Jacqui Fernandez Naturopath, Nutritionist, Psychotherapist & Counsellor
  • Home
  • About
    • Testimonials
  • Services
    • Naturopathy
    • Herbal Medicine
    • Diet & Nutrition
    • Psychotherapy & Counselling
    • Clinical Testing
    • Products
    • FAQ
  • Programs
  • Blog
  • Appointment & Fees

My tips for Happiness in 2018

25/10/2018

 
My tips for happiness in 2018. Written by Richard Branson.​

I’m often asked: What is the key to success? My answer is always simple: happiness. Happiness should be everyone’s goal, but I understand that it can seem out of reach, with many, for instance, affected by mental health problems that alter their outlook on life. A few years ago I wrote the following letter for Mind’s book: Dear Stranger, Letters on the subject of happiness.
I re-read it recently and was struck by how much the words still ring true, so I thought I would republish the letter in the hope that my words can help others find the true happiness they deserve in 2018.
Dear Stranger,
You don’t know me but I hear you are going through a tough time, and I would like to help you. I want to be open and honest with you, and let you know that happiness isn’t something just afforded to a special few. It can be yours, if you take the time to let it grow. It’s OK to be stressed, scared and sad, I certainly have been throughout my life. I’ve confronted my biggest fears time and time again. I’ve cheated death on many adventures, seen loved ones pass away, failed in business, minced my words in front of tough audiences, and had my heart broken.
I know I’m fortunate to live an extraordinary life, and that most people would assume my business success, and the wealth that comes with it, have brought me happiness. But they haven’t; in fact it’s the reverse. I am successful, wealthy and connected because I am happy.
So many people get caught up in doing what they think will make them happy but, in my opinion, this is where they fail. Happiness is not about doing, it’s about being. In order to be happy, you need to think consciously about it. Don’t forget the to-do list, but remember to write a to-be list too.
Kids are often asked: ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ The world expects grandiose aspirations: ‘I want to be a writer, a doctor, the prime minister.’
They’re told: go to school, go to college, get a job, get married, and then you’ll be happy. But that’s all about doing, not being – and while doing will bring you moments of joy, it won’t necessarily reward you with lasting happiness.
Stop and breathe. Be healthy. Be around your friends and family. Be there for someone, and let someone be there for you. Be bold. Just be for a minute.
If you allow yourself to be in the moment, and appreciate the moment, happiness will follow. I speak from experience. We’ve built a business empire, joined conversations about the future of our planet, attended many memorable parties and met many unforgettable people. And while these things have brought me great joy, it’s the moments that I stopped just to be, rather than do, that have given me true happiness. Why? Because allowing yourself just to be, puts things into perspective. Try it. Be still. Be present.
For me, it’s watching the flamingos fly across Necker Island at dusk. It’s holding my new grandchildren’s tiny hands. It’s looking up at the stars and dreaming of seeing them up close one day. It’s listening to my family’s dinner-time debates. It’s the smile on a stranger’s face, the smell of rain, the ripple of a wave, the wind across the sand. It’s the first snow fall of winter, and the last storm of summer.
 
There’s a reason we’re called human beings and not human doings. As human beings we have the ability to think, move and communicate in a heightened way. We can cooperate, understand, reconcile and love, that’s what sets us apart from most other species.
Don’t waste your human talents by stressing about nominal things, or that which you cannot change. If you take the time simply to be and appreciate the fruits of life, your stresses will begin to dissolve, and you will be happier.
But don’t just seek happiness when you’re down. Happiness shouldn’t be a goal, it should be a habit. Take the focus off doing, and start being every day. Be loving, be grateful, be helpful, and be a spectator to your own thoughts.
Allow yourself to be in the moment, and appreciate the moment. Take the focus off everything you think you need to do, and start being I promise you, happiness will follow.
 
Happy regards,
 
Richard Branson

Comments are closed.

