“Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.”
This quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. is yet another way of emphasizing the importance of caring about and helping others. The women and men who I think most highly of, both those I’ve learned about who lived in the past and those who are presently living, are people who endeavored to help others. Martin Luther King, Jr., was certainly one of those people. As one of the leaders of the civil rights movement, he was courageous and selfless as he helped to bring about change that improved the lives of numerous people. Mother Teresa through the charitable organizations she founded also helped many people. Harriet Tubman through the underground railroad and in other ways enabled numerous slaves to escape the oppression that was occurring in the United States. Mahatma Gandhi through his example and approach of nonviolent resistance led to India’s gaining independence from British rule resulting in improved lives for many. And, thankfully, there have been a great many other women and men whose names can be added to this list for their efforts and the positive changes they helped to bring about.
There are also many women and men whose names are not in the history books but who had the courage and selflessness to devote themselves to working for causes that made and continue to make many people’s lives better.
Another way people’s lives are affected in a positive way is by reading the writing of capable authors–novels, nonfiction books, children’s literature, articles in publications, and so on. When we read that which is published by talented writers, our lives are enriched, we gain in knowledge, and we broaden our life experience. In addition to having writing ability and creativity, effective writers also have self-discipline, patience, and perseverance. Because they have these qualities, those of us who read their works gain from their efforts. I believe what I’ve said about writers also applies to those who compose music. Through their work they also add to the happiness of others.
Finally, King’s words apply to each one of us as we interact with others. With our spouses or partners, our children and grandchildren, extended family members, friends, and coworkers. With people we know and with people we do not know. When there are ways we can help people that lead to them being happier, naturally that will add to our happiness, as King says. And we will be living in a way that our Creator created us to live.