Finally 2012 is upon us (almost) and we will know for sure whether we, humans, will exist at the end of the year or not. Prophecies and predictions apart, 2012 promises to be a exciting year with lots and lots of changes in store – some good and some bad and some that has the potential to become super bad.

Topping the Super Bad list would obviously be the scary end of human civilization conspiracy theory. But then again, we will know only around Dec 21st, 2012. So there is plenty of time to argue, debate and fight.

Looking back at 2011, it has been a fabulous year of sorts with highs and lows. Everything that has a happy ending always has something opposite. So here are some of the Highs and Lows of 2011 that happened in India and tried to shape/influence the average Indian Citizen.

Some of the Lows of 2011 in India

1. the obvious choice would be the the insanely comical ignorance of Social Media by the UPA Government (aka) #Idiotkapilsibal
2. Restriction of or at-least trying to Censor Internet and Free Speech.
3. 2G Scam and mammoth proportion of it.
4. Inflation
5. Death of Sathya Sai Baba, MF Hussain and Steve Jobs.
6. FDI dhamaka and the shortsightedness of our politicians – ruling and opposition.
7. Japan’s earthquake/tsunami tragedy and Sikkim earthquake.

Some of the Highs of 2011 in India

1. India winning the World Cup – this surely has to be the obvious choice. After 28 years of waiting, this is a dream come true.
2. Rise of Anti-Politician and Rise of Anna Hazare – The people of India truly came alive after a frail old man took the fight to the parliament. Tired of corrupt, incompetent politicos year after year, election after election, the common man found a leader in Anna Hazare and truly made their frustrations known in one form or the other.
3. Chennai are the Super Kings of IPL-4 for the 2nd time.
4. Death of Osama Bin Laden.
5. Arab revolution
6. Rise of Amma and downfall of Appa as we prefer to call it down south!
7. Prosecution of those accused in 2G scam – while this is not yet over at-least a step in the right direction has been taken. in 2012 we will know if this remains a high or becomes yet another low in our effort to fight corruption and crime.

In the meantime Wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Warner Bros has unveiled a brand new poster for “The Dark Knight Rises,” hinting that Bane (Tom Hardy) will put an end to Batman (Christian Bale).  Check it out below. The movie is set to hit theaters on July 20th, 2012.

credit: worstpreviews.com

People around you make you depressed. There are thousands of people who take antidepressants. And think about the number of divorce cases arising out of unhappy marriages. Most of the people are unhappy because they have not attained what they want. Material wealth, awards, high positions they all bring you transitory happiness.

Some tips to give you a dose of happiness
First and foremost, prepare your mind and body to enjoy the ‘JOY’ of happiness. Happiness is the ‘nectar’ desired by all but found by some and enjoyed by very few. Those people who are grumbling all the time hardly notice the presence of ‘happy moments’ in their lives. These people have such slippery souls that the ahaat of good moments just slip away unnoticed.

Here’s what you should do:

• Love yourself: Happiness is inside you, so if you have low self-esteem it is hard to feel happy. You can’t have a meaningful relationship with others if you are not happy with your own self.
• Find a purpose: You need to find a purpose, for which you live for. When you have a purpose, life is more meaningful.
• Learn to let go: In order to be happy you must let go of your negative thoughts and beliefs. Letting go of previous hurts; letting go of things which are beyond your control;
  letting go of your negative emotions and letting go of your attachment to your desires.
• Live in the moment: Today is what matters. Always say to yourself, “Just for today I will be happy.” Do whatever you are doing right now, as if it was the most important task in the world. You don’t worry about the future, neither you do complain about what is past. You see things as they are. The most important moment is the here and now.
• Smile often: Laugh wholeheartedly. Remind yourself to put on a smile every day by choosing to think happy thoughts.
• Connect with happy people: Mix and mingle with happy people. Negativity attracts negativity, while happiness will attract happiness. Reduce interactions with friends who think negatively.
• Always be looking up: Happy people never buckle under pressure. Adversities make them stronger. “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an opportunist sees the opportunity in every difficulty,” Winston Churchill said.
• Take responsibility: Donʼt allow others to take decisions for you. Take responsibility by seeking information on how best you can make a decision for yourself.
• Serve others: You must give in order to receive. We are all here to serve others. It is a universal law in the flow of energy. Energy needs to circulate. To allow more happiness
  in, send more happiness out.

Happiness is not something owed to anybody in the world. Nobody is handed joy on a platter. Instead, you make your own happiness. Happiness is an attitude. It is habit gained from daily experience.  The only way to happiness is to keep your heart free from hate and mind from worry. Expect little from others, give much to the world and live simply. Fill your life with affection, love and good words.

as published in womens era magazine
image credit – http://www.theminimalists.com/