good cry can be. In the same way, it’s incredibly freeing to tell a person how we truly feel about something or confront a problem that’s been weighing us down for a long time. That’s what letting go is all about.The act of discarding and detaching from mental and physical burdens is, of course, more difficult than it sounds. It can be very hard to cut ties with people we hold dear to us. But how long can we go on perpetuating unhealthy relationships and situations?If we want to improve the way things are, to live with a lighter heart and the freedom to be at peace, we must start by discarding that which doesn’t serve us— even if it is difficult. The moment we begin to detach, we allow a new feeling of abundance into our lives. Then and only then can we truly be free.<h1 data-selectable-paragraph="">We’re All Born Completely Naked</h1>Another common tenet of the Japanese art of Zen is the idea that all great things come from nothing. What is now groundbreaking was once just an idea.We’re all born completely naked. No clothes, hair, possessions, relationships. We started with nothing. There are infinite capabilities within all of us. Inside nothingness, there is limitless potential. But how do we actually unleash this potential of ours? How do we make the most of our capabilities?It all starts with actively boosting your belief in yourself. That is, to believe that you’re capable of extraordinary things and to take action.If you’re a writer, write more. If you paint, paint masterpieces. Don’t allow your dreams to take a backseat or neglect to believe in your own abilities. Give yourself the benefit of the doubt. Pursue the impossible.<h1 data-selectable-paragraph="">Be Present</h1>As humans, we only ever live in this moment — in the here and now. No matter how much we think about and contemplate the past and the future, really, all we ever have is the present.Mindfulness, the act of being present, is a fundamental element of Zen living. But actually being mindful is often trickier than it sounds.One of the simplest ways to train yourself to live mindfully is to begin with the breath. As author Shunmyō Masuno puts it:<BLOCKQUOTE>‘We inhale, and then we exhale. The moment we inhale is the present, but once we exhale, it has already become the past.’</BLOCKQUOTE>Our breathing is like an anchor. In moments during which we feel anxious or afraid, worried about the past or future, we can reconnect to the present by focusing on our breath.By repeating this practice, eventually, mindful living becomes our default. We live permanently in the now. After all, what is most important is this day, this hour and this moment. Nothing else needs to concern us.<h1 data-selectable-paragraph="">The Takeaway</h1>As complex as the puzzle of happiness may at first seem, finding contentment doesn’t need to be such a monumental task. It’s just a matter of adopting a mindset that works for you rather than against you.There are many lessons to be learned from the Japanese art of Zen. From the simple act of embracing the morning air to the more troubling task of detaching from that which doesn’t serve us, happiness is a matter of mind.It takes time and commitment, indeed, but the pursuit of satisfaction is always worth it. And often, it’s simpler than we might expect. As the Zen monk and teacher Shunryu Suzuk put it,<BLOCKQUOTE>“Zen is not some fancy, special art of living. Our teaching is just to live, always in reality, in its exact sense. To make our effort, moment after moment, is our way. In an exact sense, the only thing we actually can study in our life is that on which we are working in each moment.”</BLOCKQUOTE>To live, always in reality. That’s the key.<h1 data-selectable-paragraph="">Before You Leave</h1>I run a daily newsletter <a href="https://thedailygrind.substack.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" dir="ltr">The Daily Grind</a> where I send out tips to creatives and entrepreneurs about success, wellness and honing their craft.If that sounds like you, follow <a href="https://thedailygrind.substack.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" dir="ltr">this link</a> to sign up.

In this confusing and chaotic world, happiness sometimes seems like an impossible goal to reach. Yet as much as we lament about the troubles of our time, contentment is always within our grasp. If…

In this confusing and chaotic world, happiness sometimes seems like an impossible goal to reach. Yet as much as we lament about the troubles of our time, contentment is always within our grasp.

In the wise words of the Dalai Lama,

‘Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions’

If that’s the case, which actions should we take to secure a lifetime of peace and joy? Knowing where to begin on our journey to fulfilment can be difficult, but thankfully, we can learn a lot from the simple lessons that form the foundation of Japanese culture.

Instead of going out of your way to seek the extraordinary, what if you could instead live in a more carefree and peaceful way by making subtle changes to your regular everyday life?

That’s what this article is all about. The art of simple living, as advocated by the Japanese.

There’s something magical about the early morning — that short period of time during which the entire world seems to be sleeping and we’re the only person on the planet. And yet, as wonderful as it is, how often do we actually rise to embrace the morning air?

The same process repeats itself every single day, waiting to be witnessed. The sun rises, light returns and, before long, the worker bees return to their many duties as the world awakens. Morning is the only time of day when we can truly experience these changes.

More, when we wake early to embrace the morning air, we inadvertently hone another important skill: mindfulness . Simply by taking a moment to put down all distractions, take a deep breath and reconnect with the world around us, we practice being in the here and now.

As George Washington Carver put it,

‘Nothing is more beautiful than the loveliness of the woods before sunrise.’

Waking early might not sound like such a grand change to make, but this isn’t about making grand changes. It’s about connecting small components to create a spectacle of peace.

So let’s begin our journey towards happiness by making time to savour the most peaceful time of the day — the early morning.

