April 15, 2009
Can You Buy Happiness By Donating to Charity?
A lot of the positive psychology research has centered around this notion of the good life and the happy life going together. Scientists believe that the evolutionary reason for happy feelings is to help us expand our horizons and to attract us to working together for common solutions, rather than in a win-loose environment where only the fittest survive. Some evidence of this comes from a study that identified 24 common "virtues and strengths" that are revered in every culture from the ancient world to the modern one across the globe. For more on the universal virtues and strengths …
More recent research has focused on the practical aspects of how to use these virtues and strengths to live a good and happy life. Although scientists have repeatedly shown that more money does not bring more happiness, they have also shown that spending money on others by donating to charity or buying gifts does increase happiness significantly. For a summary of this research…
You Can Buy Happiness By Donating to Charity
AffirmationI use my money wisely to improve peace and happiness in me and in the world.
Journal or Meditation Question
How have I experienced more happiness by helping others?
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