JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. -- Get a hobby. Exercise. Eat some fruit every day. Turn off the TV. Enjoy what you have. These all sound like platitudes a parent might tell their children, right?
Listen to music. Let your goals guide you. Reminisce. Don’t forget to have fun. Laugh. Sounds like something you’d see on those cheesy motivational posters at the mall....
Believe it or not, the above clichés are actually concise guidelines assembled by psychology professor Dr. David Niven from a review of decades of scientific literature which all focused on one simple question: how can we gain authentic happiness? I strongly recommend his published work, The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People, as a how-to guide for anyone looking to experience positivity on a daily basis (and to counteract the pervasive negativity in today’s society). His common-sense findings definitely won’t shock the world, but they serve as a good reminder that we already know how to create our own happiness. But far too often we find ourselves chasing things which only offer temporary positive emotions, sacrificing enduring contentment for transitory euphoria.
My favorite recommendation from Dr. Niven’s book is #65: “Help the next person who needs some minor assistance,” based on the random acts of kindness ideal. Seemingly minor altruistic actions, which require minimal personal sacrifice on our end, can actually help out others in a big way—and they make us feel good about ourselves in the process. Moreover, it forces us to focus on others’ needs rather than on our own (selfish) wants and desires, allowing us to choose to be more considerate, friendly, and likeable. And when everyone makes the conscious choice to be more philanthropic toward their friends, coworkers, family members, and even strangers, that is when the entire community undergoes a palpable transformation into one of joy and generosity.
- Be on the lookout for ways to lend (minor) assistance. Do you notice the needs of others around you? Or are you too focused on the task at hand, the thoughts in your head, or the phone in your hand? Try to find the opportunities all around you to support others.
- Try to help out at least one person every day. Hold the door for someone who has their hands full. Offer directions to someone who looks lost. Pay for someone’s coffee. Let someone in a hurry cut in front of you in line, or merge ahead of you in traffic. Give a sincere compliment to a stranger. Pick up that one piece of trash on the floor that everyone walks by. It doesn’t take much to brighten someone’s day, or to inspire altruism in them.
- Make kindness a habit. The more you act out of kindness toward others, the happier you’ll feel—even if those actions aren’t immediately recognized. The beauty of these “random” acts is they can actually serve you moreso than others! And if you believe in the Karma fairy, don’t be surprised when your good deeds come back to you someday.