This story is about a beautiful, rich lady who complained to her psychiatrist that she felt her whole life was empty; it had no meaning. So the counselor called the lady who cleaned the office floors, and then said to the lady, “I am going to ask Beatrice here to tell you how she found happiness. All I want you to do is listen.”

So Beatrice put down her broom and sat on a chair and told her story: “Well, 25 years ago, my husband died of malaria and that same year my only son was killed by a car. I had nobody…I had nothing left…I couldn’t sleep…I couldn’t eat…I never smiled at anyone…I even thought of taking my own life.

“Then one evening a little kitten followed me home from work. Somehow I felt sorry for that kitten. It was cold outside, so I decided to let the kitten in. I gave it some milk and it licked the bowl clean. Then it purred and rubbed against my leg, and for the first time in years I smiled. Then I stopped to think: if helping a little kitten could make me smile, maybe doing something for people could make me happy.

“So the next day I baked some biscuits and took them to a neighbour who was sick. Everyday I tried to do something nice for someone. It made me happy to see them happy. Today, I sleep and eat better. I think I have found happiness by giving it to others.”

Have you realized that happiness lies at the end of your arm?

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