Never mind the Jones'

As we face into a global recession, I have a very simple, but hugely effective happiness tip for you: stop trying to keep up with the Jones's!

Stop comparing yourself with others, not just in terms of what you have, but also in terms of who you are and what you do.

Here in Ireland, our recession is coming hot on the heels of unprecedented economic success and prosperity. Never in the history of our state did we have it so good as during the last decade. At least from a materialistic perspective.

But from a values perspective, in my opinion, we were experiencing more poverty than prosperity. Greed was the name of the day, and we totally lost the run of ourselves. Ignoring the "doom and gloom merchants" who warned it couldn't last, we mortgaged our lives to the hilt - buying the trappings of happiness, and putting it all on the credit card.

Now we're entering into a scary period - but there is a silver lining! This is the perfect opportunity to reassess your life and get in touch with what really matters. But this means you have to stop looking around you. It's time to look within.

Happiness comes from being true to yourself, and that is the polar opposite of keeping up with the Jones's. Instead of looking at what your friends and neighbours are being, doing and having, look into your heart and ask yourself what do you need to be, do and have. What do you really need?

Do not afraid to be different. Do not look to fit in. We're all on a unique path and our lives do not have to be the same. In fact, many of those that look the same from the outside are nothing at all alike on the inside. So don't worry about yours looking different on the outside - it doesn't mean you're failing, it means you're being true to yourself, following your own path.

Do not be seduced by the superficial. The acquisition of material possessions, and even the achievement of many goals, brings merely a fleeting contentment. There is a far greater, more lasting satisfaction and contentment to be achieved from the quality of your relationships, from your personal creativity (however you express that), from doing the best job you can (no matter what that is).

Focus on what really matters. Get in touch with the life that will truly make your heart sing. Appreciate the small things that make life truly meaningful and memorable. Instead of competing with the Jones's, befriend them. Allow them to live their lives as they see fit, and you live yours in your own way.

"Once conform, once do what others do because they do it, and a kind of lethargy steals over all the finer senses of the soul." ~ Michel Eyquem de Montaigne

Don't worry about what others think. Just be yourself.