Spread the joy

Be so happy, when others look at you, they become happy too!

What makes you happy? What keeps you happy?

We often have a long list of things we believe will make us happy once we achieve or acquire them—a new gadget, a bigger car, a better home, a dream vacation, a higher salary, a promotion, a perfect partner, kids, new friends, more money, or other comforts that money can buy. Sometimes, we don’t mind working extra hours or sacrificing health and family time to get them.

Whatever your choice as a source of happiness, it may make you happy—but does it keep you happy? Once the novelty fades, the excitement diminishes. Don’t we start looking for the next target to bring us happiness?

I came across a quote on happiness that felt very relevant, so I’m sharing some thoughts on it.

The best feeling of HAPPINESS is when you’re happy because you’ve made somebody else happy.

Does spreading joy help us? Isn’t it a good idea to do small things regularly and experience the joy of sharing and caring by making someone happy?

We don’t need to move mountains to make someone smile. Look for an opportunity to make at least one person happy today. It could be a friend, spouse, child, parent, sibling, relative, neighbor, colleague, co-passenger, maid, driver, helper, security guard, shopkeeper, or even a stranger on the road. There are countless ways to bring a smile to someone’s face—we just need the intention. And often, it doesn’t cost money or much time.

Some examples:

• Genuine smile
• Courteous greetings
• Saying Thanks
• Sincere compliment
• A small help that suits the situation/ person:
• Open the door for others
• Hold their bag
• Press the lift button for them
• Give a flower
• Get a cup of coffee
• Buy some sweets/ chocolate
• Cook a favorite dish
• Share a meal
• Hold a place for them while commuting
• Listen to their story
• Give a drop or a ride
• Advise, if they ask on any specific matter
• Show empathy
• Crack a joke (good-humored)
• Give an unexpected call
• Share some good reads
• Be there for them

Would you take on this challenge to make someone smile—just one person per day for a month? The first month of the new year is almost over, so this might be the perfect time to start something simple and meaningful that benefits both you and others

—Anitha KC