In the July 27 issue of “Viva”, an
Argentinian weekly publication, Pope
Francis revealed his Top 10
guidelines for achieving happiness.
He advocated for playing more,
especially with others and children,
and toning down the negativity. He
placed importance on caring for our
environment and working for peace.
Most surprising was #9,
an admonishment against religious
proselytizing.
His advice to Argentinians for finding happiness was translated into English by the Catholic News
Service.
1. Live and let live. As they say in
Rome, “Move forward and let others
do the same.”
2. Be giving of yourself to others. If
you withdraw into yourself the ego
may isolate you. “Stagnant water
becomes putrid,” he said.
3. “Proceed calmly” in life. Strive for the ability to move with kindness
and humility, along with that
calmness.
4. A healthy sense of leisure. 40
percent of Americans don’t take
vacations because they don’t want
to get behind in their work. The
same fear goads us into checking our
phones constantly. Studies show
that taking real vacations and
leisurely weekends prepare you
better for problem-solving and
creativity. It leads to happiness too.
The pope said parents must set aside time to play with their children, even if schedules are full, and turn off the TV during dinner so you can talk to one another.
5. Sundays should be holidays.
“Sunday is for family,” said the
Pontiff, who wants a day-off for all
workers.
6. Young people should be able to
work. “We need to be creative with
young people. If they have no
opportunities they will get into
drugs,” he said. “It’s not enough to
give them food.” Dignity is given
them when they are rewarded for
one’s own labor.
7. Respect and care for nature.
Environmental degradation is like
mankind committing suicide, he told the Argentinian reporter, and called it “one of the biggest challenges we have.”
8. Stop being negative. “Needing to
talk badly about others indicates lowself-esteem. That means, ‘I feel so low that instead of picking myself up
I have to cut others down,’” the pope
said. “Letting go of negative things
quickly is healthy.”
9. Don’t proselytize; respect others’
beliefs. “The worst thing of all is
religious proselytism. The church
grows by attraction, not
proselytizing: ‘I am talking with you
in order to persuade you,’ No.”
10. Work for peace. “We are living ina time of many wars (so) the call for
peace must be shouted. Peace
sometimes gives the impression of
being quiet, but it is never quiet,
peace is always proactive”.
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