Commit to putting your values into action day in and day out until they become second nature, building resilience to respond well when hardship inevitably comes, allowing you to claim agency and reflect your values.
Focus on living in the present moment, taking seriously what you experience right now, as this is the greatest way to find happiness, rather than planning for happiness in the distant future.
Conduct an ‘alien observer’ exercise by imagining an alien watching you for a day, observing how you spend your time and what your headspace is, to reveal your actual priorities and recalibrate your life.
Actively eliminate or ‘set fire’ to practices, rituals, or habits that take you away from your goals or core values, such as love, even if it means stepping away from addictive behaviors for a period.
Cultivate generosity in children by having them keep only one or two birthday presents and donate the rest, or by allowing them to choose charities to donate to, as generosity is a real driver of happiness.
When serving others, prioritize their needs and comfort, showing up for them in a way that meets the urgency of the moment without making it about your own desire to feel good.
Implement a daily practice of taking ten seconds to observe strangers and see their humanity, fostering a sense of familiarity and moving beyond feelings of strangeness.
When experiencing hate or discrimination, choose to engage with the person by seeing their humanity (e.g., like a student), sharing why their words are hurtful, to potentially educate them and reclaim your agency.
Acknowledge that the ’light’ of inherent value and the capacity to challenge darkness resides within you, and actively work to see, recognize, and embrace this inner light.
Contribute to challenging darkness through your actions, even if they seem small, understanding that your individual effort can inspire others to act and collectively create a positive impact.