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The secret of Happiness

The secret of Happiness 



A. Many people think that being clever, rich and attractive is the best way to find happiness. And you what do you think? Explain.

B. Look at these reasons for happiness and organize them in order of importance to you (beginning with the most important).

1. friends and family

2. money

3. religion

4. not wanting more than you have

5. intelligence

6. being attractive

7. helping others

8. your genes

9. growing old

10. being married

 


The Secret to Happiness Is Helping Others 


There is a Chinese saying that goes:

➤“If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.”

For centuries, the greatest thinkers have suggested the same thing:

➤ Happiness is found in helping others. For it is in giving that we receive – Saint Francis of Assis

➤ The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity – Leo Tolstoy

➤ We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give – Winston Churchill

➤ Making money is a happiness; making other people happy is a superhappiness – Nobel Peace Prize receipient Muhammad Yunus

➤ Giving back is as good for you as it is for those you are helping, because giving gives you purpose. When you have a purpose-driven life, you’re a happier person – Goldie Hawn

And so we learn early: It is better to give than to receive. The venerable aphorism is drummed into our heads from our first slice of a shared birthday cake. But is there a deeper truth behind the truism?

The resounding answer is yes. Scientific research provides compelling data to support the anecdotal evidence that giving is a powerful pathway to personal growth and lasting happiness. Through FMRI technology, we now know that giving activates the same parts of the brain that are stimulated by food and sex. Experiments show evidence that altruism is hardwired in the brain—and it's pleasurable. Helping others may just be the secret to living a life that is not only happier but also healthier, wealthier, more productive, and meaningful.

But it’s important to remember that giving doesn’t always feel great. The opposite could very well be true: 

➤ Giving can make us feel depleted and taken advantage of.


C. Match the headings below to paragraphs:

⏵give your time 
⏵find ways to integrate your interests and skills with the needs of others 
⏵be proactive, not reactive
⏵find your passion
⏵give to organizations with transparent aims and results 
⏵don’t be guilt-tripped into giving 


1. ___________________ 

Our passion should be the foundation for our giving. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving. It’s only natural that we will care about this and not so much about that, and that’s OK. It should not be simply a matter of choosing the right thing, but also a matter of choosing what is right for us. 

2. ___________________
The gift of time is often more valuable to the receiver and more satisfying for the giver than the gift of money. We don’t all have the same amount of money, but we all do have time on our hands, and can give some of this time to help others—whether that means we devote our lifetimes to service, or just give a few hours each day or a few days a year.

3. ___________________
According to Harvard scientist Michael Norton, “Giving to a cause that specifies what they’re going to do with your money leads to more happiness than giving to an umbrella cause where you’re not so sure where your money is going.”

4. ___________________
“Selfless giving, in the absence of self-preservation instincts, easily becomes overwhelming,” says Adam Grant, author of Give & Take. It is important to be “otherish,” which he defines as being willing to give more than you receive, but still keeping your own interests in sight.

5. ___________________
We have all felt the dread that comes from being cajoled into giving, such as when friends ask us to donate to their fundraisers. In these cases, we are more likely to give to avoid humiliation rather than out of generosity and concern. This type of giving doesn’t lead to a warm glow feeling; more likely it will lead to resentment. Instead we should set aside time, think about our options, and find the best charity for our values.

6. ___________________
I don’t want to discourage people from giving to good causes just because that doesn’t always cheer us up. If we gave only to get something back each time we gave, what a dreadful, opportunistic world this would be! Yet if we are feeling guilt-tripped into giving, chances are we will not be very committed over time to the cause. The key is to find the approach that fits us. When we do, then the more we give, the more we stand to gain purpose, meaning and happiness—all of the things that we look for in life but are so hard to find.

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