Happy People

Wow! What a brilliant and insightful person Washington was. While reading through his excerpt from Up From Slavery I got the feeling that I would've loved to listen to him speak. From his writing, he comes across as a very humble and genuine person. Because of this, his argument often seems subtle, but it is also very strategic and powerful. 

Just reading about how he grew up, I can't imagine having such a drive for learning. It makes me feel like I under appreciate the opportunities I have in furthering my own education. Learning about how much effort Washington had to put towards even getting to school, I should really start to be more grateful.  

"I have found that the happiest people are those who do the most for others; the most miserable are those who do the least." - Booker T. Washington, Up From Slavery

I love this quote. Imagine how happy people would be if they started to care more for others than themselves! Washington's words remind me of what Paul says in his letter to the Philippians. 

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vein conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." - Philippians 2: 3-4

So perhaps instead of trying to find happiness within ourselves (like so many self-help books suggest) we should simply do good to others and the joy of serving will fill us with inexplicable happiness. :)