A group of one hundred people were attending a seminar on personal development, and they were all listening to a speaker as part of the seminar agenda. In the middle of his talk, the speaker stops and decides to run an impromptu group activity. An inflated balloon is handed out to each attendee. The speaker tells them to each write their name on their balloon.

The balloons are collected and placed in an adjacent room.

The speaker then instructs the 100 attendees to enter that room and, within five short minutes, find the balloon with their name on it.

Pandemonium breaks loose as they charge in, pushing and colliding with each other as they desperately search for their name.

The five minutes pass and nobody succeeds.

The speaker then tells each person to pick up any random balloon and give it to the person whose name is written on it. Within a few minutes everyone has their balloon back.

He then said, “What just happened with those balloons is exactly what happens in our search for happiness. We frantically look for it all around us, not knowing where it is.”

“Yet our happiness lies in the happiness of others. By giving them their happiness, you get yours.”

Moral of the story:

Happiness and fulfillment rarely come from selfish pursuits, but almost always come from doing good deeds for others. By helping others we help ourselves.

- Unknown

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How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!    Psalm 133:1 NIV

Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Philippians 2:2 NLT

Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Romans 15:6 NLT 

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If you liked this story and would like a copy of either of my books,
they are available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle format:

If you have a story or testimony that you think might bless others,
I invite you to send it by email to me (Kenneth Kersey) at godsotherways@me.com.

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