---
title: "The Secret to Happiness: Living for Others"
description: "We can learn the secret to happiness in Fr. Spitzer's 4 Levels of Happiness. Here, he specifically discusses level 3: living for others."
---

[Magis Center Blog | Faith Questions & Answers ](https://www.magiscenter.com/blog)

# [The Secret to Happiness: Living for Others](https://www.magiscenter.com/blog/the-secret-to-happiness-living-for-others)

 Written by [Magis Center](https://www.magiscenter.com/blog/author/magiscenter) | September 29, 2023

In the video below, Father Spitzer discusses [level 3 happiness](https://www.magiscenter.com/4-levels-of-happiness), which is, in essence, living for others. We all desire [happiness](https://www.magiscenter.com/blog/living-with-happiness-and-purpose). We want our lives to have some significance in the world. In many regards, this [desire](https://www.magiscenter.com/blog/human-desire-god) for happiness almost seems innate. We are not content if our lives don’t do anything for anybody beyond ourselves.

*Discover the breakdown of all Four Levels of Happiness with [this download.](https://www.magiscenter.com/four-levels-of-happiness-download)*

## Level 3 Happiness is Living for Others

Level 3 [happiness](https://www.magiscenter.com/blog/success-and-happiness-are-they-the-same) lies in the desire to make a [positive](https://www.magiscenter.com/blog/positive-emotions-and-the-virtuous-life) difference to something or someone beyond ourselves. This [happiness](https://www.magiscenter.com/blog/increasing-happiness-through-the-exploration-of-transcendence) can manifest through living for others in our family and making contributions to our communities, church, workplace, or even strangers. The more we live for others, acting from either self-sacrifice or even altruism, there is fulfillment to be found.

## Level 1 and 2 Happiness are not Living for Others

Unlike level 3 happiness, which focuses on living for others, level 1 happiness pertains to things in life that give us short bouts of pleasure. Level 1 happiness can be found when we feel something good and then say we feel “happy.” When we eat a fantastic meal or go on a fun trip, these things produce a temporary feeling of happiness. Level 1 happiness cannot be found by living through others because it only lasts as long as the object of our happiness is producing an effect.

Level 2 happiness is also not found by living through others. Instead, it is found in a relative sense. This means that when we have more than another person, we may say that we feel a sense of “happiness” or short fulfillment because the thing we have more of is pleasurable. Level 2 happiness could be found when a person who was competing with a coworker for a raise comes out triumphant. In essence, Level 2 happiness is the antithesis of living through others.

## Living for Others and Victor Frankl

Father Spitzer also discusses Victor Frankl, author of [*Man’s Search for Meaning*](https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl/dp/0807014273/ref=asc_df_0807014273/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312031138203&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1118980491657311429&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008262&hvtargid=pla-493171359305&psc=1), and how, in the German concentration camps of World War II, he found meaning despite immense suffering by living for others.

*Read the captivating story of [Hans Polk](https://www.magiscenter.com/story-of-a-holocaust-survivor).*

Victor Frankl found that while some prisoners were living through level 2 happiness and despairing at their [suffering](https://www.magiscenter.com/why-does-god-allow-suffering) and misfortune, the prisoners who were living for others obtained level 3 happiness, many of whom eventually were liberated.

By living for others, the level 3 prisoners were able to find profound leadership and meaning despite their inordinate suffering, showing that making contributions to the world can tackle even the darkest of situations. 

 

[View full post](https://www.magiscenter.com/blog/the-secret-to-happiness-living-for-others)

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