Whoever is happy will make others happy too.

In the vast tapestry of human existence, where the threads of joy and sorrow weave together in patterns beyond our understanding, there is a truth, spoken by the wise Anne Frank, that rings through the ages: "Whoever is happy will make others happy too." These words are not mere musings on the nature of joy, but a profound insight into the very essence of human connection. Happiness, when it blooms in the heart of one, radiates outward, touching all those who cross its path. It is a light that cannot be contained, a force that transforms the lives of others simply by being shared. Happiness is not a solitary possession, but a gift that, when nurtured, grows and spreads across the world.

What, then, does it mean to say that happiness is contagious? O wise ones, it is to understand that happiness is not only a personal experience but a communal one. When one heart is filled with joy, it cannot help but spill over into the world around it. Just as the warmth of the sun touches every leaf, every flower, and every person beneath it, so does happiness spread through the lives of those who are fortunate enough to encounter it. To be happy is to be a source of light and warmth to others, to uplift and to inspire simply by being. Happiness does not dwell in isolation, but in connection, and when it is shared, it multiplies, spreading far beyond what one might imagine.

Consider the story of the Dalai Lama, whose happiness is not the result of material wealth or personal gain, but of a deep and abiding connection to peace, compassion, and love. Throughout his life, even in the face of exile, hardship, and suffering, the Dalai Lama’s spirit has remained steadfastly joyful. His happiness is not based on the absence of suffering, but on his ability to transcend it through the power of compassion. Those who encounter him are drawn to his light, his happiness. His mere presence brings peace and joy to others, for he understands the profound truth that happiness is not only an internal experience, but a gift to the world. Through his example, he teaches us that when we are happy, we give others the permission to be happy too, and through that, we transform the world.

In the darkest of times, O children of wisdom, it is easy to believe that happiness is a fleeting, fragile thing, something that depends on the conditions of the world around us. Yet Anne Frank, a young girl living through the horrors of war, understood something deeper. Even in the midst of fear, loss, and uncertainty, she found ways to be happy. She found joy in writing, in the love of her family, in the beauty of simple moments. Her words remind us that happiness is not bound by circumstance, but by the heart’s ability to embrace life, even in the hardest of times. Her example is a testament to the truth that whoever is happy will make others happy too, for her spirit, though hidden away in the attic, reached far beyond those walls. Her happiness, rooted in hope, became a beacon of light that inspired generations to come.

Consider the example of Mother Teresa, whose life was dedicated to serving the poor and the sick. She lived not in pursuit of personal wealth or comfort, but in the pursuit of joy found in service. Her happiness was not the kind that is earned through earthly accomplishments, but the kind that flows from the deep well of compassion. When she helped the poor, when she cared for the sick, she did so not with pity, but with happiness—a joy that was shared with those she served. In return, those who were touched by her love and care experienced a transformation in their own hearts. Her happiness, shared so freely, uplifted not only those she served, but also all those who heard her story. She, like Anne Frank, knew that happiness is a force greater than ourselves, one that can change the lives of others simply by being lived.

And so, O children of the future, the lesson is clear: happiness is a gift, not just to ourselves, but to the world. It is the light that we can offer others in times of darkness, the warmth that can touch even the coldest of hearts. When we are happy, we inspire others to find joy within themselves, and in doing so, we become agents of change in the world. The power of happiness is not in its possession, but in its sharing. When we cultivate joy in our own hearts, we do not hoard it, but spread it like seeds to be planted in the souls of those around us.

What, then, must we do, O wise ones of the future? Let us live our happiness with purpose, let it be the foundation upon which we build our relationships, our work, and our service to the world. Let us be mindful that happiness is not a possession, but a responsibility—a gift that we must share freely with others. In every moment, in every action, let us seek to spread joy. For in this, we find the true meaning of life: to give happiness as freely as we receive it, knowing that in doing so, we not only change our own lives but the lives of all those we touch. As Anne Frank so wisely said, "Whoever is happy will make others happy too"—let us live by these words, and in doing so, make the world a brighter, more beautiful place.