The blessing is in the giving

Happiness is a choice. No one can make us happy. Things can’t make us happy. While they can certainly add to our happiness and bring us joy, outside forces cannot create our happiness. That is our job. Happiness is inner peace. We are the ones who get to decide how we are going to feel. Therefore, we need to decide the emotions that we want to feel each day. And then work to create those emotions. 

Every day I want to feel love, peace, and joy. Therefore, I do things that help me to create those feelings. I do acts of love for my family. I think loving thoughts toward others. I give and receive hugs. I write sweet notes for my family. In all the things I do for others each day, I do in love—not because I have to do the things, but because I want to do them. 

I used to hate cooking. The whole process was stressful for me. Until I was able to see it as an act of love. Now, I cook with love because I want to nourish my family and show them love. As I do laundry, I am grateful for each person as I fold their clothes. Because their might come a day that I don’t get to fold their clothes anymore or share meals with them. When I decide to be grateful, regardless of the circumstance, then my whole life becomes better. 

At the office, I see each patient as someone I get to serve and care for, instead of just a job. I do my best to make each one feel welcomed and cared for. I want them to leave feeling better than when they arrived. 

When I stop thinking about myself all the time and turn my attention to others and how I can help them in some way, then my life is so much better. The Bible tells us that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). 

I don’t worry about other people taking advantage of me. It is my pleasure to serve them in some way. I try to be the kindest person that I know and give as much love as I can give. The first person it helps is me. The more I give the more God blesses me, and the more I desire to give. 

Of all the things I have been blessed to buy, nothing compares to the gift of being able to help someone else. When our heart is connected through the spirit of the Lord is the most precious moment. Nothing compares to that kind of joy. I have learned if I want to help myself, then I need to help someone else. 

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