Most people know Rainn Wilson from his role as Dwight Schrute on the award-winning show "The Office." However, Wilson has done much more with his fame, such as co-founding the media company SoulPancake, which aims to discuss the hard topics in life and share those discussions with others. Wilson has traveled all over the country to give lectures about his company and its purpose. Recently, Miami University students and faculty gathered into a sold-out auditorium on campus where Wilson gave one of these lectures to share insight into the importance of joy and showing appreciation for others.
As a member of the audience, I can truly say that his lecture, although humorous at times, was extremely moving. It wasn't a talk fueled by politics or advancing his own fame, but one about overcoming obstacles and appreciating what is given to us. The night can be summed up in one word: joy.
Joy was a fundamental theme to his overall message, and it could be found radiating from Wilson as well as the crowd that he was addressing. At the beginning of the lecture, Wilson displayed a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which read, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" This question would be addressed again at the end of the lecture, but with a new meaning after he discussed the importance and relevance of this quote in regard to overall happiness during the hour-and-a-half lecture.
One factor that can lead to more joy, as Wilson discussed, is expressing gratitude for the most important people in our lives. During the lecture, Wilson had everyone in attendance take out their phone and type a letter to someone important to them. He timed us for a minute and a half as we wrote heartfelt, honest letters to someone we loved. Writing a letter like that made me tear up. It made me recognize how important those people in my life are and how little I actually express my gratitude to them for being a part of it.
After the time was up, Wilson had us promise that we would share our letters with the people that we wrote them about, and he showed us a video where others did this same activity. Afterward, the video explained that the overall happiness of those who did the activity increased significantly, and as a participant myself, I can understand why. As Wilson explained, it's extremely easy for us to be pessimistic all the time, and it can be hard sometimes to remain grateful for everything and everyone that we have in our lives. However, expressing thanks to those we love is much more fulfilling than the negativity that we accept so easily.
Wilson made it clear throughout the course of the night that helping others and showing gratitude for them is beneficial in bringing us true, honest joy. As MLK Jr. first said, and Wilson emphasized, we should always be questioning what we are doing for others. If we go out of our way to show kindness and express gratitude, our happiness will be significantly improved, and I'm so grateful that Rainn Wilson was able to make me, and everyone else in attendance, aware of that through his lecture.
