Flipping the Mirror Around

Bad days are inevitable. No matter how hard you try to be positive all the time, there will still be days when it seems impossible to be happy. One children's book I've always loved is Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day because we can all relate! We all have had days where it seems that every element of life is combining its forces together to destroy our happiness.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

But there's good news! There's a cure for the ever-looming darkness of bad day syndrome. And that cure is service!!! Now, don't start groaning. I know what you're thinking. "Service? As in serving other people? Isn't this supposed to be about helping ME?" Well I'll tell you a secret. Focusing on other people allows you to open up beyond your own personal desires and problems in order to recognize the needs of others. As a result, it makes you happy. It's a win-win; you help another person and have a positive experience in the process.

So what kind of service are we talking about here? Going out and handing out cookies to homeless people? Raking leaves for little old ladies? Reading to children in the hospital? These are all excellent forms of service, but it can be even simpler than that. Smiling at another person, giving someone a hug that needs one, and simply picking up something that someone dropped are all ways to make a person's day better. I heard a metaphor once that I really liked and I feel is worth sharing. Every day we hold in our hearts a mirror. When we first wake up the mirror is facing us. We use it to get ourselves ready, to take care of our physical and emotional needs, and to fulfill our self interests. But when we leave for the day, it's important that we turn the mirror around so it is facing others. Flipping the mirror around is one of the healthiest, beneficial, and most effectual ways to find happiness.

 To finish off the post I want to include the clip to this short video called the Kindness Boomerang. I love this video, not only because it illustrates the power of one simple act of kindness, but it also shows that when we serve other people, it comes back to us in unexpected ways.


Kindness Boomerang - "One Day"

Don't forget to smile and laugh. It's a beautiful day!

-Sarah :)