how to give the world a virus

 

Last week I came across one of the greatest quotes I've read in a long, long time. This one, by Elizabeth Gilbert, goes like this:

 

All of the sorrow and trouble of this world is caused by unhappy people. The search for contentment is, therefore, not merely a self-benefiting act, but also a generous gift to the world.

I 100% believe that Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love, speaks the truth here. Seeking happiness, while it may sound selfish, is truly one of the greatest gifts you can give the world. Just think about how great it is when you see happiness, when you feel it deep within you, and you spread it around to those around you. Obviously, I spend a lot of time thinking about happiness. And I spend a lot of time thinking about my own happiness. I battle with this because I often contemplate whether or not it is selfish to think so much about what I can do to make myself happy. I wonder, from time to time, whether I should focus less on myself and more on others. But Gilbert's quote has made me realize, once and for all, that my search for happiness is not only something great for me, but a gift for the world as well. I like to think about it as if you're buying a really great gift for someone else like a fabulous trip or tickets to a great show. You know you'll get to go too which is great, but you are ultimately getting the gift for the other person, to make him or her happy. 

Happiness is contagious. According to a study conducted by Harvard Medical School and the University of California, San Diego, you can literally impact the happiness of others with your own happiness. Happiness, apparently, is like a virus and it can be spread from person to person. This happiness study found that being around a happy person can increase your own happiness by 15%. You can then increase a someone else's happiness by 10%. That person can then increase the happiness of someone else by 6%. Fascinating, isn't it? Happiness spreads just like a virus!

So, of course, the first idea that jumped to my mind was, "Oh, wow, I better stay far away from unhappy people then!" (This is something I try to do anyway, but, of course, it's not always possible.) In the Web-MD article I read on the happiness study, Dr. James Fowler, co-author of the study, says that we shouldn't avoid happy people, but, instead, should make more of an effort to spread happiness in the world. Dr. Fowler reminds us that happiness is a collective thing and the way we choose to behave, happiness-wise, can affect the happiness of the world around us.

So if happiness is a virus, spread it. Unlike when you have a real virus and should stay at home in bed, happiness needs to be spread around. So go out into the world and give everyone around you some of your happiness germs. Find what makes you happy and do it. Seek happiness in the world. Then spend time with the people you love in your life, spreading your happiness to them.

I've, of course, come up with some ideas of how you can spread a happy virus to the world. Here you go...

50 Ways To Spread a Happy Virus

1. Throw away your bad mood.

2. Smile at random strangers.

3. Talk to someone you don't know.

4. Hold the door for others.

5. Think before you speak.

6. Give someone a compliment.

7. Answer the phone cheerfully.

8. Tell yourself you're awesome.

9. Listen attentively to others.

10. Share a great song with a friend.

11. Email a friend from the past.

12. Point out the good in a bad situation.

13. Leave a nice tip for a good server.

14. Donate things you don't need anymore.

15. Send flowers to someone you love.

16. Buy a book you know a friend will enjoy.

17. Volunteer at a local charity for a day.

18. Watch something funny and really laugh.

19. Tweet about someone else's post.

20. Leave a nice comment on a FB wall.

21. Write someone you love a note.

22. Bring a treat to a good friend.

23. Sponsor someone else's dream.

24. Leave a really thoughtful comment on a blog.

25. Hug as if it is the last time.

26. Hold someone's hand unexpectedly.

27. Let an argument go.

28. Act extra happy to see someone.

29. Celebrate someone as if it is his/her birthday.

30. Tell someone what they mean to you.

31. Send an out-of-the-blue e-card. 

32. Visit someone who is sick (and bring soup!). 

33. Do someone else's chore without complaining.

34. Wake up with a smile on you face.

35. Sing a song just for fun.

36. Take care of plans so no one else has to.

37. Play with someone (dog, kid, adult) for an hour.

38. Watch a happy movie with a relative.

39. Put on your favorite outfit and a smile.

40. Look for details and share them with someone.

41. Let someone do something for you.

42. Take a bug outside instead of killing it.

43. Invite someone new to do something with you.

44. Be silly with someone special.

45. Mean it when you say, "Have a nice day!"

46. Lend someone something of value.

47. Make something (food, art, etc.) for someone.

48. Resolve to let a past conflict go.

49. Let someone else go first.

50. Be happy with who you are.

 

There are many, many ways to spread the happiness virus to the world. 50 seems like a lot of ideas, but there are so many more that I'm sure I will think of later in the day when the post is already up. (You know how that goes!)

What did I miss? How do YOU spread the happiness virus to friends, family, and the world? What ways can you think of that you don't do but would like to start doing?

Comments

[Andrea Hess]

Great post! It's so true ... when we are in the vibration of happiness, we actually can bring out that like resonance in others. I say, let's "infect" the world with happiness ... and joy ... and love....

Blessings,
Andrea

[kirwin]

Great post! I love all of your ideas. I think these kinds of things are better than Random Acts of Kindness; I mean they are RAK's, but they are also just a way to live. They are not things you do once, and then check off your list. It's like "Happiness" as a life-long philosophy.

