HOW TO BE HAPPY FOR A LIFETIME

Someone said this about happiness:

To be happy for an hour -- take a nap.

To be happy for a day -- go shopping.

To be happy for a week -- take a vacation.

To be happy for a month -- get married.

To be happy for a year -- inherit a fortune.

To be happy for a lifetime -- help others.

You and I may argue with a couple of points on that list, but theauthor is exactly right about how to be happy for the rest ofyour life. Lasting contentment can always be found in helpingothers. It is truly a secret that many people have neverdiscovered! Marion Preminger stumbled upon it and wrote about where lastinghappiness is to be found in her autobiography ALL I WANT IS EVERYTHING.

Born in Hungary in 1913, Marion was raised in acastle, surrounded by wealth, servants and the notoriety of anaristocratic upbringing. At a Viennese ball, she met a handsome young man, the son of anItalian doctor. They rushed into a marriage that lasted only ayear. She returned to Vienna to embark on a career of acting. There shefell in love with the German director Otto Preminger. Theymarried and she followed him to America where he began apromising career as a Hollywood movie director. But her newHollywood lifestyle could not sustain her marriage and Premingereventually divorced her. Marion returned to Europe to live the life of a Parisiansocialite until 1948. Then everything changed when she read thatDr. Albert Schweitzer was visiting Europe from his home inAfrica. She determined to meet with the notable missionary doctor. She first encountered Schweitzer doing one of the things he lovedto do best while visiting Europe -- playing a church organ forhis own enjoyment. He invited her to dine with him. After themeal, Marion knew she had finally found what she'd been lookingfor. She accompanied Schweitzer every day during the remainder ofhis European visit. He invited Marion to come back to Africa with himand work as an untrained staff member in the Lamberene hospital. She left her life of status and ease and moved to Africa.Once there, the girl who was raised like a princess became a servant.She changed bandages, bathed bodies and fed lepers. She gave her lifeaway to the poor and, because of it, found the happiness she'd cravedfor so long. It was Albert Schweitzer who asserted, "One thing I know: theonly ones among you who will be really happy are those who willhave sought and found how to serve." However, wherever and whomever you choose to help is unimportant.There are those in need everywhere. But when you figure out howto sincerely serve other people, you'll have also learned how to behappy for a lifetime.Make a plan to make a difference over the next year. Lay down the rules, hey im not interested in anything sexual but if your looking for a friend I AM HERE. CALL ME. I AM INTERESTED IN BEING YOUR FRIEND.