Turning Your Life Around for a Better Future

Can you turn your life around and secure a better future? Yes, but only if you are willing to diligently accumulate good deeds and cultivate kindness. This article explores the paths to personal transformation and happiness based on Liao Fan’s teachings and modern psychological insights.

Good Deeds and Kindness

According to Liao Fan’s Four Pillars of the Ming, the path to change is through various good deeds. Scholar-magistrate Yuan, Liao Fan’s life-changing example, serves as a beacon. If you are committed to accumulating good deeds, you can indeed transform your life.

Categories of Merit

Start by identifying the ten categories of merit mentioned in Liao Fan’s text (page 121). You can engage in actions such as helping others, giving to charity, or volunteering. Each act of kindness not only benefits others but also contributes positively to your own character and future prospects.

Seeking Help and Embracing Positivity

Turning your life around is not a solitary journey. Ask for support from your family, friends, and professionals. Life circumstances can be challenging, but with positive thinking and the right help, you can achieve lasting change.

According to a famous quote, if you fall down, try to land on your back. This means preserving your strength and determination. Keep your eyes focused on your goals and strive to push forward. With perseverance, help will eventually come, and you can keep moving towards your objectives.

The Happiness Formula: A Scientific Perspective

To understand the factors that contribute to our well-being, let’s delve into the 'Happiness Formula.'

LIFE IS GOOD SET RANGE LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES VARIABLES

Life is Good refers to the deep-down feeling of satisfaction with your life. Unlike momentary happiness, which is fleeting, this feeling of contentment is more lasting and profound.

Set Range

Our set range is influenced by genetic factors. Studies have shown that we all have a 'happiness thermostat,' which determines our baseline level of happiness. This set range keeps your happiness from soaring too high during positive events and dipping too low during negative ones. Approximately 50% of our Life is Good feeling is determined by this genetic factor.

Life Circumstances

While 50% of our happiness is determined by our genetic set range, another 10% can be influenced by external circumstances. Positive life changes that can affect your happiness include:

Living in a wealthy democracy Marrying Avoiding negative events and emotions Building a rich social network Engaging in religious practices

However, these factors also come with significant challenges and are often difficult or even impossible to achieve. For example, changing one’s race, moving to a sunnier climate, or acquiring more education have little impact on happiness.

Variables

The remaining 40% of our Life is Good feeling is determined by variables that we can control, such as:

Engaging in meaningful activities Pursuing personal interests and passions Building close and supportive relationships Practicing gratitude and mindfulness

These factors have a greater impact on our happiness than external circumstances and are more within our control. By focusing on these aspects, you can lead a more fulfilling and satisfying life.

The Hedonic Treadmill and Perseverance

Though we have the potential to increase our happiness through variables, the 'Hedonic Treadmill' poses a challenge. This concept describes our tendency to adapt quickly to pleasurable situations, diminishing their impact over time.

To counteract this, it’s essential to constantly seek new ways to engage and find joy in life. Engage in activities that fully utilize your strengths and interests. By doing so, you can build a more meaningful life and improve your overall well-being.

Conclusion and Action

By integrating good deeds into your life, setting positive intentions, and focusing on the variables that influence your happiness, you can create a better future for yourself. Seek support, stay positive, and apply the lessons of Liao Fan and modern research to make lasting changes.

Remember, change is possible, but it requires your commitment to good deeds, kindness, and perseverance. Start today, and watch your life transform for the better.