[RML]

I am going to print this out and put it on the fridge. Maybe that way when I go to the fridge for a comfort snack, I will decide to do something to make someone else (and myself) happy :)

[Ia]

I really love this post! Most of the things on the list are just good manners, unfortunately etiquette has been somewhat lost over the years... I'm pretty etiquette-centric, so I always do the polite things on the list, but I'm working on the friendlier items on the list (like smiling at strangers). My favourite thing to do is to bake a treat for someone. I love baking and then seeing the look on someone's face when they bite into it!

[Lo]

What a fantastically uplifting post. I found myself smiling while reading it. Happiness is absolutely contagious, "smile and the world smiles with you." Some of my favorite ways to spread happiness; bake cookies for the seniors in my neighborhood, treat the kid behind me in line to a cup of coffee, build blanket forts with my nephew (the whole household gets involved). Make homemade, heartfelt gifts like recipe or photo books. Help a senior to the car with his/her groceries. Tell my friends what a richness they bring to my life.

What a great and positive and HAPPY way to start my day. Thanks! :)

[Laurie]

What a great list of ideas!

Mind if I add one?

Receive gifts and compliments graciously.

When someone gives you something, I think it's important to "return the gift" by making them feel special for giving it. It's disheartening to give someone something and have them go on about it's too much, it's unnecessary, or "you really shouldn't have". (Granted, sometimes it really is too much, but that's an exception.) Just say thank you, that it was really thoughtful and that you appreciate it. You can see on their face how good the other person feels.

[John]

Wonderful post. I couldn't agree with you more that Happiness is Contagious. When you express your happiness, not only can you see it through the way you do things, but you also bring this glow that brightens up the room and makes everyone in that room attracted to you.

[positively present]

Andrea - Thank you! You're right - we can infect the world with happiness, joy, and love!

Kirwin - I'm glad you enjoyed it! I agree. These are kind acts but they are also a general way to live life, spreading happiness everywhere you go. Happiness is definitely life long, though I think it's difficult to maintain this at times. We have to be conscious of it all the time if (like me) it doesn't come naturally to us.

RML - That's great! :) Making someone else (or yourself) happy is something we should all do on a daily basis. It's the little things that can make a big difference.

Ia - I agree that a lot of people don't have manners these days and it's important to be conscious of them. That's great that you love to bake. I'm not much of a baker myself, but I certainly enjoy making things (like art) for others. It's so nice to make someone else smile!

Lo - Thank you! It sounds like you do some really great things to bring happiness into the world. It makes me happy to know that someone like you is out there, spreading joy!

Laurie - That's a GREAT point. I completely agree with you. So often we make the response to receiving a gift negative (as in "you shouldn't have") rather than positive (as in "thank you so much!"). This is a great point and we should all strive to be better receivers of gifts, compliments, etc.

John - Happiness definitely attracts others and it's so great to know that you're bringing people to you by bringing good into the world. People love happy people!

[Sherri (Serene Journey)]

This is a lovely post! I really like all of the ideas you have here on how to spread happiness which is extremely contagious. One thing I like to do occasionally is buy a coffee for the person behind me in line at the drive through. It's a small gesture but I like to think it just might make their day. :)

[positively present]

Sherri - I'm glad you enjoyed the list. I think it's GREAT that you do that for someone. I don't drink coffee (or go through drive-thrus very often) but that would make my day if I did. Once someone paid a toll for me on the highway and I thought it was the best thing EVER. Thanks for commenting!

[Writer Dad]

I LOVED Eat, Pray, Love and Gilbert's talk on TED was AWESOME. That's a fantastic list you have there. My favorite is be silly with someone special. I try to make time for that one several times a day.

[Paul Maurice Martin]

Great post. For sure the "little things" aren't really so little.

[positively present]

Writer Dad - Thanks for your comment. Eat, Pray, Love was a great read, wasn't it? I really like the "be silly" one too. It's so much fun and it makes you and someone else smile!

Paul - Thank you! You're right -- the small things in life are often the most important when it comes to day-to-day living.

[Melissa Donovan]

Excellent! I suspected this, but my thinking was based on law of attraction. I do try to stay away from miserable, negative people for the most part, but it's not always possible. I also work at being happy, and I've learned it's something that comes from inside yourself. It's hugely rewarding for everyone! Save the planet with a smile :)

[positively present]

Melissa - Thanks for your feedback. I love that "save the world with a smile" idea. It's great!

[J.D. Meier]

I'm glad the happy virus is contagious. It is worth spreading.

[positively present]

J.D. - I'm glad about that too. Definitely worth spreading around! :)

[Roger - A Content Life]

Dani,

Excellent post and interesting study!

I read Gilbert's book and really liked it. Actually, I listened to it on my Ipod.

I like your 50 ways to spread the happiness virus. My favorite is "Let an argument go." The world could use less frivolous arguments. :)

[positively present]

Roger - I'm so happy you enjoyed the post. Gilbert's book was really good. I'm not sure if the quote is from the book or not, but I think it's so true. I agree that letting go of arguments is really important. A lot of the time they are really petty and not worth the trouble. It's more important to take the time to get to the root of the issue and figure out what can be done in the future to prevent needless arguments. Thanks for commenting!

