By doing simple acts of kindness for others, we can't help but lift ourselves up.  The challenge is that our own lives can be so overwhelming that it is easy to forget that others also have needs. Part of a quality life is learning to appreciate and consider the emotional struggles of our neighbors. The only way to experience the richness of this life is to live in an attitude of gratitude and to appreciate that you have kindness and empathy that you can share.  The very best way to ensure that you have happiness is to assist others in experiencing their own.  In my own experience I have been helped by widows that have also lost their husbands, but my real healing came when I returned their kindness by passing their advice on to even more widows. Remember - we are not alone in this world  :-)