What would you rather be: popular or happy?
Normally, a happy person does attract friends, but not always. Many times, he must perform all sorts of tricks to gain laughs, hugs, backslaps. Now, to bring joy to others is an act of kindness, but this is not what we really look for. Our baser nature does not seek to give. Rather, it wants the pleasure, the thrill of receiving admiration, applause and love from others.
We need to remember, though, that being popular makes us happy only for a while. For, the animal we call our ego is insatiable -- we cannot feed him enough. As much as he consumes, he wants more, he demands more, endlessly.
Therefore, we should separate our happiness from our popularity. Our good mood should not depend on how loved or hated we are. We need to be joyous without outside help. Then, when an opportunity to be nice to others, to give pleasure to others comes along, we will perform this without waiting for praise and a pat on the back.
We must be happy, no matter our situation. And if the heavens see fit to have others like us, admire us, love us, we will accept the gift gracefully. We will say thank you.
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