If you want happiness for an hour…
take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day…
go fishing.
If you want happiness for a month…
get married.
If you want happiness for a year…
inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime…
help someone else.
Chinese proverb
So Now What?
In a study at the University of Pennsylvania, volunteers asked to engage in either a pleasurable or charitable act reported that the charitable act caused them to feel happier longer than the pleasurable one did.
Altruism beats out pleasure for greater happiness.
Just by giving to somebody, giving of your time, energy or money, that releases hormones, neurotransmitters, and protective antibodies which increase the immune system.
When altruism was studied with MRIs it was found that giving lit up the same areas of the brain that lit up when you received a reward.
Your brain creates something called the Helper’s High, similar to a runner’s high after a workout. Giving releases endorphins and dopamine which lead to a feeling of elation followed
by a feeling of calm.
Studies also show that you live longer and are healthier.
Don’t have any money to donate to your favorite charity?
So busy with work and family that you don’t have any extra time to help out with a project?
That’s ok because sometimes the best thing you can do for another person is to just give them your attention and listen.
And I don’t mean you keep quite while you’re thinking of what you’re going to say next. I mean you give your full attention and you make them feel like they’re the most important person in the room.
We are living in a time when a lot people have given up. Given up their dream of ever being healthy, financially free, having a wonderful relationship. They have declared it over for them. You’re going to run into someone tomorrow who doesn’t have any hope.
Listen to them, give them encouragement, compliment them, support them, give them love, give them a smile, let them know that they are important to the world even if they believe that they are not. Do you think that would be helpful to them?
You know you so have what it takes to make this world an amazing place.
Stay Amazing!!!
Craig
