Happiness is in doing the right thing. This may not always be what we want to do, but it is what we need to do simply because it is the right thing to do. Often the right thing causes us to divert our plans, may cost money we don’t feel we have to spare, or might even cause sadness or grief, but all this is temporary. The deeper, more lasting happiness comes from feeling good about yourself because you did the right thing when the task to do so is presented to you.
We all want to do great things in the world. Yet we are always asked to do the smallest of acts before we are given the bigger tasks. It is in the day-to-day kindness to our neighbor that we grow into creating a Neighbor-to-Neighbor Give-and-Take Center where neighbors leave food, children’s toys, and money for other neighbors to take as needed. It is in the caring for our own children in a loving way that we grow into starting an international fund for orphans in Africa. It is in the loving touch we give our own animals that allows us to pick up a lost and lonely, sick and hungry kitten off the side of the road and heal him for his forever family or send him humanely into Spirit World. It is our commitment to our inner peace that pushes us to create an international peace program that helps to heal the wounds of the world. It is in the feeding of ourselves that we come to realize the need to feed the world and begin an international food relief organization. It is in the caring for our homes that we understand the need to care for our planet and we organize a neighborhood clean-up day.
Every day I hear a story where someone’s heart was enriched by following the rule of do the right thing. Often these stories are remembered and told years after the event. One grandmother told me a story of when her children were young, a story of a kitten they found who was injured. “Money was tight in those days,” she said, “but the children were with me when the vet said we could either put the kitten back in the cornfield, put her to sleep, or pay for surgery.” Bet you already know what that mother said. “Of course, we had to have the surgery. My children were standing there. It was the right thing to do.” The mother went on to tell me that the kitten lived to the ripe old age of 20, and then she added, “She was the best cat we ever had. It was like she spent her life thanking us.”
Moliere said, “It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible, but also for what we do not do.” Let go of all the times you did not do the right thing and begin today. This is the day we are going to hold ourselves responsible and do the right thing, whatever that thing is that presents itself to you today.
Right now, in this very moment, make a commitment to do the right thing. That’s all. Just make the commitment. Commit to being the best you and to be able to use your own specific way to serve others in the world. Let your prayer be, “Show me how I can help.” And then listen. You will be presented with a thousand ways to do what is right. Your tasks may seem small but let go of that judgment. There is no small kindness.
From your one act grows many ripples. You may be asked to do something you think is greater than you are able to take on. The greater act may be asking you to step into a new role, one that seems bigger than you can handle, but you will not have to handle it all yourself. You just have to step forward into that space you are being asked to occupy.
Whatever the task—whether great or small—we never do alone. We take it on, guide it, and see it forward. What you are asked may not be easy; it seldom is, but it will bring you the greatest reward of being human—it will bring you happiness, a deep abiding joy that lasts long after the task is complete. And after all, isn’t that what you really want— to be happy.