Often the cause of our misery is that we feel as though we’re lacking something, be it a new car, promotion or loving spouse. But before we begin craving more, doesn’t it make sense first to part with the things we don’t need?

The practice of decluttering is a fundamental part of simple living. Japanese author Marie Kondo popularized this idea with her bestselling book‘The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up’ . In it, she writes the following:

‘ The process of assessing how you feel about the things you own, identifying those that have fulfilled their purpose, expressing your gratitude, and bidding them farewell, is really about examining your inner self, a rite of passage to a new life.’

The first step to a simple and peaceful life is to remove from it the things that make you feel stressed. As Paulo Coelho put it, ‘If it doesn’t add to your life, it doesn’t belong in your life.’ It’s hard to truly relax when you’re surrounded by things you don’t need.

Living simply isn’t just about discarding material possessions, though. It’s also about letting go of physical and mental burdens .

It’s amazing how refreshing a good cry can be. In the same way, it’s incredibly freeing to tell a person how we truly feel about something or confront a problem that’s been weighing us down for a long time. That’s what letting go is all about.

The act of discarding and detaching from mental and physical burdens is, of course, more difficult than it sounds. It can be very hard to cut ties with people we hold dear to us. But how long can we go on perpetuating unhealthy relationships and situations?

If we want to improve the way things are, to live with a lighter heart and the freedom to be at peace, we must start by discarding that which doesn’t serve us— even if it is difficult. The moment we begin to detach, we allow a new feeling of abundance into our lives. Then and only then can we truly be free.

Another common tenet of the Japanese art of Zen is the idea that all great things come from nothing. What is now groundbreaking was once just an idea.

We’re all born completely naked. No clothes, hair, possessions, relationships. We started with nothing. There are infinite capabilities within all of us. Inside nothingness, there is limitless potential. But how do we actually unleash this potential of ours? How do we make the most of our capabilities?

It all starts with actively boosting your belief in yourself. That is, to believe that you’re capable of extraordinary things and to take action.

If you’re a writer, write more. If you paint, paint masterpieces. Don’t allow your dreams to take a backseat or neglect to believe in your own abilities. Give yourself the benefit of the doubt. Pursue the impossible .

As humans, we only ever live in this moment — in the here and now. No matter how much we think about and contemplate the past and the future, really, all we ever have is the present.

Mindfulness, the act of being present, is a fundamental element of Zen living. But actually being mindful is often trickier than it sounds.

One of the simplest ways to train yourself to live mindfully is to begin with the breath. As author Shunmyō Masuno puts it:

‘We inhale, and then we exhale. The moment we inhale is the present, but once we exhale, it has already become the past.’

Our breathing is like an anchor. In moments during which we feel anxious or afraid, worried about the past or future, we can reconnect to the present by focusing on our breath.

By repeating this practice, eventually, mindful living becomes our default. We live permanently in the now. After all, what is most important is this day, this hour and this moment. Nothing else needs to concern us.

As complex as the puzzle of happiness may at first seem, finding contentment doesn’t need to be such a monumental task. It’s just a matter of adopting a mindset that works for you rather than against you.

There are many lessons to be learned from the Japanese art of Zen. From the simple act of embracing the morning air to the more troubling task of detaching from that which doesn’t serve us, happiness is a matter of mind.

It takes time and commitment, indeed, but the pursuit of satisfaction is always worth it. And often, it’s simpler than we might expect. As the Zen monk and teacher Shunryu Suzuk put it,

“Zen is not some fancy, special art of living. Our teaching is just to live, always in reality, in its exact sense. To make our effort, moment after moment, is our way. In an exact sense, the only thing we actually can study in our life is that on which we are working in each moment.”

To live, always in reality. That’s the key.

I run a daily newsletter <a dir="ltr" href="https://thedailygrind.substack.com/" rel="noopener nofollow">The Daily Grind </a>where I send out tips to creatives and entrepreneurs about success, wellness and honing their craft.

If that sounds like you, follow <a dir="ltr" href="https://thedailygrind.substack.com/" rel="noopener nofollow">this link </a>to sign up.

Bite‑sized knowledge
to upgrade
your career

4 Zen Principles That Will Change the Way You Think

Happiness Is Not Bought But Crafted

The Morning Air

GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER

Minimalism: Discard What You Don’t Need

Emotional Catharsis

Everything Is Just An Accumulation

Be In The Present Moment

5 Zen Principles To Live By

6 Awesome Zen Stories That Will Teach You Important Life Lessons

How to Be Happy: 25 Habits to Help You Live a Happier Life

Bite‑sized knowledgeto upgradeyour career

4 Zen Principles That Will Change the Way You Think

Happiness Is Not Bought But Crafted

The Morning Air

GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER

Minimalism: Discard What You Don’t Need

Emotional Catharsis

Everything Is Just An Accumulation

Be In The Present Moment

5 Zen Principles To Live By

6 Awesome Zen Stories That Will Teach You Important Life Lessons

How to Be Happy: 25 Habits to Help You Live a Happier Life

Bite‑sized knowledge
to upgrade
your career