The Best Way to Make Yourself & Others Happy

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. ~Winston Churchill

We live in a give-and-take society. When we give, we usually expect to get something in return. But sometimes we give for the sheer joy of giving. We don’t expect anything in return. It just makes us feel good to know that our giving has made a positive impact; it has helped in some way or it has made someone happy.

A devastating tornado hit close to where David and his family lived but they were very fortunate that they didn’t get much damage. However, only miles away there was severe destruction along the path the tornado touched. David and a few volunteers quickly went to see if they could offer their help to the families in need. They spent the next couple weeks cleaning, painting, rebuilding homes and lives. David sacrificed many hours of his time but when he looked into the teary eyes of those they helped and saw such gratitude and hopefulness, it was all worth it.


When we give freely and what we are able, we usually find that we have more to give than we had realized. We might have our service and help to give, as well as our time, attention, or finances. When we give our best and we give it willingly, we can’t help but get something in return and often that something is happiness.

Affirmations:

No matter how big or small my giving is, it enlarges my capacity for happiness.

I will PRACTICE happiness today….by giving freely and cheerfully.


Empowering Thoughts:

Give to the world the best you have and the best will come back to you. ~Madeline Bridges

Give cheerfully and freely. It is the energy behind the giving that matters so do not give grudgingly. ~David Gikandi

There is more happiness in giving than receiving. ~Acts 20:35






Copyright © 2011 Krystal Kuehn and Violet James, New Day Family and Couples Counseling Center. All Rights Reserved. 

Happiness is Found in Giving was taken from 55 Words of Inspiration for a New Day  by Krystal Kuehn and Violet James



Krystal Kuehn, MA, LPC, LLP, NCC is a psychotherapist, author, teacher & musician. She is the cofounder of New Day Counseling, a family marriage counseling and child teenage counseling center, BeHappy4Life.com, an award-winning, self-help and inspirational site where you can find hundreds of free resources, insights & words of inspiration to change your life, and Baby-Poems.com where you can find beautiful baby poems, baby quotes, cute sayings & baby videos that will touch your heart & increase your joy & gratitude for the children you love & enjoy! Krystal is also author of The 10 Keys to Happy and Loving Relationships and several blogs: Give Thanks Journal, Baby Poems blog & Be Your Best blog.




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Christmas Joy: A Story of a Modern Day Santa Claus

There are three stages of man: he believes in Santa Claus; he does not believe in Santa Claus; he is Santa Claus. ~Bob Phillips

The holiday season can be one of the most beautiful and loving times of the year. It is a magical time when our hearts are more open to give and think of others. Whether it is gifts, donations, or kindness, our giving brings us much of the joy we experience and associate with Christmas.

A man recently told me of an unexpected encounter he had with a homeless couple. He was on his way to work and planned to make a quick stop at a hardware store. As he walked in he saw a young man and woman carrying what appeared to be all their belongings in bags. He made brief contact with the couple and learned that they were on their way to the local homeless shelter. They were with a large group and had missed their ride when they made a stop. They asked the man for a ride. When he told them he was unable to give them a ride, they asked him for a couple of dollars for the bus. He gave it to them and wished them well. After he walked into the store, he had a strong desire to turn back to do more for them. He believed the couple was being truthful with him. He didn’t know how they got into the situation they were in, but his heart went out to them. He turned around and put a large bill into the young man’s hand. In complete surprise and gratitude, the young man began to weep and hugged the man who helped them. To this homeless couple, he was like Santa Claus; yet, he was an unexpected stranger who crossed their path and shared God’s love with them. That day, this modern-day Santa Claus brought some hope into those people’s lives and much joy into his own. Modern day Santas are some of the jolliest people around!

There is something magical about giving. It blesses everyone involved. Christmastime is one very special time, and one of many that we have to spread the good cheer and make someone’s day, week, month, or life brighter. Don’t wait until a special occasion to bring joy to others. Now is the time to give, love and experience some Christmas magic!


