We’re used to thinking about giving as something we should do. And it is. But in thinking about it this way, we’re missing out on one of the best parts of being human: that we …find joy in helping others. Let’s stop thinking about giving as just (a) moral obligation and start thinking of it as a source of pleasure.
Elizabeth Dunn
Here’s the KEY… our optimal giving experience is when meaningful connections are created between individuals as they deal with challenges that feel overwhelming.
From surveying more than 200,000 adults across the globe…
– nearly a third of the world’s population reported giving at least some money to charity in the past month;
– in every major region of the world, people who gave money to charity were happier than those who did not (even after taking into account personal financial situations);
– the correlation wasn’t trivial… giving to charity made about the same difference for happiness as having twice as much income.
Separate research showed the benefits of giving spike when people felt a real sense of connection with those they were helping and could easily envision the difference they were making in those individuals’ lives.
whererugoing.com editorial commentary…
We do not often offer comments to the postings we share, but felt compelled re: one particular element of the this TedTalk. The findings presented are based upon valid research & observations and reinforce findings from numerous similar studies. We agree with them, celebrate them, have lived them and want to affirm & share them.
However, we believe and would suggest that these realities of human nature have not simply “evolved” as the presenter frames it. Rather, they are core to our created human nature… we are made to find joy in helping others and to overcome challenges together.