Everything changes.
It’s a truth that’s hard to fully grasp, and yet, thinking about it brings a strange kind of relief. Nothing in life is permanent, our youth fades, moments of happiness come and go, excitement slows down, and even personal growth sometimes feels like it stalls. At the same time, life has its gentle ways of reminding us that change isn’t always painful. Pain heals, sorrow eases, illness improves, or we learn to live with it. Failures can transform into victories, and suffering, in its own way, often finds meaning.
Over the years, I’ve realized something important: the moments when I feel truly happy, the ones that make my heart swell with joy, become even more meaningful when I share them with others. It’s in sharing that joy, offering my enthusiasm and hope, that happiness takes on a life of its own. And here’s the beauty of it, because nothing lasts forever, the positivity and encouragement I give to others doesn’t vanish. When my own life turns challenging and I face sorrow, disappointment, or struggle, all the joy and hope I’ve shared comes back to me, like an invisible safety net.
It’s a little like saving money for the future. We set aside wealth to weather difficult times and to create comfort later. Similarly, the energy, love, and inspiration we give to others becomes a source of emotional wealth. When I’ve faced dark days, I’ve felt that return in the support, warmth, and hope that seem to appear right when I need them. It reminds me that the love and care we put into the world always finds its way back.
I’ve witnessed all kinds of happiness and all sorts of hardships, some of which I could hardly have imagined. And from both, the joys and the difficulties, I’ve learned a simple but profound truth: happiness is preserved not by holding it for myself, but by planting it in the hearts of others. Whether it’s offering encouragement, giving someone hope, wiping away tears, or being a shoulder to lean on, I’ve come to understand that these small acts of sharing are a way of safeguarding my own spirit.
Because life is fleeting, I want my happiness to live beyond me, to exist in the lives of those I touch. And in return, when I stumble or struggle, I find that all the love, support, and hope I’ve shared comes back to me, reminding me that even in the hardest times, there is light, and there is a way forward.
Happiness, I’ve realized, isn’t just about the moments we feel it, it’s about what we leave behind in the hearts of others.
P.S. The featured image was captured by Kritan during a special moment with my mom and sister while we were walking the trail to Mission Peak in eastern Fremont, California. At the same time, Shiwan was enjoying some bonding time with his uncle and cousin back at the parking area.
