I like to do things for other people. It makes me feel good. Even if they don’t appreciate my offer to help, I still love the feeling I get from just being there if they need a hand.
Helping others and being a pleasant person is my personal addiction.
It wasn’t always this way. I used to think pretty much about myself only, determined to protect what I had and to get more of everything I wanted.
What a pity I didn’t realize sooner how empty of a life that can be.
There isn’t enough stuff in the world for me to get that will ever replace the joy of making someone else’s path in life a little easier. It’s not even the big things that matter; being courteous and thoughtful and considerate is more than enough.
Maybe it’s just where I live, but these traits don’t seem to be all that common anymore.
But I’m here to help change that, one kind deed at a time.
I like feeling happy. Helping others is the quickest shortcut I have discovered to access that feeling.
Even watching others extend random acts of kindness makes me happy. As I was writing this, a lady came into the coffeeshop I am in and gave the employees a gift. She said it was for the excellent service they provide and how they make the experience of coming here a real treat. She was so genuine that it made me as happy as the employees were.
If I owned a company, I would pray that my employees had this effect on my customers. It also inspired me to take the time to really let others know when they are making a difference in the jobs they do.
Best thing is that it never has to cost a dime. Unless you want to help out by sharing a bit of money or buying a gift, it isn’t necessary. Looking around and actually seeing how those around you are doing is the first step.
Then offer to give something, whether it is a hand to help carry something, a seat on the subway, or just a kind smile. That is all it takes to make someone’s day a little brighter.
Being happy is contagious. After a while, when you make happiness your default emotion, you will notice little things like how much people brighten up in your presence. It’s nice to be a source of joy instead of another dark cloud polluting the space of all it rolls past.
Even in a room full of dark clouds you can maintain your own energy signature of joy and be in a position to help alter the mood of others at the same time.
I can’t be miserable enough to make you happy. You can’t be miserable enough to make me unhappy. It works both ways.
Why do we choose to indulge in feelings that don’t bring us a sense of peace and joy?
Affixing your emotions to the environment around you and needing it to be a certain way for you to find happiness seems like an immense waste of time. Nothing positive is accomplished in this way.
Don’t get to your deathbed before you realize that everything you always wanted was inside of you the whole time, and you just didn’t realize it.
It’s not the stuff, or the house, or the money that makes you happy. The emotions attached to these different things is what you are after. It always has been and it always will be.
Tell someone who is suffering from debilitating pain that they can choose between a million dollars in the bank or complete health. Probably not that tough of a decision to make. What would you do?
How about having the most handsome or beautiful wife or husband in the world, but you have nothing in common and actually don’t even like each other? Are looks really that important? Wouldn’t you rather be alone and happy than with someone else and miserable?
For me that isn’t even a question. But I like who I am so spending lots of time with just me is pleasant and not distasteful.
Are you such that you can’t even stomach being alone with you?
When I leave a room, I want people to be sad that I left. I prefer that over them being sad that I entered. It isn’t about worrying what others think, it’s about the quality of the energy that gets sent in your direction. When people don’t like you, it’s noticeable.
I guess before you can truly help others it’s important that you help yourself. Work through your stuff. Find out what actually matters to you and then conduct yourself accordingly.
And remember, if you like yourself and really want to help others, then those around you will like you too.