How to Create Instant Happiness

Over the July 4^th holiday, I was traveling back from a marvelous time in California’s Napa Valley with dear friends and found myself sandwiched into an airline seat with little-to-no-room to move around.

Realizing I had several hours ahead of me in this sardine-like environment, I became instantly annoyed with my seatmate and his physical encroachment into my space. I must have visibly shown my frustration because it seemed he realized that his space was being marginalized by me.

What to do??

Miraculously, a voice in my head said, STOP being so selfish. Move your attention to this person to create a collaborative environment, not an adversarial one!

I broke the ice by suggesting he could gain more legroom if he moved his knapsack to underneath his seat versus having it in front of him. Instantly, we both mellowed out. He apologized for cramping my space and began to discuss his rather long, difficult journey to Lisbon.

I asked him the purpose of the trip and learned that he was a marine biologist going on a sixty-day exhibition with a new explorer ship. That began a conversation during which we spoke about my nephew, also a marine biologist, and it resulted in us speaking for most of the flight about life and its many challenges.

Here’s my take: So often, our attention is solely on our own comfort, not realizing that the happiness of others brings us immeasurably more comfort. In this case, it was both physical and emotional.

Talking and connecting do this. Making someone wrong doesn’t. The more we engage with people, the more we understand them. We also get more connected with our ability to care for people. All people. Even the guy annoying us on a plane!

I walked off that plane not tired and angry but happy and at peace with the world. Whether you’re in business, with a family member, or on vacation, try some tenderness. The result may be that you create a little happiness for yourself and those around you.