by Sammy Stein

Created on: September 16, 2009

Happiness is contagious becauseit is very infectious. Some people you meet leave you with a definite sense of uplifting. You feel better for speaking with them and the world seems a better place. Leaving their company, you feel great - you pass on this feeling to someone you meet and so on. Before you know it, happiness has worked its magic and everyone has caught it.

The other day I was mooching along, feeling OK but not great- just another day- when I passed a young man or about 25. Normally, such brief encouters are met with a downcast gaze, brief eye-contact and we move on but this young man gave me such a broad and cheeky grin I found myself grinning like a Cheshire cat as I walked on.

I met a lady along the same road - someone I would not mind getting to know better actually and normally we simply nod or exchange a brief 'good morning' and pass by but this morning I was grinning away after my encounter with the young man and she stopped and said, ' you look happy!' A conversation followed (and coffee) and so the happiness spread (and you, young man, have my never ending gratitude for your cheeky grin!)

Happiness is definitely contagious. I don't mean that you suddenly feel happy when you are getting over grief or loss but it definitely takes you unawares sometimes and it is one thing I, for one, don't mind catching.

I think why this is so is because we naturally seek happiness- it is our natural state , or should be. Now, some people are miserable so and sos by nature and we all know a few of them but usually, they are seeking happiness and I do not mean just the kind that comes from the odd cheeky grin and coffee date but the kind that fills your soul and continues even while you are dealing with life's little foibles and things Fate throws your way. Those people who spread happiness are at peace with themselves which is why they do not feel threatened, they are happy and always make you feel better for talking to them.

I think it is a blessing when you meet someone who is truly happy - it is impossible to hide and it shines through their eyes, how they talk to you, the respect they show others and their general state of being. I sometimes catch myself eyeing a few individuals who I know and thinking, ' how come you always seem so happy?'. Most people put on an act of being happy and when you talk deeper, they are masking any number of sad things but just a few are genuinely happy, whether through a quirk of circumstances or they are just better equipped to deal with things. These people, of whom I know just a few, I am always pleased to see and hope to catch some of their happiness when they shine their light on me.

Unlike other diseases,happiness is good for us and I hope, just hope, that a few happy people throw some of their happiness my way - and that I am lucky enough to catch it.

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