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0 pointsnickd20013y ago0 comments

I can guarantee, that trying to make someone else happy, will never ever fail to make you happy :). Even in the unlikely event you fail to make that person happy, the effort of trying is fulfilling. Now the problem is, most of us , myself included, forget to direct our efforts to making others happy. I imagine God up there like an exasperated parent : "If only you guys would actually listen to what I suggested, you know, loving each other and stuff, you would actually be happier. You know that? but instead you insist on being out for yourselves"

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BeetleB3y ago

> I can guarantee, that trying to make someone else happy, will never ever fail to make you happy :

I can guarantee that there exist several data points that refute this.

Definitely can guarantee many cases where doing this to excess for some people is a net negative.

Can certainly show cases which led to divorce (i.e. always trying to make spouse happy was unstable, and the marriage would have been much better off with randomly ignoring spouse).

Helping others can make you happy. Just don't do it at the expense of self care.

nickd2001OP3y ago

I agree 100% with your last line ;). OK, my statement "trying to make someone else happy, will never ever fail to make you happy", perhaps needs a footnote such as "in moderation, obviously. does not include sacrificing your entire life for someone determined to remain unhappy or suffering from severe depression". Then again, its surprising even someone with depression who doesn't give a lot back, you can still go around thinking "well I tried" and your friends respect you, perhaps they emulate you. Good begets good, and all that. That's the idea of the pay it forward movement etc

em-bee3y ago

which is one reason why loneliness is so bad. because there is noone that you can make happy.

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