There once was a farmer who won the award for the best wheat in the county every year. One day a woman asked him the secret to his success. He told her that the key is to share his best seeds with his neighbors so they could plant good wheat as well.

The woman asked, “How can you share your best wheat seed with your neighbors when they compete with you every year?”

“That’s simple,” the farmer replied. “The wind spreads the pollen from everyone’s wheat and carries it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior wheat, cross-pollination will degrade everyone’s wheat, including mine. If I’m to grow the best wheat, I must help my neighbors grow the best wheat as well.”

This is not only good advice for growing the best crops, but also excellent advice for how to live your life. If you want to live a meaningful and happy life, help others find happiness.

I love the saying, "If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else."

Happiness is incredibly important. That’s why August is National Happiness Month. It is not just a fleeting emotion or a byproduct of success. It is a state of mind that can significantly influence both your personal and professional lives. I often say that happiness is not a spectator sport -- you must actively participate in the pursuit of your own joy. It is a powerful force that can shape your outlook on life, your interactions with others and your overall well-being.

“Happiness is an inside job,” said New York Times best-selling author Mandy Hale. “Don’t assign anyone else that much power over your life.”

The pursuit of happiness is a personal journey, and what brings joy to one person may differ for another. However, there are several universal strategies that can help you obtain happiness.

Some of the insights that I’ve found to be effective include:

Choose to be positive. Cultivate a positive outlook and focus on the good in your life. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Regularly reflect on and appreciate the things and people you’re thankful for. With a positive attitude, you are better equipped to bounce back from setbacks and maintain a hopeful perspective. Also, a positive mindset can lead to greater productivity and success. When you are happy, you are more engaged, creative and motivated to achieve your goals.

Incorporate humor into your life. Life is too short to be serious all the time. Look for humor in everyday situations and allow yourself to laugh. Use humor as a tool for hope, signaling that better times are ahead and that you can handle life’s challenges.

Be helpful and kind. Volunteer and help others. Engaging in acts of kindness and volunteering can boost your mood and lead to a happier life. Compliment and thank others. Recognizing the value in others can enhance your relationships and bring joy to both you and them.

Choose joy. Every day, you have the choice to seek out and embrace joy. Make the conscious decision to pursue activities and thoughts that make you happy. At the same time, avoid self-pity, worry and complaining. These negative tendencies can sap your happiness. Work on eliminating them to make room for more joy in your life.

Follow your enthusiasm. Be open to taking detours on your roadmap to happiness. Your enthusiasm may lead you to unexpected and fulfilling places. Enthusiasm is the spark that ignites our lives.

Happiness also has been linked to better health outcomes. When you are happy, you are likely to experience less stress, which can contribute to a stronger immune system and a lower risk of chronic diseases.

Happiness is not a destination; it is a way of life. It is about enjoying the journey and making the most of the moments you have. By actively engaging in these practices, you can create a happier and more fulfilling life for yourself.

Mackay’s Moral: Happiness is like a kiss -- you must share it to enjoy it.

A sergeant in charge of the new recruits ordered: “Soldiers, when I blow the whistle, I want you to shoot at will.”

At that moment one very frightened young man ran across the grounds and out of sight.

The sergeant bellowed, “Who was that? Where is he going?”

“That was Will,” replied one of the recruits.

You can’t be too careful with your language. Words are an incredibly powerful tool. They can open doors or slam them shut. When you are mindful of the words you choose, you are not just communicating; you are painting a picture of who you are. August is National Language Month.

Word choice is the essence of good communication. It is not just about what you say, but how you say it. The right words help you convey your message clearly and avoid misunderstandings. Words carry emotional weight. Your choice of words can set the tone of a conversation, whether it is friendly or aggressive, professional or casual.

The way you speak, especially in leadership positions, sets the tone for your team or organization. Using respectful language encourages others to follow suit.

In sales, negotiations or any form of persuasion, word choice can mean the difference between success and failure. The right words can motivate, inspire and persuade people to take action. Your language reflects your competence and credibility. A strong vocabulary suggests education and intelligence, while poor word choice can undermine your expertise.

Words are the building blocks of relationships. They can build trust, show empathy and create bonds. The wrong words can damage relationships, sometimes irreparably. Certain words can offend or alienate people. By choosing your words wisely, you respect your listeners and create a more inclusive environment.

A rich vocabulary allows you to express yourself clearly and concisely. It shows that you can think critically and articulate your thoughts in a way that is both respectful and intelligent. Expanding your vocabulary is a sign of personal growth. It shows a commitment to learning and self-improvement, which are admirable qualities in any individual.

By improving your vocabulary and being mindful of your language, you equip yourself with a toolset that can enhance your personal and professional life.

You never know who might be listening or who might take offense to certain words. By keeping your language clean, you minimize the risk of offending someone unintentionally.

