Amid the rising cost of food and fuel and important commodities, money seems to be the only common factor to bring us comfort in these difficult times.
Let’s take a pause a little bit and deviate from serious talks about national issues. Let’s talk about our own ourselves and how we can be happy in the midst of a crisis.
Remember the movie, Pay It Forward?
Set in Las Vegas, it was a story about a social studies teacher who asked his class to think of an idea to help make the world a better place to live in. One student thought about the plan of doing simple favors and “paying it forward.”
That chain reaction of human kindness stirred a national phenomenon. The movie, released globally in 2000 by Warner Bros, grossed millions of dollars and drew rave reviews worldwide.
Putting the movie into real life, however, proved too difficult. Man’s natural tendency is to put himself first before others. People forget easily and they have their own personal problems to deal with every day.
But all is not lost to make the world, or at least the place around us, a bit better.
We can start with ourselves. Why not make yourself happy by taking the daily task of making at least one person happy. That’s bringing happiness to at least 365 people in a year.
Several inspiration-based internet sites have come up with a list of small gestures to make you feel good by doing good to others—small acts of kindness that can make a big difference in someone else’s life.
Zenhabits has 32 suggestions to make someone happy today but here are our best five:
Smile. They say a smile makes the world go round. It is contagious. And they say smile is the best medicine. Psychologists say that when you are put in a rough situation against someone, especially in road rage, smile. Surprisingly, things become calmer.
Call or send someone a message to see how he or she’s doing. Getting in touch with someone you have not seen or talked to for a long time might be a good idea, especially in your idle time. There’s also a good chance that he’s probably the answer to something that you’re planning for.
Praise someone publicly. Notice an officemate’s new hairdo. Praise him for a job well done. Let him know how proud you are of his achievement. It’s a simple act of positivity that could go a long way.
Secretly leave someone a thank you notes. Or in our modern times, send someone a private message on social media account. It really makes someone feel good to be appreciated.
If you are blessed for the day, financially that is, pay for someone’s lunch. He could be a taxi driver eating beside you at a cafeteria, or that old man on the street that you are used to seeing every day on your way to work. It will make you feel good.
There are a lot of ways to make someone happy in a day. But the secret to doing more effectively is to be happy yourself.
Just by knowing that you are still breathing and healthy is enough reason to celebrate the day. And look around you, you might probably be doing better than anybody else.
So, from this day on, commit yourself to doing the small gestures of goodness to a friend, relative, colleague, or complete stranger.
It will make you feel good, knowing that you are also doing it yourself.
Be happy.