Three years ago we struck out to make our own happiness – we decided that the trajectory we were on was not going to give us that deep sense of satisfaction. We made a conscious effort to live our life the only way we knew how- to the fullest and to keep close to us the things that matter most the people and relationships that inspire us and make us want to be better people. Since that decision, we’ve lived a purposeful life and made decisions that made us happy instead of decisions that fulfilled another person’s expectation.

Two nights ago I felt joy and happiness more than I have in a long, long time. My heart was full and I felt like the purposeful life we’ve tried to lead had come truly full circle. Let me explain.

I arrived home in a frustrated mood. Going out for the mail, I was intrigued when I saw a letter from Austria. Ripping it open it was a lovely note of friendship from a couchsurfing friend. Although we had wished her well on Facebook at the news of her baby’s arrival in November, she sent us a translated baby announcement and a personal note. In January we sent her a change of address note and an invitation to visit us. Our decision to reach out and let her know we were thinking of her resulted in an opportunity to share in her happiness.

Opening the front door, I was shocked to find a package against the wall. Friends from Israel, who spent a few weeks with us in January, sent us a package for Passover.  Again, another friendship that we have consciously worked on building and strengthening.   A complete surprise and a gesture that filled my heart with happiness.

Moments later I rejoiced at the news that a good friend of mine had her first baby. By rejoiced, I mean cried like a baby tears of unadulterated joy. She is good friend who it would have been easy to drift away from over the years. She is a person that I have made a priority in my life, whose friendship I have consciously worked not only to maintain but to cultivate because I believe SHE is worth it.

And that night we went out to dinner with friends to celebrate their long awaited engagement.  It was a moment worth waiting for and seeing the happiness on their faces reminded me that I am lucky to have such people in my life.

My heart was full of joy that evening and not as a result of anything happening directly to me.  It was all a result of living a purposeful life, putting others as a priority and consciously building relationships.  You choose who you want to share your life with so choose wisely and consciously make those people a part of your life.  Relationships take work, but choosing to make those relationships better and support friends in need and make friends a priority will come back two-fold.

“The happiness you give to others comes back to you!

For happiness moves in a circle.

That happiness that goes out of you travels back to you!”