THINK DIFFERENTLY TO LIVE HAPPILY Everyone wants to be happy in life . The popular belief is that happiness comes from fame and material possessions. Seldom does one think differently from others and believe that happiness comes from within. If one chooses to be different from the rest, no matter what others think, say or ridicule, he or she can be really happy in any given circumstance. In this sense, people can be broadly categorized into two types: those who choose to do different things and those who choose to think and do things differently. Gregory Berns, a professor of Psychiatry, in his book Iconoclast advises to do three things to be creative and happy. First, see things differently from other people - see what others do not see. Second, conquer your fear of failure, of unknown and of ridicule. Third, be socially intelligent and figure out how to get people interested in your ideas. There are so many ways you can think and do things differently. As a start, begin to question the same old monotonous way of doing things. Create new and powerful ways to do things and be an innovator. Put forth new innovative ideas and be creative. As a seeker try to enter into a deeper and better understanding of the world in which you are planted. As a leader discover your uniqueness and courageously live your individuality. Finally remember what Suzy Kassem, an American author said, Be different. Be original. Nobody will remember a specific flower in a garden loaded with thousands of the same yellow flower, but they will remember the one that managed to change its colour to purple What is important is to know that if we keep on doing things in the same way, the results will also be the same and not different. Successful people did things differently and achieved results. Similarly being happy is the outcome of what you think about you and your ability and not what others think about you and your ability. Break the stereotype. Start seeing life as an ongoing process in your control. Live and just don t exist. Ashok Director, Rotary International (2007-09) Trustee, The Rotary Foundation (2009-13)