happineis like a pebble dropped into a pool to set in motion anever-widening circle of ripples. as stevenson has said, being happy is aduty.
there is no exact definition of the word happiness. happy people are happyfor all sorts of reasons. the key is not wealth or physical well-being, since wefind beggars, invalids and so-called failures, who are extremely happy.
being happy is a sort of unexpected dividend. but staying happy is anaccomplishment, a triumph of soul and character. it is not selfish to strive forit. it is, indeed, a duty to ourselves and others.
being unhappy is like an infectious disease. it causes people to shrinkaway from the sufferer. he soon finds himself alone, miserable and embittered.there is, however, a cure so si-mp-le as to seem, at first glance, ridiculous;if you don’t feel happy, pretend to be!
it works. before long you will find that instead of repelling people, youattract them. you discover how deeply rewarding it is to be the center of widerand wider circles of good will.
then the make-believe becomes a reality. you possethe secret of peace ofmind, and can forget yourself in being of service to others.
being happy, once it is realized as a duty and established as a habit,opens doors into unimaginable gardens thronged with grateful friends.