How to Achieve Happiness through Good Deeds

The more you give away, the more you have. Make the world a better place through good deeds and you'll make yourself happy, too.

Instructions

• TIP: Commit acts of kindness without expect to be thanked.
• Step 1: Support people who attempt to help others, promote peace and kindness, discipline themselves, face adversity, or change their lives. Sometimes happiness is just being a good friend.
• FACT: A 1998 Cornell study that found volunteering boosts self esteem also revealed that between the ages of 35 and 64, men spent almost 6 hours per week volunteering, while women spent an average of 4.5.
• Step 2: Volunteer to help others. Recognize if they have a need you can fill. Share everything you can: sign up on the national organ-donor registry, run canned drives, deliver meals, or help in massive community clean-up efforts.
• Step 3: Forgive others for them and for yourself. Seething over real or perceived slights will just make you bitter and sad in the long run.
• Step 4: Listen more than you speak. It shows other people that you care about what they think.
• Step 5: Restore happiness to relationships even in a disagreement by speaking the truth, lovingly, to help the relationship to grow.
• Step 6: Keep your promises and offer to serve others. Being dependable and punctual are acts of respect -- good deeds that make happiness easier to achieve for everyone. Your word is your bond.
• Step 7: Pay attention to the small things: a kind word, a helping hand, or a mere smile, and a heartfelt thanks. A few pleasant words make a difference.