Giving is better than receiving
 

 

A recent Canadian research published in a science journal found that spending money on others makes one happier than spending money on oneself.

Over the last few decades in western societies, in spite of a dramatic surge in real income, people have experienced few gains in happiness. Research finds happiness does not depend on how much one earns, but how one spends it.

 

Even though there is a general perception that spending money on oneself makes one happy, studies show that beyond satisfying basic needs, money spent indulging oneself brings little extra joy.

 

However, money spent on others has more impact on one’s happiness. This spending can be gifts for others, as well as donation for worthy causes. Researchers are unsure about the psychological mechanisms of generosity and how it has a greater ability to generate happiness. They think perhaps giving makes one feels good.

Although this research may seem contrary to popular materialistic belief of having as a source of happiness, wisdom traditions have been telling us happiness does not come from having nor from thinking only of oneself.

 

Rather, happiness comes from our Being, from reaching the best in ourselves, with the deep humanistic timeless values. Generosity is a humanistic quality that belongs to nature, and so is altruism. When our heart resonates with these qualities, we tap into the spring of happiness.

Hopefully, this makes us reflect on our relationship with money, but most of all, our relationship with others and with life.

 

To give money is one form of giving. To give the best of ourselves is the best form of giving, and to do that, we need first to find the best of ourselves – we need to conquer in ourselves compassion, understanding, kindness, beauty… and philosophy in the classical manner is about this inner conquest.
 

 

March 28, 2008

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