I have always been a deep thinker. When I was young, I watched people and I listened. I inwardly questioned why I was here. What was the meaning of my life? I consistently came up with two things: happiness and helping.
I figured out, early on, that the meaning of life is rooted in happiness. From experience, I learned that when others helped me, it made a difference. I felt grateful and relieved. I felt happy. If I was happy, then all my life challenges became a little more manageable. If others were happy, their challenges would become easier, too.
Then I knew, without a doubt, that the pathway to my happiness was to help others and make a difference – big or small. My work would make people happy. I may have seen the world naively, but I simply believed in this philosophy.
As an adult, some people tell me that I work too hard… but I do not see it that way. I am happiest when I am helping others. This means working hard makes me happy. It is a win-win situation. Helping others is one of the best, self-reinforcing and happiness producing actions in life!
There are so many ways to help others. Sometimes, the small things I do make an important difference: a supportive word, a kind smile, acceptance, letting others have first pick and giving my time. The bigger ways: going the extra mile, doing specific tasks, keeping a commitment, changing my plans to accommodate someone else are equally significant. All forms of goodness count when they are done sincerely with an open heart.
How do you make your happiness?
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