by Nick Roy

 

 

It’s an obsession. You think it’s beautiful, and you want it, then you start to see it everywhere and all you want to do is get rid of it. You can do away with latest fancy phones and gadgets. They fetch you nothing substantial but a deep hole in your pocket.

 

Buddha will tell you as will all other monks – real happiness comes from within. As we age and grow old, we increasingly find ourselves getting attached to so many things that the idea of right to freedom sounds rather delusional. We attach ourselves to superficial objects, opinions, acceptance, time, money and so many other inconsequential things that the idea of being carefree, unattached and therefore happy seems like a lost cause. However, if you let go of every attachment and burden, you will find yourself liberated. So, what are you waiting for?

1. Parents’ money

It doesn’t matter where you come from. It doesn’t matter who your father is. And it certainly doesn’t matter how much property your dad has locked in your name. If you can’t fend for yourself, you’re just an ignorant fool. You understand the world better only when you start earning yourself.

2. Exes

Wise words they are but truer in every sense- what’s done is done. What’s in the past is in the past. Don’t be pathetic and cling on to your ex. They’re not in your lives anymore, and it’s for a reason. Hold on to that reason instead and move on. A better life is calling you.

3. Prejudices

Think about it – men wear the pants in the house, or a married man’s opinion matters more than a single man’s opinion, prejudices are everywhere. Whether you were raised with them or grew around them, take a look around and see what you’re judging. Let go of prejudices as they add no worldly value to your life.

4. Social media

The bane of modern man’s existence, social media has slowly crawled into our lives, taken us captive and is now ruling our lives. From fights to break-ups, passivity to obesity – the root cause of every problem is being addicted to social media sites. Learn to live without them; your life will be much simpler.

5. Latest/expensive gadgets

It’s an obsession. You think it’s beautiful, and you want it, then you start to see it everywhere and all you want to do is get rid of it. You can do away with latest fancy phones and gadgets. They fetch you nothing substantial but a deep hole in your pocket.

6. Peer pressure

Society, your colleagues, friends and everyone in general are like black holes. They will try and suck you in. You’d have to fit in, adjust your lifestyle and be affable to annoying people – only in the name of peer pressure. A happy man is the one who can resist this and live in his own distinct way.

7. Bad television

They might be mildly entertaining, perhaps your guilty pressure, but bad television will suck the life out of you. Four hours spent on watching the pretentious Keeping Up with the Kardashians or the vapid Jersey Shore are four hours that you’ll never get back.

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Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.