There are many miserable people in this world. You just have to look around to see them all. They are in your family, they are at work, and they are people you have to deal with during random everyday encounters.
While it’s very important to add joy to your own life, part of everyone’s purpose in life should be to bring joy to other people’s lives. Making other people happy can be very rewarding.
Why Bother Bringing Joy To Other People’s Lives?
Why go out of your way to make other people happy? It can be time-consuming and frustrating, especially if the other person has no desire to feel joy and engage with you in a friendly way.
But, the benefits of making other people happy far outweigh the drawbacks.
- When you bring joy to other people’s lives, it can be contagious. It can create a ripple effect that spreads out into the rest of the world. People become more accepting and trusting of one another, creating an environment where relationships are based on mutual respect and kindness.
- Additionally, when you bring joy to someone else’s life through random acts of kindness or going out of your way to help someone in need, it brings more happiness into your own life as well. Seeing how your efforts positively impact someone else can be deeply fulfilling and rewarding. And that’s worth the effort.
- Finally, when you take a moment to make someone else smile or lighten their day with a few kind words, it helps build stronger friendships and better connections between you and other people. People will like you more and want to help you and support you when possible. In short, life gets easier because you have so many people having your back.
7 Ways To Bring Joy To Other People
It’s really not that hard to promote joy in other people’s lives. While you can go big and do extravagant things to help other people feel joy, it really only takes a few words, a small action, or a simple gesture. Here are 7 ideas.
1. Say Something Positive About Them
A few kind words can go a long way when it comes to brightening someone’s day. Complimenting somebody on their accomplishments or appearance is an easy way to make someone feel appreciated and good about themselves.
Examples of positive things you can say include:
- ย You’re so talented!
- I’m always inspired by your work.
- You have such an amazing style!
- You have a great work ethic!
2. Do Something For Someone Without Expecting Anything In Return
Another way to bring joy to other people is by doing something kind for them without expecting anything in return. Whether it’s baking a cake or running an errand, simple gestures like these will help someone feel special and appreciated.
For instance, you can:
- Buy them breakfast/lunch โ Paying for somebodyโs meal is an easy way to make their day a little bit better, especially if they are having a tough time financially.
- Offer up directions โ If you see someone who looks lost or confused, offering up your help can be very useful! Showing that you care enough to lend a hand can be really helpful in making someone feel taken care of.
- Compliment them โ Nothing beats getting a genuine compliment from someone! Taking the effort to brighten someoneโs day with kind words is always appreciated.
- Hold the door open โ Taking a few extra seconds to hold the door for someone can make their day a lot easier! Showing that you care about their well-being and want to make things easier for them is an act of kindness that will never go unnoticed.
- Let somebody else go in front of you in line โ We all know how annoying long lines can be, so if you have the chance, let someone else who’s running late go ahead of you. It won’t take away much time from your own schedule and it’ll put a smile on their face.
3. Offer Encouragement and Support
Oftentimes, people need an extra bit of support or encouragement to get through tough times or to feel happy. Offering your support and listening to what they have to say can be a great way to help them feel better about themselves and their lives.
4. Give Gifts That Will Bring Them Joy
Gifts are a great way to show someone that you care and it can help make them happy. Instead of giving material objects, consider giving them something that will bring them joy or help them out in some way. A book about their favorite hobby, a gift card to their favorite restaurant, or even a handwritten note expressing your love and appreciation can all be meaningful gifts that make someone feel special.
5. Spend Quality Time With Them
Itโs important to take the time to spend quality moments with those we love. A special dinner, a movie night, or just a chat over coffee can mean more than anything else. When you have time together, be sure to really listen and enjoy each otherโs company.
Examples of quality time include:
- going for a walk in the park
- cooking dinner together
- playing board games or doing puzzles
- taking a yoga class together
- having a picnic outside
These are just some of the ways to make the most out of your quality time with those who matter most.
6. Show Gratitude
Saying โthank youโ is a powerful way to show someone that you appreciate them and bring joy to their lives. Find ways throughout the day to thank each other for the small things, and donโt forget to be thankful for the big things as well. Expressing your gratitude will help create an atmosphere of mutual respect and admiration.
Other ways to show gratitude include:
- Send a handwritten letter or card.
- Give small gifts of appreciation.
- Do something nice for the other person, such as making them breakfast in bed.
7. Express Kindness
Showing kindness is essential for creating a strong bond with those we care about and bringing joy into their lives.
Some ways to show kindness include helping out with chores, giving compliments, and being understanding when someone makes a mistake or needs help. Being kind can make a huge difference in how you interact with each other.
Sometimes People Don’t Want To Feel Joy
Sometimes you can do everything in your power to bring joy to someone’s life, but they are resistant to everything you do.
They don’t like anything.
They don’t appreciate anything.
They don’t want to smile, laugh, or be happy.
They are just plain miserable.
When this happens, the best thing you can do is to simply be there. Be a friend, be supportive, listen, and respect their feelings. Don’t try and force them to be happy or pressure them into feeling differently. Just be present with them in whatever way they need it – whether that’s by giving hugs when they cry, listening intently when they talk about something difficult, or even just sitting quietly together.
It’s important to remember that everyone is different and handles their feelings differently. Just because someone isn’t feeling joy doesn’t mean they don’t care about the people in their lives, or that they are incapable of feeling joy in the future. Respect how they feel and be there for them unconditionally – it can make all the difference.
However, if you feel they are toxic to your life by making you feel joyless, then it’s important to set healthy boundaries for yourself and the relationship. It’ll help you take care of your own well-being while still trying to be there for the person in whatever way they need.
Things you can do include:
– Making sure to set aside time for yourself and your own needs, without worrying too much about theirs.
– Letting them know that their feelings are valid but also that it’s okay for you to feel differently.
– Checking in with them from time to time without expecting a response or change in behavior.
– Creating an environment where they don’t feel like they need to always be a certain way for you.
– Taking the time to really listen and understand, without offering advice or judgment.
– Understanding that it may take some time for them to come around or heal from their depression, and respecting that process.
Above all, make sure to show compassion and patience with yourself and with the other person. It can be challenging to remain supportive when someone is struggling with joylessness, but it is important to remember that your presence and understanding are valuable for their healing process.
