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Today's reading was edited and adapted from Happiness by Arthur James Cappell, published in 1919.

Today I would like to share with you some thoughts on happiness and living a happy life.

First of all, be grateful for kindness shown to you, and see to it that you return a good deed with interest if the

opportunity presents itself, or better yet, make the opportunity, lest you forget.

On the other hand, if another person tries to show you their appreciation for some kind act,

do not make it hard for them to repay you. Instead anticipate their wish and meet them

halfway, thus assisting them on the road to happiness by helping them fulfill their desire.

It is selfish to refuse their repayment.

If you did your good act in the right spirit, you will remember the pleasure and satisfaction

that you derived in so doing.

Let the other person experience the same sensation.

Don't look upon any kindness shown to you with suspicion.

There are still some sincere people in the world.

Believe in them, and it will help them to be sincere.

Have you ever noticed how you are always certain when you have done a really good act, how it stimulates you, acting quicker than the strongest

medicine, and leaving nothing but good results? If you haven't, try it. The truth of the matter is,

the more good acts one does, the greater the pleasure. This is because the more you do,

the more you are able to do, without giving the action any thought. In other words, the action becomes spontaneous and not studied.

In fact, it becomes a habit. Get into the habit. Sincerity should be everything to you, and a duty you owe

other people. Good acts with strings attached to them are not good acts.

So far as the doer of them is concerned, in fact acts of this nature are worse than wrongs done.

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