Sunday, January 18, 2009

making others happy

"Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

There is a reason we do volunteer work, bring flowers to a friend in the hospital, or buy a special gift for someone we love when we're out shopping: It makes us happy. Sometimes, in fact, being kind and considerate to others actually benefits us more than the people we're helping.

Even if our activity starts out as a chore or an obligation, rather than something from the heart, it can become a joy to us, as well as to those who benefit from our efforts.

Is there something I can do to delight another person today? It doesn't have to be big or spectacular. A simple message expressing how much I appreciate someone's friendship can be very powerful.

taken from The Daily Book of Positive Quotations by Linda Picone

9 comments:

Ken Duck Geraths said...

As always you are right. I have and do help out when I can. I have my favorite place to help but I don't stop there. and yes it does often help me more than them, that's why we continue to do it I think.

Karen said...

You're right on with this. So often what starts out as being a chore is the very thing we need to do to be happy that day.

Momma Roar said...

I so needed to read this right now.

Thank you!!

akawest said...

I a truer quote has never been written. Thanks for the reminder.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for finding inspiration from The Daily Book of Positive Quotations!

Anonymous said...

Mark Twain and Diana are right on target!

MightyMom said...

I love it! Love the Twain quote of the day too!!

I've found myself thinking of all the volunteering I would like to do once the kids are grown up a bit and I'm (hopefully) working DAYS.....I just miss so many opportunities right now. I'm keeping a list actually so that I won't forget and get lost in my troubles once I DO have some time.

Christine said...

So many people have helped us in the last two years. I am happy when I can give some back.

Lori said...

Loved this post.
I too love to do things for others to make them happy.
What a blessing that is.