**Whatever you lack, that’s what you’ve got to give **

Rumination, or the obsessive loop of focusing on one's own thoughts and feelings, is a significant contributor to unhappiness and can lead to depression and suicidal thoughts. To counteract this negative cycle, a practical approach is to shift focus from oneself to helping others, which alleviates the fixation on personal troubles. This mindset shift—recognizing that what one feels is lacking should be given to others—serves as a powerful tool for improving mental well-being. For instance, if one feels a lack of respect, they should extend respect to others; similarly, sharing financial resources can combat feelings of scarcity. This principle applies to various aspects of life, including health and sleep, emphasizing that excessive introspection can detract from well-being. Over-fixation on self-improvement and therapy may lead to excessive self-absorption, detracting from true happiness. The most content individuals are often those who engage less in extreme introspection and actively contribute to the well-being of others.