Bhutan’s Secret: To A Life Of Happiness.

In terms of anxiety, depression, alcohol, and drug use, China and India rank in the bottom three countries in the world.

Yet ​Bhutan, a kingdom sitting between these nations; counts happiness among its prime concerns. Higher even than their GDP.

In Bhutan; far from being a taboo subject; death is all around you. It's a part of daily life.

Their belief is:

To my mind, pondering death to achieve happiness makes no sense. If anything, it would do the opposite. Nonetheless, for a few weeks I tried thinking about death. What their world would be like without me. How I'd prefer to be remembered.

I did this for a minute or so, whenever I remembered to, While washing up, driving, or walking the dog.

It surprised me to find it wasn't distressing. ​But it wasn't an easy thing to make a habit of, and I kept forgetting.

Then, at the cinema, I decided to give meditating death my full attention (Maleficent 2. Not a fan). For myself, this prolonged effort did the trick.

Since then, I've kept the habit up. Not always five times a day, but more often than not.

I don't think it made me happier. At least, not directly. But, it has had a profound effect on my life. By encouraging me to make myself happier:

Be More Content.

• I don't own a mansion.
• I don't drive a Range Rover.

That's OK, because these are just things I don't have. By thinking about what I'd lose, I've become more focused on those things I do have.

Be More Honest.

• By imagining a time when I've run out of opportunities, I've become more conscious that I don't ever want to miss any.​
  
• By not trying new things which scare me, I could be missing out on something amazing.
• By not speaking up or voicing my opinion, I'm losing opportunities to contribute.

Get Things Done.

Wills, letters for those you'll leave behind. Such things are important. They shouldn't be left until the end of your life. ​I can't believe how comforting it is, to have now started putting these in place.

A Sharper Perspective.

It's made me determined that my deathbed is not a place for regret. It will be used only to catch my breath, and for a moments reflection on a fulfilled life.

We know eating five fruit and veg a day promotes good physical health. Could contemplating death become a similar healthy practice?
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• One to nourish emotional wellbeing.
• One to help eliminate life regrets.
• One to encourage a better life.

A five-a-day for the soul.

You can even download an app to do the reminding for you:

https://www.wecroak.com/

Some scary thoughts in exchange for happiness.
Worth it?
Tell me ...