The Many Faces of Happiness

I did not fully grasp this lesson at the moment. I caught what the camera did not, the look of love and satisfaction on Xavier’s (Mario’s Oldest Brother) face as he lowered Mario’s bandanna to just above his tiny glasses. Mario stared back into his brother’s face with a joyful playfulness this photo belies. Mario’s lips curled at the corners ever so slightly while trying to remain in character for the shot. With no words spoken, Xavier’s phone sent out the click. Much to our surprise Mario straightened out the curves on his lips to match Xavier’s “Vato Loco” (crazy dude) look. An Instant classic! 

What does this have to do with your happiness? On the surface, probably not much, but imagine if you were Mario in this instant. He found happiness in Xavier’s face and therefore went along with what was happening. Mario understood if he made Xavier happy, he too would be happy. 

One of the most basic patterns we screw up on a daily basis, is the pattern of finding happiness in making others happy. We toil and turn to all sorts of other patterns such as alcohol, drugs,  prescription, shyness or otherwise. All the while missing the simple truth. You will undoubtedly  find happiness in making others happy. If you do not believe me, try it tomorrow at work.  Compliment someone genuinely, and then become self-aware of your feelings in response. It is FREE! 

Oh, I know there are some of you who are bouncing in your chair saying: yeah, but I can’t keep  making others happy when no one is trying to make me happy. I will remind you now that you  have no limit on how many times you can make people happy. Choosing to make someone  happy is an infinite possibility. There is no limit, just as there is no way for you to run out of  love. It is not like gasoline or any other finite resource. Mario reminds me daily, from the hugs,  fist bumps, and harmless teasing that no one has to come from scarcity.