“We Croak” is a popular downloadable app that is partially inspired by a Bhutanese folk saying which states that “to be a happy person, one must contemplate death five times each day.” Bhutan, a small Asian country located between Tibet and India, ranks as one of the happiest places in the world.
If you download We Croak, you will receive five randomly timed messages daily between 7 am and 10 pm. Each message serves as a reminder regarding the unpredictable inevitability of death. This is important because it reminds us of the value of taking time out to appreciate life through our actions. It is also a reminder of the benefit of contemplation, conscious breathing, or meditation. The messages are often accompanied by an inspirational quote, such as, “It is never too late to be what you might have been,” by George Eliot.
You must be wondering how such morbid messages could inspire happiness. However, We Croak’s founder, Hansa Bergwall, says that most of our unhappiness comes as a result of engaging in meaningless activities, idle chatter, and feelings of anger about things that don’t matter all that much. The messages remind us to stop and reflect on what is important to us.
Regardless of the methods we each use to inspire our happiness and the happiness of those we love, in a world where there is no guarantee of permanence, taking the time to calm our minds, can be a very meaningful exercise. It’s also a great way to find resilience when the winds of life carry us here and there.
Speaking of winds, it’s March, which means that spring is almost here. It’s a great time to get out, breathe in the fresh air, reflect on the present moment, and make the most of every day of your life.
