Happiness is Giving
image credit: Marcus Vegas
Great post over at the Carbon Conscious Consumer Blog. According to a new study referenced in an article in the UK Telegraph, there are 2 basic keys to one’s happiness.
In short:
* Give money away, especially in a socially-responsible way, to attain true happiness.
* Make friends with others that aren’t as wealthy as you are.
The study states that:
giving a couple of pounds ($5 US) each day rather than to splurge on treats, fashion and consumer goods for yourself is the recipe for contentment…
And have you wondered why it makes people happier to have more money than a peer?
Researchers have long understood that wealth effects are positional – people care far less about their absolute level of income or consumption than about how they’re doing relative to their peers. That’s why a millionaire among billionaires can feel deprived — and it’s probably what motivates many phenomenally wealthy people to acquire even more.
Obviously, there are many, many other means to happiness (family, selfless pursuits, being outdoors are the first that come to mind), but I really believe that giving does lead to happiness.
Even something as simple as cleaning out a room, sorting possessions into recycling, donation and storage piles can give a sense of fulfillment and lightness. For me, this is especially true of the things I can give for someone else’s use.
The study also gives an interesting twist to the wealth equation: a multi-millionaire in a room with billionaires feeling inferior, if the study is correct?
That certainly is relevant to consumer-centric pursuits that many get caught up in. Not exactly the simple life…
What do you think: other than being somewhat shallow, does this study reflect the truth in our country and world?
