Billions More Chances To Be Happy

“If I am only happy for myself, many fewer chances for happiness. If I am happy when good things happen to other people, billions more chances to be happy!”  – Dalai Lama

Being unhappy because of someone else’s success is a miserable and ugly way to feel. When a person is feeling envious of another person’s success they are feeling a complete lack of appreciation for their own self-worth. They are failing to appreciate that every person has their own special gifts and unique talents.

On the other hand, a person who can be genuinely happy for others successes, will themselves be happier.

We can’t allow ourselves to think that someone else is more blessed than we are.  We only get to small part of other people’s lives. We don’t know all their trials and challenges and everything they have been through. We can’t.  All we can do is recognize that someone else isn’t more blessed than we are, they are likely just blessed differently.

“Envy is a mistake that just keeps on giving. Obviously we suffer a little when some misfortune befalls us, but envy requires us to suffer all good fortune that befalls everyone we know! What a bright prospect that is—downing another quart of pickle juice every time anyone around you has a happy moment!” – Jeffrey Holland

I can’t help but giggle at the mental image of a person downing a bottle of pickle juice…if you have dealt with an envious person you know the look they are describing to a T. None of us like to encounter someone who is envious or jealous. It’s not a pretty sight to see.

We have to recognize that we can never be envious and happy at the same time. It is impossible. If we want to be happy then we must be willing to feel happy for the successes of others.

“True joy comes when you inspire, encourage, and guide someone else on a path that benefits him or her.” –Zig Ziglar

Have a great day everyone, and be happy for the good things that happen to others…remember it will give you billions more chances to be happy 🙂

~Amy

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