GC#67 - Happy? Clap Along! - The Positive Drug

Have you ever done a good deed? Come on - there must have been something. How did it feel? I'm willing to bet that even if it was uncomfortable, it felt good to have done it. This is true in 99% of cases.

I believe that this is the secret of a phrase that I had never quite understood...until now - שכר מצוה מצוה - the reward of a Mitzva is another Mitzva. Try telling that to your teenage child! But if you begin to realise that the feel good factor - be it because of the adrenalin, endorphins, dopamine, whatever - the fact is, it feels good....so you want to do it again. So yes please, another Mitzva - another kind act. Another simple smile - it's free and will make you, as well as the recipient feel good.

“If someone is too tired to give you a smile, leave one of your own, because no one needs a smile as much as those who have none to give.” The wise words of R' Shimshon Raphael Hirsch.

A smile is infectious and addictive. Keep listening to the end. Try the exercise mentioned and see if it doesn't work...your money back if it doesn't...