“I cannot recount the countless paths to fleeting happiness, O Ananda. They vary from one sentient being to another. But I can tell you the cause of suffering and the means to transcend it — these are universal to all,” Lord Buddha said.

Note, Buddha speaks about fleeting happiness. All the worldly joy, pleasure, or happiness is fleeting, momentary, temporary, ephemeral, impermanent.

Buddha didn’t say, I will give you a list of things that will make you happy. Instead, he said that I will tell you the cause of your sorrow and ways to avoid it.

1) The only entity without any problems is a dead body! Everyone has some problems in their lives. Most of our problems are merely a symptom of a core problem. Introspect, identify, isolate, and pick the root issue, the one problem that matters the most, and resolve that. Avoid all the others. To avoid stress in life, refrain from reckless decisions that cost much time and effort in resolving issues that could have been avoided in the first place.

2) We must learn to endure cheerfully what cannot be cured. We should believe in ourselves, and we will gain in terms of patience, inner strength, and will power.

3) Liberation is when we intelligently accept people and circumstances as they come. Don’t be judgmental about other people, events, situations and experiences.

4) It is our inability to accept ourselves fully, with all our weaknesses and shortcomings that cause so much anguish in our lives.  Laugh at yourself, at your behavior and at your antics. Don’t take yourself too seriously.

5) Do not blame others for your sorrows and problems. We enjoy or suffer in life due to the fruits of our own past karma (action). Remember everyone’s life is shaped by one’s destiny, which has now become one’s reality. We are alone responsible for all the joys and sorrows that come in our lives, which are the result of our own past karma-s. Nothing will be gained by blaming others for our misfortune. We have the choice of continuously resenting whatever comes our way or accepting the same with equanimity.

6) Learn to say no. When we accept to do something, when someone asks us to do it, but we dislike doing it, then, obviously, we will suffer from mental acidity.

7) Don’t compare yourself with anyone in this world. If you do so, you are insulting yourself. It gives rise to unnecessary jealousy. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don’t let your neighbors set your standards. Be yourself. Don’t imitate others. Instead of being a poor imitation, be a 100% original. Quit the tiring and never-ending race of impressing others — the desire to be noticed or admired by others, the itch that the world should know how special you are. Each one of us is unique and there is much we have to offer, but yearning for fame and limelight can make the best of the best miserable.

No wonder, the great saint Kabir said, “Big deal if you give up wealth. It’s the desire for fame, it’s the ego, we can’t give up.”

8) Live within your means. The shortest route to a peaceful life and restful sleep is to live within your means. All that is required to live within our means is to lower our expectations, especially not to have any expectations regarding anything from anyone.

In worldly life, always look at the people who are less fortunate than you. Then you will always be grateful for and content with whatever you have and not crib about the things that you lack. “Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.” — Dalai Lama

Contentment is the key for a peaceful life. In spiritual life, we have to look up to those who are highly evolved to spur us on the spiritual path.

9) Have no hatred for anything or being, even for a fraction of a moment, even in a dream. Since hate poisons the soul, do not cherish hatred. We nurture grievances. This results in loss of sleep and other ailments. The insult, injury or harm was done once, but nourishment of grievance goes on endlessly by constantly remembering it. Never wallow in self-pity or resentment. To be wronged or offended is nothing unless you insist on remembering it. Never allow anyone to drag you down so low as to make you hate them. The one we hate occupies a rent-free space in our minds. Therefore, forgive everyone for everything.

10) Do not worry about what others will think. Don’t let criticism worry you. It takes great spiritual and emotional maturity to not be bothered by what others think of you. An infallible sign of enlightenment: one no longer cares what people think and say about her / him.

11) Declutter your mind and cut out past regrets and future anxieties. Focus on the present moment on things that truly matter to you. Gradually you will feel your stress melt away from your life.