Pigs are flying.  Hell is freezing over.  And the personnel at airports these days are incredibly friendly and helpful.  The world really is upside down.

As mentioned in last week’s blog (“23 Hours of Rain”), I flew down to Florida last week to help my parents move out of their winter haven.  Flying in the age of this pandemic is an experience unto itself.  The airports are eerily quiet.  Food options are at a bare minimum.  And every corridor, bathroom, and common area is pristine and immaculate.  Certainly not the norm.

But the biggest change was the attitude of the airport personnel.  From the curbside police, to the employees at the ticketing and baggage counter, to the TSA security, to the gate checkers, everyone was positive and appreciative.  Not to imply that these folks are always grumpy, but airports are notoriously difficult places to maneuver, and the airport personnel usually take the brunt of our collective frustration.  Was it the fact there were fewer people to give them grief or complain about their flights?  Or were they extra appreciative just to have a job?  Whatever the reason, it was a pleasant surprise!

As friendly as the rest of the airport staff was,  it was the wheelchair handlers ushering my parents through the terminal who rose above the rest.  One in particular,  a West African named Bijou ( rock star status, like Bono, so no last name needed), demonstrated particular care and service.  He expertly wheeled my parents through security.  He smiled and joked in enthusiastic, broken English.  And he took full ownership of his job.  He slalomed through the airport with precision and executed on his personal Cannonball Run to deliver my parents to the gate.

When we arrived, we all thanked him and exchanged goodbyes.  My dad went to generously tip him for his services.  But he politely declined:

“My job is making happiness.  If you are being happy, I am being happy!”

And with that, he let out a thunderous laugh, saluted us, and disappeared down the corridor.

It was a remarkable display of unselfish service.  But it also got me thinking: How many of us are in the business of making happiness?  And how many of us derive true joy from instilling happiness in others?

Helping Others Helps Us

We all deserve happiness for ourselves.  There is nothing selfish about setting personal goals and finding hobbies that bring us personal joy.  It keeps us balanced and fulfilled.  But as we get older, there is even greater joy found in helping others achieve their goals.

The coach who inspires a player to reach his or her potential.  The manager who helps a sales rep crush his or her goals.  The parent who helps a child gain confidence and find his or her way.  The spouse who helps deliver his or her partner through a challenging time.  Deriving pride and joy from the accomplishments of others.  This is what it means to be selfless.  And, ironically, this is what it means to achieve true happiness for ourselves.

Focus Outside

In times of personal stress, it is this focus on others that will help us find our own way.  We can get so wrapped up in our own shortcomings when things are falling apart.  Financial strife.  Relationship issues.  Loss of confidence and loss of faith.  It is very easy to spiral inward and close ourselves off to the world.  Which is why we need to focus outside ourselves.

The thrill of “making happiness” for others will fuel our own resilience.  We don’t always need to be the heroes of our own story.    If we help someone find joy and success, that success will spill over into our own lives.  Our own fire will burn brighter.  We will find the strength and confidence to overcome our challenges.  And that will be its own reward.

“Making Happiness”

What if more people embraced Bijou’s attitude?  Imagine how much more productive we would be in our jobs.  Imagine how much stronger our personal connections would grow.  Imagine how many of the distractions and petty jealousies would melt away.

When it is driven from within, happiness can be elusive.  Eventually, we will fall short of our goals and slip into disillusionment.  There won’t be enough money coming our way.  There won’t be enough respect coming our way.  There won’t be enough love coming our way.

But when we vow to “make happiness” for others, there is a constant supply.  The more people we influence, the happier we are.  And then harder we will work to drive even more happiness in others.

This creates a positive cycle built on a simple formula.  If you are being happy, I am being happy!