A Key to Happiness

The other night on television,  I was watching a program where they were interviewing celebrities and asking them what advice they would give to Britney Spears.   For some reason this fascinated me and caused me to ponder somewhat on the topic of happiness.

Why is this poor girl so unhappy?  Why are so many celebrities unhappy for that matter?  The answer is something I discovered years ago, while searching for my own happiness.  There is a quote I read recently which I believe is the key.  It's by Henry B. Eyring who is a leader in my church.  He says, "Without service, there is no happiness".  Bingo!  .  

In Hollywood so much of that culture is "self service".  It puts such emphasis on "self"; appearance, furthering careers, money, fame, etc.  There are many different aspects of "self service".  At one point in my life, I found myself in a deep depression.  As I began to pull myself out of it, I made some profound observations.  Depression is a very selfish state of mind.  "I'm not good enough, nobody cares about me, I wish I were dead, why does this always happen to me?".  Have you noticed the recurring words - I and me.

"There is no happiness without service".  How do I find happiness?  In the service of my family, neighbors, and friends.  When I catch myself falling back into the bad habits of a depressed state of mind, I immediately put a stop to it. I remember that I really need to get over myself and stop focussing on ME.   True happiness for me has come when I lose myself in the service of others.

Why are Britney Spears and others in Hollywood so unhappy?  I believe that they are caught in the trap of "self service".  Be it depression, or a focus on self to achieve more fame, glamour, and money, it will never result in happiness.  

"You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give."

-Winston Churchill