{"id":9446,"date":"2024-11-26T07:32:17","date_gmt":"2024-11-26T11:32:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/by-giving-we-gain\/"},"modified":"2024-11-26T07:32:17","modified_gmt":"2024-11-26T11:32:17","slug":"by-giving-we-gain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/by-giving-we-gain\/","title":{"rendered":"By giving, we gain"},"content":{"rendered":"

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As research<\/span><\/a> and everyday experience shows, acting with generosity makes us happier.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When we\u2019re caught up in our day-to-day routines, it\u2019s easy to lose track of how we\u2019re spending our time, energy, and money.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But when we mindfully invest these resources in the causes that are important to us, we know we\u2019re putting our values into the world in a concrete and meaningful way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Research shows that generosity can foster a sense of community, give us the knowledge that we\u2019re supporting something larger than ourselves, and boost our happiness. Do good, feel good! It really works.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, action is often an antidote to anxiety. When we\u2019re feeling overwhelmed by events, we often feel better when we take action, in our own individual ways, to address the challenges and pain we see.<\/span><\/p>\n

In my study of happiness, my <\/span>Second Splendid Truth<\/span><\/a> is:\u00a0
<\/span>One of the best ways to make <\/span>yourself<\/span><\/i> happy is to make <\/span>other people<\/span><\/i> happy;<\/span>
<\/span>One of the best ways to make <\/span>other people<\/span><\/i> happy is to be happy <\/span>yourself<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first half of this statement is absolutely true\u2013and it\u2019s one of the nicest things about human nature. One of the best ways to make <\/span>yourself<\/span><\/i> happy is to make <\/span>other people<\/span><\/i> happy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some people believe that the fact that you get \u201ccredit\u201d for a worthy act somehow minimizes its worth, and along the same lines, some people argue that you can never act with true altruism, because performing good acts bring the pleasure of happiness. My view: all the better!<\/span><\/p>\n

The fact is, the sight of someone performing a generous or kind act always makes me feel happy. <\/span>Especially<\/span><\/i> if it\u2019s <\/span>me<\/span><\/i>! The spectacle of virtue inspires the feeling of elevation\u2014one of the most gratifying pleasures that the world offers. As Simone Weil observed, \u201cImaginary evil is romantic and varied; real evil is gloomy, monotonous, barren, boring. Imaginary good is boring; real good is always new, marvelous, intoxicating.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, one of the best ways to make <\/span>yourself<\/span><\/i> happy is to make <\/span>other people<\/span><\/i> happy.<\/span><\/p>\n

And the second part of the Second Splendid Truth is equally important: One of the best ways to make <\/span>other people<\/span><\/i> happy is to be happy <\/span>yourself<\/span><\/i>. Happier people tend to make people happier. You can\u2019t <\/span>make<\/span><\/i> someone be happy, but your own happiness often rubs off on other people.<\/span><\/p>\n

People often imagine that we must choose one course or the other, but in fact the two parts don\u2019t contradict each other, they reinforce each other.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the most common and effective ways to contribute to the happiness, health, and opportunities of others is to donate to causes we believe in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But something that can be done at <\/span>any <\/span><\/i>time is often done at <\/span>no <\/span><\/i>time. It\u2019s so easy to intend to donate to an important cause\u2013but then forget to follow up, or neglect to do the research to figure out how to support that cause.<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why I love the annual day of GivingTuesday! And I\u2019m thrilled that I\u2019ve joined the board of GivingTuesday.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s such a simple and powerful idea: Given the intense focus on <\/span>buying <\/span><\/i>during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, take a day to focus on <\/span>giving<\/span><\/i>. (Black Friday always falls on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Cyber Monday is the following Monday, and GivingTuesday is the next day.)<\/span><\/p>\n

GivingTuesday is now a global movement that unites people in generosity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Asha Curran\u2019s excellent TED talk, \u201c<\/span>How acts of kindness sparked a global movement<\/span><\/a>,\u201d provides a good explanation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Where & how to start:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The approach of GivingTuesday also reflects the fact that there\u2019s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question, \u201cWhat cause should I support?\u201d Each of us must decide that question for ourselves\u2013on GivingTuesday and every other day. Here are some questions to consider:<\/span><\/p>\n