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Day 298: The Secret to Happiness Every Day

Why do we think there is a secret to happiness every day. Why do we think happiness is so hard to achieve. After 298 of giving every day I like to think I know a little about the topic. Some days are easy and some days are just plain hard but at the end of each day I go to sleep knowing I did something to make the world a better place. It just makes me feel happy. Read on to discover how you can pull yourself out of the darkest of days with one simple thing…

Day 298 / Give 298

Just 2 weeks ago I wrote a very personal post about grieving. It was Day 286. I will never forget this day as it was a terribly sad day in our family. Just hours before we were to meet our second adopted son we got a call that due to legal complications the adoption was not going to proceed. We were heart broken. The crib had been set up, the drapers bought even the home coming outfit had been chosen. You wonder how you will get through days like that in your life. I made a choice that day that kept me from staying in bed rolled in a ball in tears – I decided to keep giving.

 

Giving alwasy makes me feel better. It always makes me feel like I am doing something to help another which in turn helps me.

The baby went into foster care and that day I made a donation to the Dave Thomas Foundation. This organization supports children in foster care in Canada and the US assisting with the adoption process. They have a belief that every child deserves a home.

A few weeks have passed since the adoption was cancelled and I still felt a need to help. I knew the baby was still in foster care and I wanted to see if I could help. I called the social worker and offered baby items including blankets, diapers and clothes for the Foster Mom. Foster parents don’t make a lot of money and we all know how much it costs to feed, cloth and diaper a baby. The help was welcome and I dug through all the wonderful clothes that had been past on to me to give to Mothers in need from my friends as well as items I had bought for this babies homecoming. I easily filled two bags plus two boxes of diapers and I was all set to give.

I met briefly with the babies social worker and thanked her for giving me the opportunity to give back to this little baby and his Foster Mom. I wished them all the best and a speedy resolution to a difficult situation for the child. I brought my 3 year old son with me so he could do the “give of the day” as well. I am blessed with a beautiful adopted little boy already and I can only be thankful for what I have – not what I don’t have.

So what is the secret to feeling happiness every day? Giving.

Give from your heart. Give from a place of love no matter how big or small. Take even what seems like the worst day of your life and turn it into something good. Trust me it works.

Time Commitment: 1 hour

Cost: 0 items donated to me or already bought

What people are saying about 365give

“I wanted to express my gratitude for the teaching you provided today. Your message was delivered eloquently, compassionately, and without judgment. The kids were engaged, and now have knowledge with which they can change the world. We all appreciated how you took the time to help us learn to build positive mindsets and practice happiness.”
Shelley Gardner, Grade 6 Ridgeview Elementary (West Vancouver)
“Actions really do speak louder than words, which is why I believe the 365give Challenge has resonated throughout my community. Every give we do is so important to us and leaves us happier and appreciating our lives a little bit more than before.”
Mahina Niyozova (Tajikistan)
“After watching the 365give TEDx Talk, I was inspired to join and begin a daily giving program in India. Today, along with 12 other volunteer women, we provide 100 meals to local underprivileged children in Bangalore for school every day.”
Deepika Ahuja, Mom (Bangalore, India)
“My life has greater meaning now.”
Renate Jorge, @BeKindBrazil and 365give Member, Family Program (Brazil)
“I just wanted to share that 365give really helped me. I am a better person now, thank you.”
MayLee, 365give Member, Individual Program
“This 365give Challenge has really injected excitement and extra enthusiasm in each work day as I think about what we can do. It has motivated me and the students.”
Cristina Peters, School Counselor (New York City, USA)
“I have seen a huge shift in energy throughout my classroom since doing the 365give Challenge. The Challenge has empowered my students to make a positive difference in the school’s community and beyond.”
Cella Adriana, Special Needs Educator /The Holliswood School (New York City, USA)
“The 365give Challenge helps students understand their impact on others. It opens avenues for introducing and discussing global and local issues in classrooms. It is powerful to watch students of all ages think about how they can make a change in another person’s life with one small act.”
Jessica Hall, Primary Teacher, French Immersion at École Pauline Johnson (West Vancouver, Canada)