My mantra is: Let there be happiness in my soul, and let me share

The writer and philosopher of beauty, Alexandra Stoddard, once offered a gentle yet radiant truth when she said: “My mantra is: Let there be happiness in my soul, and let me share it with the world.” Though spoken with simplicity, her words shine like the morning sun upon the waters of the heart. In this short invocation lies the entire art of living well. It is not merely a wish for joy, but a declaration of intent—to cultivate inner peace, to let the soul be filled first with light, and then to become a vessel through which that light flows outward to others. It is a philosophy that harmonizes the ancient wisdom of the East and West: that true happiness begins within, and from that sacred center, spreads outward like ripples in a calm sea.

The origin of these words lies in Stoddard’s lifelong pursuit of grace, order, and serenity amid the chaos of modern life. As a designer, author, and teacher, she sought not only to beautify homes, but to ennoble hearts. Her mantra reflects a principle the ancients knew well—that a joyful spirit is both a blessing and a responsibility. In the temples of Greece, they carved into the marble, “Know thyself,” and in the forests of India, sages taught, “He who has mastered himself brings peace to the world.” Both truths converge here. For when one’s soul is in harmony, the world around it cannot help but be lifted by its music.

To say “Let there be happiness in my soul” is to begin where all transformation must begin—with the inner life. The ancients compared the soul to a lamp: if its flame is pure, it illuminates even the darkest night; but if it is clouded by fear, envy, or sorrow, the world itself appears dim. Many chase after happiness in the outer things—in gold, praise, and fleeting pleasure—but such pursuits leave the spirit hollow. Happiness, in its truest form, is not something we find; it is something we create within ourselves, through gratitude, simplicity, and love. It is the fruit of a heart that has learned to rest in its own peace.

The second half of her mantra—“Let me share it with the world”—is no less profound. For happiness kept to oneself is incomplete; it is in its nature to radiate. Like the sun, it fulfills its purpose only when it gives. The wise have always taught that joy multiplies when shared. When Francis of Assisi walked among the poor, his smile alone was said to bring comfort to the suffering. He owned nothing, yet he gave everything—the warmth of his spirit, the kindness of his gaze, the song of his soul. His happiness was not dependent on ease or wealth, but flowed from an inner spring that no hardship could dry. Such is the power of sharing one’s inner light: it becomes a beacon for others still lost in shadow.

There is a lesson here for every seeker. In an age consumed by noise, competition, and unrest, Stoddard’s mantra calls us back to simplicity. She reminds us that the greatest act of service is not always in grand deeds, but in the quiet radiance of a contented heart. To share happiness is to become a living blessing—to speak kindly when others are harsh, to bring calm where there is confusion, to smile when the world is weary. The wise do not hoard joy; they sow it like seed, knowing that even a single act of kindness may bloom into a garden in another’s heart.

But this path demands discipline. One must first cultivate happiness within, and this is no easy task. It requires gratitude for what one has, patience with what one cannot change, and faith in what one cannot see. It requires the humility to forgive, the courage to hope, and the stillness to listen to the quiet song of the soul. Only then can joy be genuine—rooted deep, not tossed about by the tempests of circumstance. The truly happy person is not untouched by sorrow, but unbroken by it, for their peace comes not from the world, but from the depths of their own being.

And so, my child, let this teaching be your compass: make of your life a lamp, and fill it first with the oil of happiness. Each morning, whisper this mantra to yourself—“Let there be happiness in my soul, and let me share it with the world.” Live it not as a phrase, but as a practice. Seek joy not in possessions, but in purpose; not in applause, but in compassion. When you find contentment, let it flow outward—in words, in deeds, in the silent warmth of your presence. For the soul that gives joy becomes eternal, its light unquenchable, its beauty undying.

Thus remember: happiness is both a treasure and a duty. To nurture it is wisdom; to share it is love. And when the light of your soul touches another, even for a moment, you fulfill the highest purpose of all—to bring a little more light into this shadowed world.