Choose Happiness

Embracing a positive mindset.

- Reema Bansal

Recently, I came across an image with the words, R en bed 'Choose happiness', inscribed on a tiny blackboard. I felt quite impressed with the simplicity and depth of the message and ended up posting it on my own social media, too. Happiness, indeed, needs to be, has to be, chosen.

Our college had undergone NAAC peer team visits for two days, and the weeks and months leading up to the D-days were quite hectic. Yet, everyone had merrily accepted and gladly discharged the assigned duties. So, when everything went smoothly and well, the lady staff decided to have a mini-outing both to celebrate that and commemorate International Women's Day, a living example to opt for happiness...

It might occur to one that this is just another way of saying that experiencing gratitude or, looking at the silver lining, whatever the circumstances, works in favour. Well, yes, it is that, but it is a lot more, as well! It entails thoughts, faith, actions, constant striving and a dash of self-love. More on each of these:

Revamping the Thoughts

There is a special type of therapy offered in the realm of psychology, that is called cognitive therapy. It was propounded by the renowned American Psychiatrist Aaron Beck (1921-2021). His tenets emphasise that if cognitive distortions are corrected, much mental suffering can be alleviated.

So, if we start keeping a note about these thoughts via self-observation, it will pave the way for replacing them with healthier and more productive thoughts. Therefore, here are a few examples of cognitive distortions: