We begin from the recognition that all beings cherish happiness and do not want suffering. It then becomes both morally wrong and pragmatically unwise to pursue only one’s own happiness oblivious to the feelings and aspirations of all others who surround us as members of the same human family. The wiser course is to think of others when pursuing our own happiness. —Dalai Lama
As I write this, I’ve been contemplating the sadness around me. There are some who seem to live in a constant battle with sadness and depression. While I have had my own bad days and even some depressed days, I’ve been very blessed to live a joyful life. It is difficult to see sadness around me and feel happy myself. I don’t like to watch suffering anymore than anyone else. At times, I actually feel guilty for being happy. As a member of the human family, I want us all to be happy. Kind feelings toward others are part of our makeup as children of our Heavenly Father. He wants us to love one another, and that means to grieve and mourn with each other.
My guilt is not justified. It is good to be happy and to feel joy. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), I’ve been taught in The Book of Mormon, “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.” (2 Nephi 2:25)
Service instead of guilt is the answer. As we serve others, we not only alleviate their pain, but we increase our own happiness. I think that’s what Dalai Lama meant when he said, “The wiser course is to think of others when pursuing our own happiness.” The act of pursuing our own happiness is serving others. In service lies the essence of joy. The Book of Mormon also teaches, “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” (Mosiah 2:17)
It is difficult to watch the news. While wanting to stay informed, we can sometimes be overwhelmed by the misery in the world. It is true that we can’t single-handedly save the world, but we can make a dent in the sadness. We can serve those close to us and relieve their suffering. Sometimes we can’t totally end their suffering, but we can at least be near with a smile to brighten their day.
I don’t know why there is sadness in the world. Some of it comes from our own actions; some as a consequence of others. Some just comes as a natural course of our mortal existence. We are here to be tested and tried—and that requires us to pass through pain and sorrow. We must recognize that our mortal existence is only temporary. If we endure to the end, and endure it well, there will be no end to our joy. If only we could see our lives through the perspective of eternal life. Our mortal existence is such a small about of time to endure compared to the eternities. That thought alone should bring us great joy.
Today as I look around me, I’m taking a personal inventory of sorts. My life is full of people who make me happy. They make my life better. Some of those people are not currently happy themselves. I’m making a list of that group and committing myself to bring some happiness into their lives. I’m going to need to develop a plan. Some people live close to me, while others do not. It will take some creativity. I may have to enlist the help of others in my plan. I’m going to have to schedule my time to accommodate the accomplishment of the plan. I’ll need to keep focused in order to complete the mission. There will be times when I won’t be successful in making someone happy—but at least I will have tried. I am committed to giving it my best effort.
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When I finish with my first list, I anticipate a third, fourth, and fifth list of people to serve. There should be a never-ending list of people for me to serve, as there will always be those in need of service.
As I pursue my own happiness by extending service to others, I’m confident that I will forge bonds with those whom I serve. I hope I can bring happiness and joy to their lives. Maybe they will find in themselves the courage to move onward and upward. Hopefully, we will help each other to find a way hang on to the good moments life has to offer. Will you join me in this effort? Will you pursue your own happiness by serving others?
Tudie Rose is a mother of four and grandmother of ten in Sacramento, California. You can find her on Twitter as @TudieRose. She blogs as Tudie Rose at http://potrackrose.wordpress.com. She has written articles for Familius. You will find a Tudie Rose essay in Lessons from My Parents, Michele Robbins, Familius 2013, at http://www.familius.com/lessons-from-my-parents.
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