![\"dogoodheart\"](\"https:\/\/tamibrumbaugh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/dogoodheart-300x132.jpg\")
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Sometimes when I\u2019m feeling down or sorry for myself, it helps when I look at others. Hold on now. I don\u2019t mean that it helps to compare and criticize, trying to prop up my own damaged ego. I\u2019ve experienced that technique and it doesn\u2019t help anyone. \u00a0Random group chat checks on my daughters\u2019 phones reveal that sort of catty behavior is still rampant. Social media can be brutal.<\/p>\n
Maybe this path is human nature, but it\u2019s an aspect worth fighting. It helps when I look at others to see their needs and find ways where I can actually help. Instead of focusing on myself and wallowing in a pity party (yes, I\u2019ve done that\u2014ugh), I find happiness when I focus on others and search for ways where I can be an encouragement.<\/p>\n
We have the ability to help others through our actions, regular volunteering, or donations. There are no pre-requisites. We don\u2019t have to be rich to share a little food or money. We don\u2019t need a degree to offer a kind word, or be super athletic to shovel someone\u2019s snow-covered driveway. Our efforts may relieve physical need or be the encouragement someone needs. People sometimes just need to know that others care and recognize their existence.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s an added benefit that in helping others, we\u2019re also helping ourselves. Have you ever felt a burst of happiness after performing a good deed? That\u2019s actually a documented sensation known as \u201chelper\u2019s high\u201d. When you do something good for someone else, your brain\u2019s pleasure centers light up, releasing endorphins.<\/p>\n
Helping others also provides a sense of purpose. We\u2019re on earth to do more than satisfy our own wants and needs. Our lives have meaning when we positively impact others. When we finally crawl into bed at night, it feels good to think about ways we made a difference, rather than what we failed to accomplish. Sure, the healthy version of brownies that I attempted to make did not fool or please my family (no big surprise\u2014the recipe incorporated black beans), but at least I sent that encouragement note to a friend going through a hard time. I did something to make the world a better place, and it feels great.<\/p>\n
So when we struggle to find our positive attitude, we can look to others. Doing good will do us good.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sometimes when I\u2019m feeling down or sorry for myself, it helps when I look at others. Hold on now. I don\u2019t mean that it helps to compare and criticize, trying to prop up my own damaged ego. I\u2019ve experienced that … Continue reading