It's enough to indulge and to be selfish but true happiness is

“It’s enough to indulge and to be selfish, but true happiness is really when you start giving back.” So spoke Adrian Grenier, actor and environmental advocate, whose words rise beyond fame and fortune to touch the ancient truth of the human soul. Beneath the simplicity of his statement lies a wisdom older than kingdoms: that self-indulgence may fill the moment, but only selflessness fills the heart. For though the world teaches man to grasp and gather, the spirit finds its joy not in possession, but in generosity. To give is not to lose—it is to awaken the divine within, to discover that life’s greatest pleasure lies not in having much, but in sharing much.

The origin of Grenier’s insight comes from his own journey through the glittering yet hollow halls of success. Known first for fame, he later turned his gaze toward service—to environmental causes, to sustainability, to the healing of the planet that sustains us all. Through that transformation, he discovered the eternal principle: that indulgence satisfies the body, but giving nourishes the soul. His words echo the teachings of sages and saints from every age—reminding us that joy that begins and ends with the self is a flame that soon burns out, while joy that flows toward others becomes an everlasting light.

It is not wrong to indulge, for even the ancients understood that pleasure is part of the divine order. To enjoy beauty, food, laughter, and comfort is natural to mankind. Yet when indulgence becomes the goal rather than the gratitude, it poisons the spirit. Selfishness breeds hunger that cannot be fed—it devours without ever being satisfied. The more one clings to pleasure, the more it slips through the fingers like sand. But when the heart learns to give, to pour its abundance into the lives of others, joy returns multiplied. In this paradox lies the secret of true happiness: what we keep for ourselves dies with us; what we give away becomes immortal.

Consider the story of Mother Teresa, who left behind comfort, wealth, and worldly safety to serve the poorest of the poor. She owned nothing, yet she was rich beyond measure. Her days were filled with suffering, yet she smiled as though heaven lived within her. What she gave—love, care, compassion—was intangible, yet it transformed lives. Through her, the world saw what Grenier’s words mean in their highest form: that giving back is the truest act of fulfillment. The body grows weary from indulgence, but the soul is renewed by generosity. In her selflessness, Mother Teresa found a joy deeper than any pleasure, and her example continues to feed the hungry hearts of humanity.

The ancients, too, spoke of this divine balance. In the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna reminds the warrior Arjuna that man has the right to action, but not to its fruits; that to live rightly is to serve, to give, to offer the self in love. Similarly, the Stoics taught that virtue, not luxury, is the source of peace. The philosopher Seneca wrote, “No man is more unhappy than he who never gives.” Across centuries, across creeds, the message endures: service is the song of the soul, and giving is its harmony with the universe.

This truth, though eternal, is difficult for the modern heart. The world whispers that happiness is found in wealth, in fame, in comfort. But these are shadows, not light. They fade when the night of loneliness falls. What endures is connection—the bond forged through compassion, through kindness, through the willingness to give of oneself. When a man turns outward and lifts another, he rises with him. When a woman offers love to the weary, she herself becomes stronger. Giving back is not loss; it is participation in the great rhythm of life, where to bless others is to be blessed in return.

So let this be the lesson: Live, but live not only for yourself. Enjoy the gifts of this world, but do not make them your gods. When your cup overflows, do not drink alone. Share your time, your strength, your voice, your love. Give to the earth that feeds you, to the friend who falters, to the stranger who suffers. Begin small—a word of kindness, a moment of listening, a hand extended in service. In these acts, the heart expands, and you will know the truth of Grenier’s words: that indulgence may please for a day, but giving back brings joy for eternity. For in giving, you do not diminish your light—you make it shine brighter, until it becomes a beacon for all who dwell in the darkness.