Monday 26 January 2015

[www.keralites.net] Happiness Comes from Giving, Not Buying and Having

 


 

 


 

So many of us strive so hard for material success that you might think there was a clear relationship between wealth and happiness. The media and our governments encourage us to believe this, since they need us to keep earning and spending to boost economic growth. From school onwards, we're taught that long term well-being stems from achievement and economic prosperity - from 'getting on' or 'making it', accumulating more and more wealth, achievement and success.

Consequently, it comes as a shock for many people to learn that there is no straightforward relationship between wealth and well-being. Once our basic material needs are satisfied (i.e. once we're assured of regular food and adequate shelter and a basic degree of financial security), wealth only has a negligible effect on well-being. For example, studies have shown that, in general, lottery winners do not become significantly happier than they were before, and that even extremely rich people - such as billionaires - are not significantly happier than others. Studies have shown that American and British people are less contented now than they were 50 years ago, although their material wealth is much higher. On an international level, there does appear to some correlation between wealth and well-being, partly because there are many countries in the world where people's basic material needs are not satisfied. But this correlation is not a straightforward one, since wealthier countries tend to be more politically stable, more peaceful and democratic, with less oppression and more freedom - all of which are themselves important factors in well-being. 

So why do put so much effort into acquiring wealth and material goods? You could compare it to a man who keeps knocking at a door, even though he's been told that the person he's looking for isn't at home. 'But he must be in there!" he shouts, and barges in to explore the house. He storms out again, but returns to the house a couple of minutes later, to knock again. Seeking well-being through material success is just as irrational as this.

Well-Being through Giving 

If anything, it appears that there is a relationship between non-materialism and well-being. While possessing wealth and material goods doesn't lead to happiness, giving them away actually does. Generosity is strongly associated with well-being. For example, studies of people who practise volunteering have shown that they have better psychological and mental health and increased longevity. The benefits of volunteering have been found to be greater than taking up exercise, or attending religious services - in fact, even greater than giving up smoking. Another study found that, when people were given a sum of money, they gained more well-being if they spent it on other people, or gave it away, rather than spending it on themselves. This sense of well-being is more than just feeling good about ourselves - it comes from a powerful sense of connection to others, an empathic and compassionate transcendence of separateness, and of our own self-centredness. 

In fact, paradoxically, another study has shown that this is one way in which money actually can bring happiness: if you give away the money you earn. This research - by Dunn, Gilbert and Wilson - also showed that money is more likely to bring happiness is you spend it on experiences, rather than material goods. (1) Another study (by Joseph Chancellor and Sonja Lyubomirsky) has suggested that consciously living a lifestyle of 'strategic underconsumption' (or thrift) can also lead to well-being. (2)

So if you really want enhance your well-being - and as long as your basic material needs are satisfied - don't try to accumulate money in your bank account, and don't treat yourself to material goods you don't really need. Be more generous and altruistic - increase the amount of money you give to people in need, give more of your time to volunteering, or spend more time helping other people, or behaving more kindly to everyone around you. Ignore the 'happiness means consumption' messages we're bombarded with by the media. A lifestyle of generosity and under-consumption may not suit the needs of economists and politicians - but it will certainly make us happier. 


We would do well to heed the words of the American Indian, Ohiyesa, speaking of his Sioux people:

'It was our belief that the love of possessions is a weakness to be overcome. Its appeal is to the material part, and if allowed its way, it will in time disturb one's spiritual balance. Therefore, children must early learn the beauty of generosity. They are taught to give what they prize most, that they may taste the happiness of giving.'

Steve Taylor, Ph.D. is a senior lecturer in psychology at Leeds Beckett University, UK. He is the author of Back to Sanity 

Post published by Steve Taylor Ph.D. on Jan 09, 2015 in Out of the Darkness
 


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[www.keralites.net] Keralites Fun Posts...

 

Beautiful Japanese Students Dance Performance



Amazing Dance Performance of Japanese Highschool students for the School Annual meet Championship attracts the spectators by Performing like Professional Cheer girls. Japanese girls look so matured and look aged but in reality they are in their teens age. The students in Miniskirt school uniform perform beautifully with awesome steps that challenge real professional amateur Idol Band.




The Art of Stone Stacking Balancing


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[www.keralites.net] Keralites Fun Posts...

 



Drone Videography of 1500' TV Tower Climbing


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Courageous Man catches a Huge King Cobra from between the house utensils with just bare hands. The man in the rescue team named 'Gokid' is an experienced snake specialist and had rescued numerous types of Snakes from his locality in Bangkok, Thailand. The Snake was rescued and released in to the nearby bushes soon after.


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[www.keralites.net] Fun Facts

 


 


 

1.) In Japan, Ronald McDonald is called Donald McDonald due to a lack of a clear "r" sound in Japanese.

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2.) In Texas, it is legal to kill Big Foot if you ever find it.

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3.) The word pencil comes from a Latin word meaning "small penis."

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4.) The founder of Match.com lost his girlfriend to a man she met on Match.com.

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5.) In Spanish, the word "esposas" means both "wives" and "handcuffs."

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6.) Farts have been clocked at a speed of 10 feet per second (7 mph).

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7.) The only member of the band "ZZ Top" without a beard is named Frank Beard.

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8.) In Greek mythology, it was believed that redheads turn into vampires when they die.

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9.) West Side Story was originally called East Side Story.

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10.) Reincarnation is forbidden in China without government permission.

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11.) Shakira was rejected from the school choir because the teacher thought she sounded like a goat.

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12.) Saddam Hussein used Whitney Houston's song, "I Will Always Love You"for his 2002 campaign.

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13.) In Dorset, Minnesota, a 3-year-old boy was elected mayor.

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14.) In Oklahoma, it's illegal to take a bite out of another person's hamburger.

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15.) The word "mortgage" comes from a French word that means "death contract."

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16.) Paris Syndrome is a disorder, mainly suffered by Japanese people, caused after realizing Paris isn't what they expected.

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17.) The scientific name for the Western lowland gorilla is Gorilla gorilla gorilla.

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18.) In 2011, a woman bought a "non-visible" piece of art for $10,000.

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19.) You can change your language on Facebook to "Pirate." 

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20.) Benjamin Franklin wrote, "Fart Proudly," a scientific essay about farts.

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21.) Most people can't distinguish expensive wines from inexpensive ones, a study proved.

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22.) 7% of religious Americans pray to God about finding a good parking spot. Or is it just positive thinking?

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23.) 55% of Americans think they are smarter than the average American. Lol

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