Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Finding Happiness By Giving It To Others


--by sherryberry, posted Jan 18, 2010

A young lady complained to her counselor that she felt that her whole life was empty and had no meaning to her. The counselor saw an old lady who cleaned the office floors and called her over.  She told the young lady that this old cleaning lady was happy and asked her to explain how she had found that happiness.

The old lady put down her broom and sat on a chair and told her story:

"Well, some time back, my husband died of malaria and three months later my only son was killed by a car. I was devastated.  I had nobody... I had nothing left... I could not sleep... I could not eat and I never smiled at anyone. I even thought of taking my own life."

Then one evening a little kitten followed me home from work. Somehow I felt sorry for that kitten. It was cold outside, so I decided to let the kitten in and I got it some milk. It licked the plate clean. Then it purred and rubbed against my leg, and for the first time in months, I smiled.

Then I stopped to think.  If helping a little kitten could make me smile, maybe helping people could make me happy. So the next day I baked some biscuits and took them to a neighbour who was sick in bed. And every day after that I tried to do something nice for someone. It made me so happy to see them happy. Today, I don't know of anybody who sleeps and eats better than I do. I've found happiness, by giving it to others."

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Readers Comments

jsmc10 wrote: Thank you for being there for that kitten, i'm so glad that you have found such a great way to bring happiness back into your life and others :)
Zevelina wrote: Powerful!
keshava wrote: Wonderful, how this act of kindness become a role model
RonWrite wrote: The older woman has a kind and wise heart!
nel wrote: Wow! How beautiful. Thanks
jmendoz wrote: This is a great story. Thanks for sharing. I used this example in my affective skills class to help students understand why giving is so much better than receiving. Happiness is found in giving.
Mtalii wrote: I love this. Thats great and thanks for sharing. Its satisfying to give. God bless.
AndaLii wrote: Amen to that! Thankyou for the story; so true! Blessyou.
kiteflier wrote: Yes it is so true. Thanks for sharing.
Aurelia wrote: Thanks for sharing this. It's good for all of us to read. She was at a low in her life and doing for others gave her happiness and peace. Working through her loss and pain by doing for others. What a beautiful way to live :)

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