"Joy increases as you give it and diminishes as you try to keep it for yourself In giving it, you will accumulate a deposit of joy greater than you ever believed possible"

Giving joy to others brings more happiness to you than keeping it all to yourself. When you share joy, it grows; but when you hoard it, it fades. Imagine having a lump of clay. If you keep it to yourself, it just sits there, but if you share it with others, you can create something beautiful together. That’s what joy is like.

The essence of this idea has ancient roots. Think about the teachings of various spiritual leaders and philosophers. They’ve always emphasized the benefits of generosity and kindness. For instance, in many religious texts, the act of giving is highly praised because it brings inner peace and happiness. They understood that true joy doesn't come from what you have, but from what you give.

Now, let’s dive into a real-life story that nails this concept. Take the example of a woman named Sara. She was going through a tough time in her life—struggling with her job, feeling isolated, and generally down in the dumps. One day, she decided to volunteer at a local soup kitchen. The first time she served a hot meal to someone in need, she felt a spark of happiness she hadn’t felt in months. She continued volunteering, and with each act of kindness, she felt her own joy growing. The more she gave, the happier she became. She started connecting with the people she was helping, hearing their stories, and realizing how much of a difference she was making in their lives. By giving her time and kindness, she ended up accumulating a reservoir of joy that was far greater than she ever imagined possible.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your life? Start small. Think about the people around you—your family, friends, coworkers. What’s one small act of kindness you can do for them today? Maybe it’s sending a thoughtful text, helping a colleague with a project, or just listening to someone who needs to talk. When you focus on spreading joy, you’ll find that your own happiness grows. It’s a win-win situation.

Here’s another way to think about it. Imagine you’ve got a garden. If you hoard all the water for one plant, the rest will wither, and eventually, even that one plant will suffer because the ecosystem isn't healthy. But if you water all the plants, the garden thrives—and it becomes a beautiful place for you to enjoy. Your joy works the same way. Spread it around, and your life becomes a vibrant, happy place.

Remember the last time you did something nice for someone and saw the smile on their face? That feeling is contagious. When you see others happy because of something you did, it creates a warm glow inside you. It’s like a ripple effect—your joy creates more joy, and before you know it, you’ve got a whole ocean of happiness.

So go ahead, give joy a shot. Share a laugh, offer a helping hand, or just be there for someone. You’ll be surprised at how much happier you’ll feel when you make others happy. It's a simple concept, but it works. Trust me.