Posting Happiness

I started this blog with every intention of maintaining regular and frequent updates but it's obvious to any passer-by that my posts are neither frequent nor regular. With the intention still in mind, I have perused my 'happiness' notes and come up with a few titles for future posts. Hopefully, this will motivate and inspire me to get writing more often. Have a look through the following and let me know what you think. If you have any ideas or comments about this blog, please comment!

'thank your way to happiness'

'happy are the blessed'

'the happiness of being you'

'the integrity of happiness'

'the harmony of happiness'

'the happiness of laughter'

'know sorrow - know happiness'

'the simplicity of happiness'

'barriers to happiness'

'the happy giver'

'hatred, worry, greed and moaning - the enemies of happiness'

'happiness is the key to success'

'forgive and be happy'

'the happiness of togetherness'

'healthy, wealthy and wise - and happy'

'the happiness of belief'

'the unhappiness of money'

'unhappy success'

'the happiness of contentment'

'the happiness habit'

'happiness is wanting what you get'

'happiness is not in things'

'the happiness of doing'

'make up your mind to be happy'

'the talent of happiness'

'is happiness a personality trait?'

Random Acts of Happiness

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.

~ Dalai Lama ~

At the end of the film, 'Evan Almighty', God (in the form of Morgan Freeman - who else?) appears to Evan Baxter, telling him that the way to change the world is by doing one Act of Random Kindness ('ARK') at a time. Previously, Evan had been successfully elected to Congress on the back of his slogan, 'Change the World', but, green as he was, came up against fellow congressmen whose motives were not altogether altruistic. Throughout the film, Evan's conscience is challenged by his own expectations, the demands of his colleagues - and God. There is also a beard involved - but you need to watch the film yourself.

Two things strike me about the film:

Firstly, Evan's motives are altruistic; although he seeks power, he wants it for the right reasons. He really does want to change the world and make it a better place for everyone.

Secondly, Evan has preconceptions and plans about how to achieve his goals: his life is mapped out, he is regimental about his routine, he expects things to work out. However, this 'tunnel vision mentality' leaves little room for flexibility, opportunity or surprise. Consequently, God appearing on the scene really does shake him up. (But isn't that what God is meant to do?)

Eventually, Evan discovers (with God's help) that changing the world doesn't require monumental government-driven schemes, but the right attitude, a belief in oneself and the balls to do something differently without giving a tuppence for what anyone else thinks. And, although it doesn't say so explicitly in the film, Evan (and a whole lot of other people) are happier because of his change of mentality. His driven-ness changed and he responded more to real and concerning events than to his own idea of a plan.

The whole world needs kindness but it seems in short supply, especially given the driven nature of 21st century commerce and industry, which leaves little time or space for what makes people happy - people strive for happiness in their spare time and often miss.

Miss or miss out? Perhaps the latter: we miss out on opportunities to be kind, to be random in our kindness, to find that happiness is in the very act of being kind rather than the fruitful search for happiness. Perhaps we should encourage each other to be a little more random and liberal with our kindness: who cares who the beneficiary is? If it changes a life, it changes the world.

One of my all-time favourite quotes is from one of my favourite thinkers, Plato:

'Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.'

It's true. None of us really knows what the other person is going through: only as much they are prepared to wear on their shirt sleeves. All of us are fighting battles of one kind or another. Everyone of us would benefit from a small act of kindness every day. Each of us can also be that benefactor - it doesn't take much. Aesop, that great story-teller and teacher, states:

'No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.'

And the Dalai Lama proposed that we:

'Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.'

He also stated a practical application:

'If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.'

Not that I am the resident expert, but I can honestly say that I am happier when I am kinder. Booker T. Washington found the same:

'I began learning long ago that those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.'

So, will you join with me in applying the lessons Evan learnt and being a little more random in our kindness and finding that, in fact, random acts of happiness lead to random experiences of happiness?

How have you experienced someone else's random act of kindness?

How have you proved that random acts of kindness create happiness?

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Thanks for reading...