I stumbled across a photograph on Life magazine’s website, accompanied by a headline, “Is This the Happiest Photo Ever Made?” It is a photo by renowned photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt (one of my personal faves) and depicts a drum major from the University of Michigan in full stride, seemingly unaware that he has acquired a following.

This photo captures in-the-moment joy in a manner I’ve hardly seen elsewhere. The drum major’s attitude is clearly infectious, if his little band of followers is any indication.

Living a life of mindful compassion is infectious as well. You may not see your followers in a line behind you, but rest assured that they are out there mimicking your behavior with countless acts of compassion of their own.