Several years ago the Sociology Department at Duke University did a study on “Peace of Mind.” Nine factors were found to contribute to emotional and mental stability.
1.The absence of suspicion and resentment. Nursing a grudge was the major factor in unhappiness.
2. Not living in the past. An unwholesome preoccupation with past mistakes and failures leads to depression.
3. Not wasting time and energy fighting conditions you cannot change.
4. Cooperating with life, instead of trying to either demolish it or run away from it.
5. Force yourself to stay involved with the living world. — Resist the temptation yo withdraw and become reclusive during periods of emotional stress.
6. Refusing to pity yourself or seek self-justification in easy alibis that make you appear “noble” to yourself and others.
7. Cultivating the old-fashioned virtues of love, honor, loyalty, thrift.
8. Not putting too much pressure on yourself. When there is a wide gap between the standards you set for yourself and your actual achievement, unhappiness is inevitable.
9. Finding something bigger than yourself in which to believe. Self–centered, egotistical, materialistic people score lowest of all in any test measured for happiness.
Like the Beatitudes, all good to live by and be mindful of as we review the day we just lived. Thanks.