    Categories

    All
    2022
    Acid Alkaline Balance
    ADHD
    Affirmations
    Ageism (Defying)
    Alcohol
    Alcohol And Its Effects
    Allergies And Reactivity Program
    Allergy And Reactivity
    Allostatic Load
    Anti_inflammatory
    Anxiety
    Archetypes
    Art And Healing
    Arthritis
    Autoimmune
    Bee
    Brain
    Brain Health
    Breaking Cycles
    Bristol Stool Chart
    Bullying
    Burnout
    Candida
    Celebrating Life
    Children
    Choices And Consequences
    Chronic Disease Building Resilience
    Clinical Functional Testing
    Clinical Services
    Coronavirus
    Dementia (Tackling)
    Depression
    Design Your Life
    Detox - Art And Science
    Detox & Disease
    Detox For Health
    Diabetes
    Dietary Fiber
    DNA
    DNA Clinical Testing
    DNA Nutrition & Fitness
    DNA Testing
    Domestic Violence
    Eating For Health
    Endometriosis
    Family Violence
    Fascia (The Missing Link In Body Movement)
    Fatigue
    Finding Peace Amongst The Chaos
    Flower Essence Therapy
    Food
    Food Feast
    Garden (From My)
    Gout (The Genetics Of)
    Grief And Healing
    Grief And Loss
    Guidelines For Healthy Eating
    Gut - Brain Axis
    Gut Microbiomes & Metabolites
    Health Kit
    Healthy Weight Detox Program
    Heart Health Matters
    Herbal Medicine
    How To Create A Vision Board
    I Am Woman
    Inflammatory Bowel Disease
    Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
    Inner Critic
    Intuition And Authentic Self
    Iridology
    Iridology Non-invasive Diagnostic Tool
    Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    Kickstart Your Health & Wellbeing
    Kidney Health
    Law Of Pure Potential
    Lazy (The Art Of Being)
    Letting Go
    Living An Empowered Life
    Long Covid
    Low Gylcemic (GI) Diet
    Mangoes
    Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
    Meal Preparation And Planning
    Medications
    Medicinal Cannabis
    Menopause
    Mental Health Wellbeing
    Microbiome
    Miscellaneous
    Money
    Musculoskeletal System Disorders
    (NHAA) Naturopathic Symposium Gala Dinner 27 05 2023
    Obesity (The Real Causes)
    Oxalates
    Pelvic Floor
    Perception
    Perimenopause
    PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)
    Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
    Preconception And Pregnancy
    Psychosomatic Disorders
    Quotes
    Recharge Your Spark
    Red Flags
    Reflections From Under The Shade Of An Old Oak Tree
    Relationships
    Righteous Anger
    Safety Plan
    School Readiness
    Seasons
    Self Care Tips
    Self Compassion
    Shake It
    Simple Abundance
    Simple Wellness
    Skincare
    Sleep (Lack Of )
    Sleep Problems
    Spiritual Practices & Meditation
    Sport (Relative Energy Deficiency)
    Spring 2022
    Stress
    Sunshine And Music
    Super Spring Specials On Gut Repair - 2024
    The Gift Of Winter 2023
    The Important Of Healing Yourself
    The Long Slow Road To Empowerment
    The Power Of The Pause
    Therapeutic Action Of Medicinal Herbs
    Therapeutic Risk Vs Benefit
    Toxic Positivity
    Uncertainty
    Uplifting
    Vitamins And Minerals – Supplements
    Weight Loss Set Point Theory
    When Trust Breaks
    Winter Wellness
    Winter Wellness From Your Pantry
    Women Through Phases
    Yoga

Ballarat Business Centre
706 Sturt Street 
Ballarat Victoria

M: 0414 402 045    E:  [email protected] 
​
A member of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS)
​
Terms & Conditions. Privacy Policy
© JACQUI FERNANDEZ COPYRIGHT.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Make an Appointment
  • Home
  • About
    • Testimonials
  • Services
    • Naturopathy
    • Herbal Medicine
    • Diet & Nutrition
    • Psychotherapy & Counselling
    • Clinical Testing
    • Products
    • FAQ
  • Programs
  • Blog
  • Appointment & Fees