Thinking differently

 Thinking backwards and doing things differently is a way of life  that you can practice to hold the key to your happiness. That is, when others rush, we can still slow down; other people run after material things, we can live simply. When others may become malicious, let us remain compassionate. When people like to brag, we remain humble. Just like coffee can still be drunk with salt, bread can still be seasoned with fish sauce. There is no law of life that prevents us from being who we are.

In the book "Think Back and Be Different", the author tells a story that before the Mexican Olympics in 1968, the traditional jump of the crossbar jumper is the parallel body leaning toward the bar. But a little-known athlete has set a world record with the bar at 2.2415 meters, instead of facing down, he turned his back to the crossbar. He is Dick Fosbury, and his jump method is known to many as the "Fosbury Flop". He jumped higher than any previous athlete by thinking the opposite of everyone.”

Slowing down is the best way to stay happy and balance your energy. Meditating for 10 to 15 minutes a day will give you a sense of slowing down. Your quality of life will improve, you will feel relaxed when working, so your work also will be effective. This is also known as "Communication of mind and body".

Slow living helps us think of bigger things. Life’s goals and plans are also clearer. Focus more on what we want to do and live our lives for the same reason – to be more meaningful.

We often work continuously without taking time to consider what is right for us. Also, decisions in life sometimes do not come from one's own consciousness but are made as a default, or what people tell them to, easily leading to fatigue and inefficiency. It is not always easy to make decisions and go against the majority. It is easy to get frustrated when we are not understood, and tired of having to repeatedly explain our views and actions.

When life slows down like that, people's thinking changes, material needs also decrease, and we suddenly realize that we can focus on the things we love. It is important that we analyze what needs to be added and what to remove. Taking a moment to assess everyone's life circumstances is the best way to be sure we'll live a life with less uncertainty in the future.

Coincidentally in a "status" on Facebook, there is a sample story like this: A man lived without money for seven years in Western society, wrote books, and became famous. You can also do it if you know how to get rid of unnecessary things, such as luxury items. This is the beginning of the spirit of simplicity. You will probably have a few friends who comment negatively on your change. However, do the opposite because this is an act that inspires you to hold the key to happiness in your hands instead of giving it to someone else..

Around the world, "the less is more trend" has been adopted by many people and businesses. At the end of 2014, an article in USA Today said that restaurant chains around the world are reducing the number of dishes instead of expanding the menu to compete as before. In the unstable economic situation and the changing consumption habits of customers in the United States, cutting down on the number of dishes on the menu seems impossible, but it has become a new trend. The explanation is simple: less often than more, due to the increased quality of food, faster service and more hot dishes, attracts many diners. This is also the reason why a series of restaurant chains boldly cut their menus without worrying about customer reactions, such as the restaurant chain IHOP reducing the menu from 200 dishes to 170 dishes, the BJ restaurant chain only having 150 dishes. compared to 181 dishes before, or the Tony Roma's restaurant chain drastically cut 92 dishes on the menu down to 60 dishes.

The philosophy of “less is more” is spreading more and more widely in the restaurant industry. The vice president of market research firm Technomic, Mr. Darren Tristano, said that giving too many options will make it difficult for customers to make a decision as well as create a special memory about the restaurant.

Besides slowing down, minimizing material needs, many people are also aiming to create peace of mind. The first step is that you have to participate in charity work. Depending on your finances and skill level, you can contribute to charity programs. Going to the places of the victims of accidents or poverty, you will be grateful for what you have. In Buddhism, this is called the seed of compassion in your mind that is slowly growing .

Life can be simpler than we often imagine it to be. We should support a life without too many material things, ignore the focus on unconscious material expenditures, pay attention to connect with others, and participate in meaningful activities with the community. Most important is being aware of the decisions that affect our lives. To get on the path we've chosen, we need to make sure we're directing enough energy and attention to our priorities, as well as crossing out the things that don't keep us on that path.

Don't follow the path of the majority. It will make you very tired. Be yourself. Think differently, do differently, and take a different path to achieve the success and happiness you desire.