Somehow, not only for Christmas,
But all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others,
Is the joy that comes back to you.
And the more you spend in blessing,
The poor and lonely and sad,
The more of your heart's possessing,
Returns to you glad.
~John Greenleaf Whittier

The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others' burdens, easing other's loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas. ~ W. C. Jones

 
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ~Norman Vincent Peale

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love. ~Hamilton Wright Mabi



Copyright © 2010 Krystal Kuehn andViolet James, BeHappy4Life.com,   All Rights Reserved.



Krystal Kuehn, MA, LPC, LLP, NCC is a psychotherapist, author, teacher & musician. She is the cofounder of New Day Counseling, a family couples counseling and child teenage counseling center, BeHappy4Life.com, an award-winning, self-help and inspirational site where you can find hundreds of free resources, insights & words of inspiration to change your life, and Baby-Poems.com where you can find beautiful baby poems, baby quotes, cute sayings & baby videos that will touch your heart & increase your joy & gratitude for the children you love & enjoy! Krystal is also author of several other blogs: Give Thanks Journal, Baby Poems & Be Your Best blog and The 10 Keys to Happy and Loving Relationships (kindle version from amazon, also available in pdf format).


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How Much Are You Worth Today?

Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. ~Bill Bradley

Opportunities to give and help are everywhere. If we just look around us, someone somewhere could use a kind word today. Someone needs to know that they are loved.

Someone is struggling financially and there is something we can do to help if even a little. Someone simply needs a hug. Someone wants to be heard and given some time and attention.

It might cost us time, money, stepping out of our comfort zone, or sacrificing our own needs, but the rewards of giving are priceless. When we give, we reap the joy of of seeing a bright smile, laughter, tears, joy, and gratitude. Giving is one of the best way to share our joy, love, and goodness for life!

I’d like to share a story with you that I believe is a great illustration of the value of giving, loving, sharing, and doing today!

A rich man once asked a friend, "Why am I criticized for being miserly? Everyone knows I will leave everything to charity when I die." "Well," said the friend, "let me tell you about the pig and the cow. The pig was lamenting to the cow one day about how unpopular he was."

"People are always talking about your gentleness and kindness," said the pig. "Sure you give milk and cream, but I give more. I give bacon, ham, bristles. They even pickle my feet! Still, nobody likes me. Whis is this?" The cow thought a minute, then replied, "Well, maybe it is because I give while I am still living."

I love that story! Is it any wonder why everyone loves the cow? It's not how much the cow gave, but the very fact that the cow gave what it could here and now. The pig boasted about how much he would give when he died and that was his excuse for being miserly in the present. The pig was missing out on so much joy that comes from giving that he envied the cow's popularity. What a great lesson to learn and apply about giving and making a difference today, while we still can!

Following are several questions to help you reflect on your giving:

* Would others describe you as a giver, taker, generous, miserly? Why?

* When was the last time that you gave someone a gift, compliment, your time, or anything? How did it make you feel?

* What was your attitude in giving? Did you hope for or expect a particular response or reaction?

* Do you feel people owe you something when you give to them?

* Can you be more giving? How? What are you waiting for?

You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. ~ Kahlil Gibran

Giving is the lifeblood of happy living. ~ Todd Parrish

I encourage you to bless someone today.
And may you be blessed with the true joy of giving!


Copyright © 2008, 2010 Krystal Kuehn, New Day Counseling Center. All Rights Reserved.

The manner in which it is given is worth more than the gift. ~Pierre Corneille

It is more blessed to give than to receive. ~Acts 20:35

 
Krystal Kuehn, MA, LPC, LLP, NCC is a psychotherapist, author, teacher & musician. She is the cofounder of New Day Counseling, a family marriage counseling and children counseling center, BeHappy4Life.com, an award-winning, self-help and inspirational site where you can find hundreds of free resources, insights & words of inspiration to change your life, and Baby-Poems.com where you can find beautiful baby poems, baby quotes, cute sayings & baby videos that will touch your heart & increase your joy & gratitude for the children you love & enjoy! Check out Krystal's other blogs: Give Thanks Journal,  Baby Poems & Be Your Best blog.


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