“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” appears not only in the Bible, but in cultures around the world. That adage, which has become something of a cliché, lies at the heart of all real etiquette. Once put into practice, it leads us into another realm—that of kindness.

In the scriptural story of the Good Samaritan, we find another example of the goodness that results from a combination of manners, friendliness, and generosity. The Samaritan comes across a stranger lying by the roadside, beaten half to death by robbers. Like the travelers preceding him, the Samaritan might have crossed the road and continued on his way, but instead he binds up the man’s wounds, takes him to an inn, and pays for his room and board until the man recovered.  This unnamed Samaritan received joy from helping this stranger.  When Jesus told this story he knew that the Samaritans and the Jews never got along.  They each resented the other.  Each claiming to be God’s chosen.

In “A Christmas Carol.” By Charles Dickins, a renewed Ebenezer Scrooge, now very much aware of his rude and mean-spirited treatment of others, delights in his spiritual makeover: “I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy.”  He was expressing his joy at helping others.

 I just read of a woman who received great joy from her work.  In her words she said. “I view this job as a ministry to help people at one of their lowest points that we all will face. It’s a hard job and challenging, but there is joy that comes from knowing you helped someone as much as possible through a hard time.”  

 Respect for others, kindness, and service: These are components in that invisible force we call joy.

Anyone can test and confirm that service to others brings joy.  Although we are unable to change the circumstances of others, we receive joy for ourselves in knowing perhaps that we have shared a bit of ourselves in their life.
                                         That brings us joy!