Goodness does indeed Grow!!

I love it when what I believe is supported by facts!

Here is the headline that captured my attention in today’s paper—“Good cheer flows a long way”

It summarizes research being published today in BMJ, a British medical journal. The research demonstrated that happiness not only spreads, but also that “transferred happiness is good up to a year!!”

According to Nicholas Christakis, a Harvard professor who is a co-author of the study, your level of contentment isn’t dependent on your inner resources. Happiness rubs off!

“Whether you’re happy depends not just on your own actions and behaviors and thoughts, but on those of people you don’t even know,” Christakis says.

Here are some other facts revealed about happiness…

• Happiness spread outward by three degrees to friends of friends of friends
• Happy friends of the same gender are even more powerful happiness boosters than happy spouses
• Happiness seemed to spread more consistently than unhappiness
• Money increases odds of being happy less than the impact of a happy friend

“You can save your money,” Christaks said. “Being around happy people is better.” A good (and happy!) friend is truly worth more than gold!

The element in this study that I want you to hang onto is this. Power lies in goodness. Read that third bullet point again—happiness seemed to spread more consistently than unhappiness.

Just like the ripples from a pebble tossed on still water, the power of happiness requires a source. And where do you think I’m going to suggest those three degrees of happy ripples originate? You and me, of course!

“People you don’t even know” will benefit…

During this conflicted season, with its messages of peace on earth alongside news of growing despair, share your happiness with strangers. Let your face reflect kindness. Let your actions—in traffic, at the mall, in a committee meeting—be full of patience. Let your heart open to the ones who irritate you…show mercy. A kind word…a caring glance…a happy thought. You can do it!!

Life is good. Goodness grows. Go plant some happy seeds today my friends!

If you need a soundtrack to go with your seed-planting efforts…hum, whistle or sing along with me…Gray skies are gonna clear up, put on a happy face. Wipe off that down and drear look. Put on a happy face. And spread sunshine all over the place. Just put on a haaaaaaappppy face! It’s definitely time for me to start podcasting…

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