Things that Happy People Do

This blog is probably the least original of all my blogs because I am going to direct you to this site:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/pressure-proof/201210/10-things-happy-people-do-differently

I find the article intriguing because large part of what had been said can really be common sense and another large part of it comes down to what we know would make us happy. Translated into a Christian perspective, I guess there is much in this article that is spoken of in one way or another in the bible.

I am going to digress from this article and ask what would really make me happy and I can tell you that sometime it could be the smallest things in life that we often don’t take notice of.

One of the things that I know that make me really happy is when Nathan wakes up, the first person he calls is “papa” and not “mommy”. I guess it broils down to being jealous of Josie such that whenever it happened, I feel a certain amount of smugness.

What really is happiness then?

Each one of us have different “trigger” that would cause a feeling of happiness to occur in us and generally speaking, for most of us, it could be receiving praise from other people for a job well done.  Therefore, my next question is what would you do to make others happy?

The verses that come to mind are:

Luke 6:30-32
³⁰ Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. ³¹ Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. ³² If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. (NASB)

I guess for me, this is one aspect of happiness that most people neglect, making others happy.

In the article by Paula Davis-Laack, it does say “They know it’s good to do good” and added that “Acts of kindness help you feel good about yourself and others”. Nothing wrong with the statement and premise but I would personally add that “They know it’s good to do good that makes other people happy”.

From the verses in Luke 6:30-32, wouldn’t you want other people to make you happy? Then make others happy! Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. I must confess that often, I make other people angry and I guess in return, I get angry as well and this is one aspect of my life that I would like to change but honestly, I find it very difficult to change. I am not trying to excuse myself but I really do find it difficult and it shows in the way I drive. I complain that people that don’t wave thank you when you give way to them on the road but should that be the reason for not giving way to people.

I guess if I really want to make myself happy, I should really make sure that I want to make others happy based on what is said in Luke 6:30-32.

Sigh… I got a lot of work to do then… but He will show the way.

In Him We Trust.