Make Someone Happy

“Make Just One Someone Happy.  And You Will Be Happy To.” – Jimmy Durante.  I love that song btw.  If you haven’t listened to it in a while you totally should listen to it again. It’s fabulous.

This last week I have been so grateful to all of my daughter’s dear friends who have come by to visit her in her rented hospital bed here at our house.  I have watched as one after another they have come by to drop off notes, and treats, and just to give her a hug and spend a few minutes taking her mind off her surgery and recovery.  As I pondered on the events of last week I just felt compelled to share how impactful we can all be on another person when we take the time to add cheer to their life.  It is amazing to see the difference that giving a little bit of encouragement can have on another persons life.  A little encouragement can pick someone up, make them feel loved, remind them of who they truly are, and add sunshine to someone’s rainy day.  And giving that encouragement doesn’t have to cost money, or even a lot of time…yet it can be a tremendous blessing to others.

I want to share a story someone once sent to me called Two Men:

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn’t hear the band – he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Days and weeks passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it for himself.

He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, “Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.”

————-

There is tremendous happiness that comes to our own lives when we take the time to make others happy.  Despite any hardships we may be facing, the quickest and easiest way we can increase our own happiness level is to make someone else happy.  So today’s challenge is to spread a little joy to someone else’s life. Encourage them.  Compliment them. Smile at them.  Make them laugh.  Give them a hug.  Then prepare for the happiness to come right back at ya!!!

~Amy

2 Comments

  • Brenda Quarles says:

    Encouragement can be better than medicine if given in the right dosage!!! I love this incredible story.

    We are praying for your daughter’s speedy recovery.

  • Louanne says:

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