Giving Creates Happiness

Posted on by

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

While visiting the VA Hospital recently, Kira and Bill Van Ittersum experienced first-hand how “Giving Creates Happiness.” Listening to the loving generosity of the Doctors of Song helped take their mind off Bill’s eye appointment and the stressful wait. While reflecting on this gift of love through the sharing of personal talents and experience, Bill and Kira came to the understanding that personal happiness often comes through “doing.”003-Giving Creates Happiness_720x400

Mahatma Gandhi once said that “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” A gift of one’s own time, talent, or regard, is a gift from the heart. Giving is a gift that gives back. It creates lasting happiness for both you and the recipient.

You don’t need to be rich to give either. Giving is as simple as saying a kind word, or giving a smile or courteous gesture. Giving include giving time, care, skills, or attention. Often, these kind acts mean as much—if not more—than financial gifts. But start by giving away your “Smile.” It costs you nothing to do so and it means so much to others—it really does!

Links:

  1. Doctors of Song Quartet “Touching Hearts One Song at a Time”
    Ray Bradley, Tom Crane, Ralph LeRoy, and Mike Firestone
    Phone Contact: 810-227-5322
    The mission of the Doctors of Song Quartet is to provide an uplifting community experience by ministering to patients, their families, and friends in area hospitals, clinics, and medical centers. Through the universal language of music, the quartet uses their voices to lesson anxiety and stress while offering comfort and cheer.
  2. How Giving Makes Us Happy
    http://www. psychcentral.com/blog/ archives/2013/12/22/how-giving-makes-us-happy/
  3. UnitedHealthcare Fact Sheet: Volunteering and Your Health—How Giving Back Benefits Everyone https://cuvolunteer.org/downloads/VolunteerMatch%20survey%20findings.pdf
  4. Words of Wisdom: Buddhist Inspiration for Daily Living
    Home>Quotes>Happiness http://www.ikedaquotes.org/happiness/happiness893.html
  5. Want to Be Happy? Stop Being So Cheap!
    http://www.newrepublic.com/article/119477/science-generosity-why-giving-makes-you-happy
  6. 25 Gifts of Happiness
    http://www.livehappy.com/practice/giving/25-gifts-happiness
  7. Action for Happiness: 10-Keys to Happier Living
    http://www.actionforhappiness.org/10-keys-to-happier-living/do-things-for-others/details