Generosity, Philanthropic Giving and Being Happy
Focus Personal Growth on Being Generous to Find the Key to Happiness
Sep 28, 2009
The personal attribute of generosity is much admired in others but too often neglected in one's own personal growth plan.
Though praised in proverbs and on pulpits, philanthropic giving is often considered a responsibility, primarily of the wealthy. Thinking this way of philanthropy and generosity characterizes being generous as an obligation or duty, with resulting guilt and resentment by the reluctant giver.
For many, the concepts of personal growth and development conjure images of learning new skills, sharpening abilities, and pushing forward into new ventures. These are useful growth opportunities; however, one opportunity for personal growth that may be less painful and difficult to master is to simply learning to give generously.
Generosity implies giving money. Monetary gifts, donations, and philanthropic giving are worthy activities, though limited to those with sufficient resources to feel comfortable in giving. However, the broader aspects of being generous — giving of one's time, talents, and wisdom — is available to everyone, has no monetary cost, and provides rich benefits to the philanthropic giver and the recipient.
Devote a week of personal growth to becoming a more generous and philanthropic giver. For those readers following the Sample Personal Growth Plan, this article supplements the focus of week #16.
Benefits of Generosity and Philanthropic Giving
Winston Churchill once said, "You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give." The well-known adage, "'Tis better to give than receive," echoes the same theme – that giving is not only helpful to others, but is also of benefit to the generous giver. Now the scientists of positive psychology are confirming this wisdom with rigorous research studies-being happy correlates with being generous.
In A Primer in Positive Psychology, research psychologist Christopher Peterson references research showing that an orientation to the welfare of others is more satisfying than an orientation to self indulgence.
A research study by Elizabeth W. Dunn, of the University of British Columbia and reported by LiveScience staff writer Jeanna Bryner on March 20, 2008, indicated that while spending on others boosted happiness, spending on oneself did not.
Dr. Stephen Post, at the time a bio-ethicist at Case Western Reserve University, is quoted in a Christian Science Monitor Internet article of July 25, 2007, as saying, "It's abundantly clear from a number of studies that people who live generous lives also live happier lives."
Easy Ways of Being Generous
There are many, many ways to be generous, reaping the personal benefits of generosity while helping others. Among these are:
- Generously Give Time – Helping someone in need may take just a few minutes but will pay big dividends. Small or elderly shoppers often have difficulty reaching items on upper shelves or carrying large items. Offer a hand to help. Those shopping with small children have similar difficulties and will appreciate a helping hand.
- Generously Give Expertise – Skills that come easily to you may be very difficult for someone you know. Dealing with tax returns or insurance forms may be routine for you, but overwhelming to others.
- Generously Show Appreciation – Taking positive action to appreciate those who have made a positive impact on your life has been shown to be a very effective way to increase one's happiness. Write a letter of appreciation and personally deliver it.
- Random Acts of Kindness – Set a personal goal of doing one act of kindness each day, whenever the opportunity presents itself. Setting this intention will keep your subconscious on the lookout for opportunities.
- Generosity with Love – Love is an inexhaustible resource available to everyone. Expressing love for other people, even strangers, can be as simple as freely offering smiles and accepting others as worthwhile human beings regardless of differences in appearance, beliefs, and behaviors.
Generosity, Kindness, and Happiness
Greater happiness is easily and quickly available by simple and inexpensive acts of being generous and kind. Devoting a week of personal growth to generosity and kindness will provide a week of greater happiness while also being helpful to others.
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