How do you define happiness? Is it that feeling that makes you all warm inside? Is it those moments you can’t stop smiling? Or when you hear your favorite song and immediately relax?

In some cases it’s what you do for others that can make you happy. Happiness is different for everyone, but as humans there are certain things that can make people happy that they may have never realized before.

The Science of Happiness is a video series that the YouTube channel SoulPancake started in 2013, experimenting on what actually makes us happy. This particular video on gratitude stood out to me, because how often do you truly think about the happiness and mood of others before yourself?

I’m not saying the world is a place full of people only looking out for themselves, but it is human nature to think about yourself over others. Have you ever considered what it would be like if you didn’t? Or maybe you have experienced first hand that when you show someone gratitude and lift their mood- yours in turn is lifted as well.

With that I welcome you to please watch this video and think about what it is saying.

The first time I watched that video I felt a roller coaster of emotions. I felt for each of those people, who I have never met before. Simply seeing them become happier before my eyes had an effect on me.

I think it is something everyone should be aware of because no matter how successful you are, how much money you make, or how many friends you have- it is the connection you have with people that truly makes you happy. Being able to show someone how much they mean to you and articulate the impact they have had on your life can truly turn your happiness around. And everyone deserves to be happy.

As I continue to transition to the adult world, I realize that happiness is low on the scale of importance to many people. As people get older they stop doing the things that truly make them happy. In one of my classes recently, our professor challenged us to think about what made us happiest as a kid and to do it now. It was eye opening how many people had simple things like reading or writing in their diary, but said they stopped because they just didn’t have time anymore.

Re-find that thing that made you happy and feel on top of the world and go do it! Life is too short to not be happy. So, next time you are having a long week, stop and do something for yourself. Do something that makes you happy and do something that will make someone else happy.

Thank someone for doing a nice thing. Hell, thank them for simply being them. That is my challenge for you. Show someone in your life how much you love them.

I did this by calling my mom and I’ll just say it was well worth it. I won’t ruin the experience for you, so go do it yourself. Let’s just say, I’ll be the girl who is skipping around campus because I promise you- when you thank them for what they have done for you, you’ll feel like a million bucks.