THE PRACTICE OF GIVING CAN IMPROVE HAPPINESS IN THE COMMUNITY

THE PRACTICE OF GIVING CAN IMPROVE HAPPINESS IN THE COMMUNITY

Introduction

Peace and harmony thrive in our societies today. The most significant force behind this unimaginable relationship is the fact that humans are social beings. We interact and form irresistible solid relationships. People converge to play and have fun together. The coexistence is the community has been brought by a million virtues, but one surprising source of happiness and social connection is a charity, which is an act giving. Giving; primarily mean the act of helping others without expecting a return. Giving can be in the form of money, gifts, and any other voluntary deed.

Philosophers and religious scholars claim there is an essential connection between happiness and giving.  In China, there is a belief that if one aims to be happy for an hour, then a nap would be best. For one to be satisfied for one day, then undertake activities such as swimming or fishing. To be happy for one year, then inherit a fortune, and if one wants to be happy for a lifetime, then participate in charity activities. Help those in need, and you shall receive everlasting happiness. This paper aims to review if the practice or principle of giving can improve an individual’s happiness and building social connections in the community.

1. Where the connection exists

In a few or more instances, we all experience existential feelings, inadequacy, loneliness, and meaningless. We all try to get rid of feeling through yoga, trips to mountains, and a monthly subscription to the latest or greatest ‘mindfulness’ apps well; there is a magical way to be happy. Imagine those moments; you receive birthday presents or gifts. The warm feeling and thoughts are cascading, concerning the type of the gift, of course, it must be what you expect. The eyes light up, and happiness fills up the room.

When you think of saint, we all think of the mother of charity: mother Theresa. She was a Roman Catholic nun who dedicated her life to serving the poor. She received noble peace because of the years of service of self-denial. Mother Theresa established many homes for the poor and rejected in society. The orphans and elderly found peace in her acts of giving food, shelter, and clothing.

She never ceased to serve others despite many stumbling blocks. Giving has no limit. Self-denial has our ethical responsibility has many dimensions. Some chose to provide food, and others decide to give money, clothing, and even shelter to those around them. Happiness coexists in the societies in the form of putting a smile on another person’s face. Fulfilling another person’s needs, be it closely related or not, has numerous benefits to both characters.

We never wake and go through the streets without finding an opportunity to do god to another person. We meet beggars and homeless children asking for our help. Charity does not only go the hands of the misfortune in the societies, but also Those well-off many need an extra hand in their day to day activities. The blind that needs help across the crosswalk or a Professor with a couple of books to carry. These are just a few opportunities of a million in our everyday life.

1. How it exists

Professor Michael Norton of Harvard gathered 600 Americans and did an investigation on how they spend their income in the past few months. Some spent on their personal needs, and others claimed that they spend a certain fraction on fulfilling other people’s needs. Those who spend money on others were found to be happier than their counterparts. He went further and gave $5 or $20 to some individuals and asked them to spend any way they wanted. The results showed that those who spent another were happier than those who spent on their own needs

Professor Elizabeth of the University of British Columbia Dunn wished to proveprove the notion. She carried the study on 600 Americans and also gave students the $5 or $20. The study was carried out in different countries such as Canada and Uganda. Despite the different locations, the results showed correlation with Norton’s conclusion. Form the self-rating on the level of happiness. She found that those who spent the cash on others felt happier than their counterparts.

1. Why it exists

Biologist Neural link studies that focus on functional magnetic resonance and public pledge on the brain mechanism during the act generous and happiness found that there in the extensive direct relationship between giving and happiness. They explained that when one performs an act of generosity, it activates the regions of the brain associated with pleasure, social connections, and trust, creating a warm glow effect.

There is a release of endorphins in the brain, which produces a positive feeling known as helper high. The study shows that giving and happiness exist. The more one gives increases happiness. That is why most studies support that money can’t buy happiness unless spent on others.

1. Ways in which society needs to improve as we consider ways to find connections between giving and happiness

Studies show that most states are more inclined to the promotion of defense. The large fraction of the Gross Domestic Product is dedicated to building armored machines and planes to protect the country form hostile activities. The level of participation of states in helping the needy in other countries is so low.

Indeed, our governments need to understand that insecurities are brought by the fact that people are suffering and may resort to theft and bribery to find a way to meet their needs. Instead of helping those in need, we send them bombs to cease the act of violence. To realize the extent to which giving promotes happiness, society needs to train children and create awareness on the benefits of the giving.

Giving is contagious. The practice of giving should be an individual responsibility as well studies show that the act of being generous could be contagious. If one performs an act of generosity to one person, there will release oxytocin, which creates warmth. The hormone is fully responsible for the euphoria and connections to other and virtuous circles. The next person will do the same and hence causing a cascade of generosity in the whole society.

Conclusion

In summary, giving and happiness coexist. A behavior of generosity is likely to cause happiness to an individual. Kindness makes us human and keeps life going. Giving promotes and maintains cooperation and social connections between individuals.