Treat yourself well

Author: Abe Bernstein
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
Features: Life should be an experience filled with passion, not a long and arduous struggle. Be patient with others and kind to yourself, and you will find that every day is truly special. You can use this book in the following ways to guide your happiness:
1. Follow the suggestions daily and treat it as a book that systematically guides you toward a happier life.
2. Read it selectively.
3. Repeat the most effective suggestions.
4. There’s no limit to how long you should spend on each suggestion—take as many days as you need.
5. Adapt the suggestions to your personality.
6. Cross out any advice that doesn’t resonate with you.
7. Keep this book with you and open it impulsively, picking a suggestion at random.
8. Start a happiness book club with your family, friends, or acquaintances. Meet once a week, each person choosing one suggestion to implement, and then discuss the results the following week.
If you want to use this book systematically, I recommend reviewing it at least a week in advance to decide which suggestions to follow and when. Some suggestions require planning—such as using public transportation—while others can be done spontaneously—like renting a funny movie. Some may take more than a day—such as cleaning out your closet—while others can be done in just an hour—like sitting at a café. Don’t let the dates on the calendar limit you; it’s not important at all. You can implement any suggestion on any day, though some, like taking a walk in the rain, depend on the weather.
At the beginning of each month, there’s a short essay intended to serve as a guide, explaining the connection between the daily suggestions and "Mindfulness and Happiness." Another way to capture the essence of this book is to choose suggestions that differ from your usual lifestyle. If you’re someone who meticulously plans every detail of your actions, you should close your eyes and flip to a random day and follow that day’s suggestion. If your life is already chaotic and you rarely make plans, then challenge yourself to follow the book in order each day. Your life will gradually gain structure, and your mind will awaken.
Some suggestions may make you feel reluctant to face them—don’t force yourself, but don’t be afraid to take a risk. To experience life more deeply and enjoy it fully, you need to expand your horizons. And when you do this with an open mind and persistence, it becomes effortless. This process is like physical training—initially, you’ll feel sore, but if you don’t give up, the pain will fade, and both your body and mind will benefit.
You might read through all the suggestions but never try any of them (please don’t do this). Well, that’s okay too. Even though you didn’t reap the full benefits of this book, at least it introduced you to a different perspective on life. But I assure you, if you take it seriously and try many of the methods in this book, you will live a happier and more fulfilling life. You’ll discover that creating a joyful life isn’t a daunting or insurmountable challenge—it’s simply a series of small, manageable steps you can take.
This is a "happiness calendar," and under its guidance, you can do one thing each day, embark on a small adventure, and gain a new experience, all while living a happier life. By reading this book and putting it into practice, you’ll find that creating a joyful life isn’t as difficult as it may seem. Be kind to life, be kind to life itself, and above all, be kind to yourself!