Generosity Is Worth Every Penny
I have come to the conclusion that happiness is so much more important than anything else in our lives-- and not just our lives, but the lives of everyone around us. I have never had “all the money in the world,” so I can’t comment on whether it makes you happy; however, I am currently both the least wealthy and most happy I have ever been in my life. This is because, for the last few years, I have been focused on doing things that make me, and the people around me happy. I will admit I have never been very good with money, but recently I have started actively treating happiness and meaning as my most valuable currencies. What is it that makes me the happiest, you ask? Giving. Be generous to those around me. Focus your time and energy on helping others and doing things you are passionate about, things that provide meaning in your life. Another thing is that most people don’t money and time as separate things. But , let me introduce you to José Mujica, former president of Uruguay:
It is always the dream to be paid well for doing the things we love, but if the choice is to be paid well or to do your dream job, well, I think you can tell where I stand on this. Money is not going to make you happy.
One of the ten principles upon which the Burning Man community is built is “Gifting: Burning Man is devoted to acts of gift giving. The value of a gift is unconditional. Gifting does not contemplate a return or an exchange for something of equal value.” [2] When an entire community holds it up as an ideal, the power of generosity becomes conspicuous: it produces a wildly inventive and expressive culture in the middle of Black Rock City, Nevada, one of the most lifeless places on the planet.
This same principle of gifting can also be adopted at home, as Tony Gareri discusses in his article, “The Amazing Side Effects of Generosity!“:
“Both in our personal life and in the workplace, the side effects of generosity are huge! Research shows that people who are generous are in better overall health and are less often sick. Generosity also promotes cooperation and connectedness, which leads to gratitude and a state of happiness.”[2]
Selfless acts always have net positive gains when you are working with the currencies of happiness and meaning. This is true for our relationships as well. By being humble, sympathetic, and willing to help those in need, you will increase the net happiness of the community around you, be it your town, your team, or your family. Like so many things in our lives, happiness begets happiness. And I think we can all agree that happiness is probably hands-down one of the most attractive characteristics in a potential partner. One top of this, in his TED Talk, Robert Waldinger discusses one of the longest studies on happiness ever conducted. They followed the same people over the course of 75 years. He states, “The clearest message that we get from this 75-year study is this: Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period.”[3]
So why not try this right now? Gareri has a pretty good idea on his blog: “Take a simple sticky note and write something awesome to a co-worker, friend, husband and or wife, acknowledge them for something they recently did, and do it from a place of generosity.”[2] But I suggest you take it a step further. Send a text to the top twenty people in your phone’s message history; thank them for something they did, or compliment them honestly. See how good it feels, and try to stop yourself from sending a few more!