Using inappropriate language can damage your reputation and credibility. It can suggest a lack of self-control or respect for others, which is not the impression you want to give to colleagues, clients or superiors. A major part of self-control is mouth-control.

As the old saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Swearing or using obscenities during an initial meeting, such as a job interview, can be an immediate deal-breaker. It can overshadow your qualifications and experience.

I have a story that underscores the importance of using proper language, and it's a lesson I've carried with me throughout my career.

Years ago, I was in a high-stakes negotiation with a potential partner. The deal was significant, and both parties stood to gain considerably from a successful agreement. The atmosphere was tense, as you might expect with so much on the line. We were in the final stages of discussion when the representative from the other company, perhaps out of stress or habit, let slip a few unbelievable choice words.

Now, I'm no prude, but in a professional setting, I believe in maintaining a certain level of decorum. The use of such language, especially in a delicate phase of negotiation, was jarring. It not only broke the flow of our conversation but also made me question the professionalism and the culture of the other organization.

Instead of reacting negatively, I took a moment and then calmly addressed the language used. I expressed my belief in the importance of professionalism and how our words reflect on us and our companies. The representative immediately realized the mistake and apologized. We were able to move past the incident and eventually closed the deal.

This experience reinforced for me that proper language is not just about avoiding offense; it's about setting a tone of mutual respect and professionalism. It's a testament to the power of words to either bridge gaps or create divides. Since then, I've always strived to lead by example and encourage those around me to do the same.

Mackay’s Moral: It is wiser to choose what you say than to say what you choose.

A city mouse went on a visit to his cousin in the countryside. The cousin welcomed him with a modest meal of beans. The city mouse turned up his nose and said, “I cannot understand how you can live with such poor food. Come to the city, and I’ll show you what a real feast is like.”

The two mice traveled to the city. In the dining room, they found the remains of a meal left by humans who lived in the house, and soon the two mice were enjoying jellies, cakes and puddings. Suddenly, they heard a noise. The country mouse said, “What is that?”

“It’s just the dog who lives here,” his cousin replied.

Just then, the door flew open and in charged a huge snarling dog. The two mice ran off.

“Goodbye, cousin,” said the country mouse.

“You’re going so soon?” said his cousin.

“Yes,” he replied. “Less at peace is better than more in fear.”

Fear is a fascinating adversary. It is not just an emotion; it is a force that can dictate our actions and impact our lives profoundly. In one of my columns from many years ago, I shared a story about a student warrior who had to face fear. The warrior felt small and intimidated, while fear loomed large and threatening. But when the warrior asked fear how it could be defeated, fear revealed that its power came from its ability to unsettle and dictate action through intimidation.

The lesson here boils down to this: Fear has only as much power as we allow it to have. When we are faced with fear, we have a choice. We can let it paralyze us, or we can confront it and learn from it.

Fear often prevents people from taking risks, but embracing fear can lead to innovation and new opportunities. By stepping out of your comfort zone, you open yourself to experiences that can lead to success.

Managing your fears requires you to regulate your emotions, which enhances your emotional intelligence. Understanding your emotional responses to fear can improve your relationships and decision-making.

The best way to tackle fear is to first understand it. Identify what you are afraid of. Is it failure, rejection or the unknown? Acknowledge that fear is a natural response to a perceived threat. Identifying your fears helps you understand your limitations and the boundaries you need to push. It reveals your values and priorities by highlighting what you are afraid to lose or fail at. By anticipating what you’re afraid of, you can take steps to mitigate risks. This proactive approach can reduce the likelihood of your fears materializing.

Leadership guru John C. Maxwell observed, “The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one.”

I’ll be the first to admit that I have some fears that follow me. On the silly side, I’m afraid of embarrassing myself on the golf course. I have never let that stop me from playing, and somehow, I have survived every double bogey that becomes fodder for a lot of ribbing from my buddies. More seriously, I fear threats to my company -- another pandemic, supply shortage, finding enough qualified staff -- but we keep the doors open despite it all. We all have fears; it's how we deal with them that matters.

Confront your fear instead of running away from it. Face it head-on. Use fear as a signal that you are about to do something brave and worthwhile. Every encounter with fear is an opportunity for growth. Whether you succeed or fail, there is a lesson to be learned in your bravery.

Every time you face fear you build resilience, which is the ability to bounce back from setbacks. Confronting and overcoming fears leads to personal growth and a stronger sense of self-efficacy.

“Do the thing you fear to do and keep on doing it ... that is the quickest and surest way ever yet discovered to conquer fear,” advised Dale Carnegie, the motivational author.

Being courageous isn’t about the absence of fear; it is about moving forward despite feeling afraid. It is about using fear as a catalyst for growth, not a barrier to success.

Remember, fear itself is not the enemy. It is a natural response that can be harnessed for positive outcomes. The key is to not let fear control you, but rather to use it as a steppingstone to greater achievements.

Mackay’s Moral: When you make friends with fear, it can’t rule your world.