Pope Offers Tips for Happiness

Don't be a self-centered know-it-all, says pontiff
By Newser Editors,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 30, 2014 2:10 PM CDT
Pope Offers Tips for Happiness
Pope Francis smiles as he waves to faithful at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, June 11, 2014.   (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pope Francis is out with a new 10 Commandments of sorts, but this list, given to the Argentine weekly Viva, is all about how to be happy. A sampling, as rounded up by the National Catholic Reporter:

  • 'Live and let live': This is the pope's No. 1, and it should be a guiding principle for all, he says. He cites another phrase with a similar theme, "Move forward and let others do the same." Similarly, he urges people not to "proselytize," but to respect others' beliefs and to have conversations about them.
  • 'Be giving of yourself to others': Because "if you withdraw into yourself, you run the risk of becoming egocentric. And stagnant water becomes putrid."

  • 'Healthy sense of leisure': Parents, play with your kids, he advises. Our frenetic, consumer-oriented culture robs us of simple pleasures like that. On a related note, shut off the TV during dinner.
  • Don't be negative: If you're always bashing others, it doesn't speak well of you. That attitude suggests that "instead of picking myself up I have to cut others down,'" says the pope. "Letting go of negative things quickly is healthy."
  • Respect nature: The damage humans are inflicting on the environment is a modern scourge, says Francis. "I think a question that we're not asking ourselves is, 'Isn't humanity committing suicide with this indiscriminate and tyrannical use of nature?'"
Click to read his full list. (More Pope Francis stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X