Your feelings make ripples

The way we feel has an effect, an influence beyond ourselves, on people we know and even on people who we don’t know.

Who I know, who they know

That’s what the research into social networks tells us. My social network is made up of the people that I know, the people that they know, and sometimes even further beyond. If I am feeling happy today, the people that I know, and with whom I have some contact, are likely to feel somewhat happier also. And people that they know, and with whom they are in contact, are also likely to feel somewhat happier.

Our own moods also are influenced by other people in our network just as we influence theirs. So we don’t just function alone, we are part of a social network which has an effect on us, and in which we have an effect on others.

Not just an inside job

I think it’s good to know that if you’re feeling positive, that has an effect on other people around you. Happiness isn’t just an inside job. Some of your happiness comes from the effect on you of what’s rippling out from the happiness of others. And your happiness is also rippling out to the people you know.

So we’re in a socially connected world, an emotionally connected world. And I think that can be a source of some inspiration and encouragement to us.

My online course True Friend  will help you be more compassionate to yourself and the effects of that will ripple out to others.  Payment is by donation. More information