The Virtuous Spiral Of Happiness
Look deep into the spiral. Look deep! Calm your mind. Breathe slowly. Say to yourself, "I will be happy.” Yes. That's it.
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The secret to happiness1 has two complementary and interconnected parts: 1) Find happiness in the happiness of others and 2) accept joy when it is offered back to you. These two concepts play off each other. You can’t really have one without the other. They create a Virtuous Circle Of Happiness:
It’s a 3 step process:
Step 1: FIND HAPPINESS IN THE HAPPINESS OF OTHERS
This is simply being happy for other people when they find whatever it is that makes them happy. If they are happy, yay! You are happy. It doesn’t really require any effort on your part. Just… be happy for them. When you find happiness in others - and you acknowledge that - they will show happiness back to you. You must accept that joy.
Step 2: ACCEPT JOY WHEN IT IS OFFERED BACK TO YOU
When someone is happy for your own happiness, appreciate that. If you are happy, yay! They are happy. Again, it doesn’t require much effort on your part. Just be happy they are happy for you. When you accept that joy, you are making them happy. You must then be happy for their happiness.
Step 3: REPEAT
Go back to Step 1.
But here’s the thing: It’s not so much a circle. That’s just kind of a wheel that turns on itself. Finding happiness and accepting joy is more tumultuous. They tumble all over each other. It's like two kittens wrestling in a basket. Picture it. Picture it2! The more that you tumble over each other, the easier and more satisfying it is. It’s more like an outward growing spiral.
To get a true feel for it though, it shouldn’t be stagnant. It should turn. So, whatever screen you are looking at this with right now, spin it.
Actually, hold on. I should be able to do this for you. Behold!
Look deep into the spiral. Look deep! Calm your mind. Breathe slowly. Say to yourself, "I will find happiness in the happiness of others and accept joy when it is offered back to me.” Yes. That's it. Open your heart. Breathe. When you finish this article you will go into this world and find happiness in the happiness of others and accept joy when it is offered back to you. And your kindness will be legendary!3
According to me.
PICTURE IT!
Did that work? Are you hypnotized? I can't tell from here. If that worked, let me know. Oops. I didn’t put in a way to snap you out of it. Oh well, I really don't want anyone to ever snap out of it anyway. But, damn, I should have hypnotized you to share this with others. Well, too late now.