One sure way to happiness is to do at least one selfless act a day. I am talking about something that does nothing for yourself and is 100% for someone else. Days, weeks, and months go by where you may operate in the world where people are only concerned with number one. Sure, you take care of your family, and you are selfless there, but that is not what I am talking about. It is easy to be selfless for your family. That is not where this selfless act will make the huge difference. The huge difference is in doing the selfless act for someone you don’t know, or for someone you are not close to. This seems more like a sacrifice, and sacrifice can bring about big change.
Let me share an example of something I recently did for others…
Bounce, Bounce, Stop…
I was driving to the chiropractor the other day when this H3 Hummer was pulling a big trailer full of stuff a few cars up from me. This guy was obviously moving, I think out of our neighborhood, and apparently had put this big pink ball on the back of his trailer. Well, wouldn’t you know it? The wind made the ball fly out of the trailer, eventually landing and sitting in the middle of the road. I was a ways back, so I was able to see the ball come out, but far enough away that it was no danger to me as it slowly stopped rolling into the middle of the road. I easily could have drove around it and left it for someone else to handle. But then I thought…what if this ball causes an accident? What if I didn’t take the 30 seconds to stop and do something about it? That was enough to convince me to stop, look around to make sure no other cars were coming, and then go to the ball. I ran quickly to it and toe-poked it into the ditch. Problem solved!!!
As I drove off, I ended up at the stop light down the road, right next to the guy with the trailer who was turning left. Fortunately, I was able to get him to roll his window down, and let him know he lost the ball and where it was. He thanked me and said he would go back for it. Well, that was a Friday. Sunday, on my way to church, the ball was still in the ditch. What if I hadn’t moved it? What would have happened? We will never know, but I can tell you that this simple, selfless act can make a big difference. It surely made me happier knowing I did the right thing.
Takeaway
I felt good being the person who stopped and moved the big pink ball. Many, if not most people, would drive right by. Instead, I took the time and did a good thing…and felt happier for it. The opportunity to do something selfless is everywhere. You could push a cart back up to the store for the cart guy or gal busting their butt working; you could donate an hour of your time to a worthy cause; or you could do something as quick and simple as pay for the person’s order behind you in the drive-thru line. These are all simple sacrifices that can go a long ways towards your happiness. Try to do something selfless today and reap the benefits and joy of touching someone else’s life.