[Sami - Life, Laughs & Lemmings]

Hi PP,
Loved the list and I absolutely loved Eat, Pray, Love. It was one of those books that really resonated with me.

I enjoy making people laugh as my little way of spreading the happiness.

[Caroline]

Wonderful post! I am big on spreading happiness. I just added a new page on my blog that is called: Happy list. I love reading about the things that make people happy! :)

[Gretchen]

Great post! I will add that book to my reading list as well. :)

[positively present]

Sami - I'm so happy you liked the list. Eat Pray Love really resonated with me too. I thought it was a great book!

Caroline - Thank you! That's great that you have a section called Happy List. I'm going to have to hop over to your site and check it out.

Gretchen - Thanks! :) You should definitely read it if you haven't already. It's a good one!

[Tristan Rayner]

I really, really liked that quote. I'm happy you found it and passed it on.

It's interesting how being happy produces a sort of force around you that makes things better, inspires others, and as you & Ms Glibert say - helps the world.

Thank you.

[Kiki]

Fantastic list! I especially like "lend someone something of value." Not only does that help cut our attachments to material things, but it also means we want the recipient to enjoy something beautiful and wonderful. That's a double whammy of happiness-spreading!

I'll be linking to this in my weekend Fizz Fix post!

[Megan Bord]

What a beautiful post!

[positively present]

Tristan - So glad you liked the quote. It makes me happy to know I'm passing along some inspiring words! It is so interesting how we can impact the world with our own happiness, isn't it? Thanks for your comment!

Kiki - You're SO right. That IS a double whammy of happiness spreading (haha, I love how you put that!). That's awesome that you'll be putting in a link on Friday. Thanks so much!!

Megan - Thank you! :)

[janice]

I enjoyed this, especially the list! I like sharing poetry; a lot of folk don't read it these days but I'm always amazed at how many people say they've been touched by chancing on some lines that resonate.

[Betsy Wuebker]

What a wonderful list! Print-worthy, especially for those "Debbie Downer Days" when you should be discarding your bad mood like yesterday's trash. Thanks.

[positively present]

Janice - So glad you liked it! I think that sharing poetry is wonderful and it really is surprising how much you can impact someone with your words.

Betsy - Ha! Yes, this is PERFECT for those Debbie (or should it be Dani?) Downer days! We need to throw away our bad moods and embrace happiness!

[Lance]

Hi Dani,
I'm all for happiness - so I love this post...let the virus spreading begin!

I like taking goofy pictures...or maybe not taking them - being in them! There's something about acting silly in front of the camera that brings a smile and a few laughs.

Or, sometimes a surprise stop at our local custard stand for some ice cream - unplanned.

Great list you've created Dani! I'm taking some of these as I go out and spread the happiness virus!!

[positively present]

Lance - I used to LOVE taking silly pictures with my friends when I was younger. I haven't done that in years and I think would be great to do again. Thanks for mentioning it. And ice cream sounds SO great right now. YUM! I'm happy just thinking about it! :)

[Penny]

Yes I believe we can spread happiness! I understand your problems with feeling selfish etc. but it is true that happiness is contagious. Too be honest I will still try to avoid negative people if possible, because I'm not at that stage where I can overcome their negativity yet and spread happiness to them. But the idea of spreading happiness is ultimately a great one. Such a good list! It is those little things that make so much difference to someone's day.

[positively present]

Penny - To be honest, I try to avoid negativity in my life too. I'm also not quite at the point where I can override negative with positive, but I think I'm getting better at it every day. Thanks for your comment! :)

[Jodi at Joy Discovered]

I remember hearing Elizabeth Gilbert say this when she was interviewed on Oprah a while back-- and it struck a chord with me and a good friend, too. It made us feel the freedom to just BE ourselves. It made us feel like productive members of society just by pursuing joyfulness. Anything else is the cherry on top! Thank you for your post. You have great ideas here!

[Giovanna Garcia]

Hi
I loved your list of How to Spread Happiness.
I am going to try to start using some of those day ideas today.
Thank you for inspiring me to be happier.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action

[positively present]

Jodi - Thanks for letting me know where the quote was from. I wasn't sure if it was from her book or what. I'm glad you liked the ideas! :)

[positively present]

Giovanna - I'm so glad you enjoyed the list. I think we could all benefit if we did more of these more often. :)

[Vikum]

Hi Dani,
Great suggestions.Let's start spreading.I'm with you :)
I love taking goofy pictures.Maybe in public places like restaurants.Oh!Look at the stare of the people.But who cares? I don't even know me :).
And tweeting about someone's post is a great idea.Why don't I tweet this? :) . C ya.

[positively present]

Vikum - Glad you enjoyed it! Someone else mentioned the goofy pictures thing too and I think it's a great idea. I used to do it all the time, but it's been awhile since I've done that. It's definitely a happiness-spreading activity. Thanks so much for tweeting this post! :) That makes me happy!!

[Tabitha]

These are awesome tips! I try to do a lot of these things daily.

[positively present]

Tabitha - That's great that you try to do a lot of those things! Yay for bringing happiness into the world! :)