Connection, Collaboration, and Community. Happiness in Giving
The assigned reading/viewing background materials for Module 1 included such thoughts, words, ideas, and/or concepts as poverty, non-profit, philanthropy, giving, happiness, charity, champion, altruism, and community.
Select two or more of these societal constructs in which you see some sort of connection. For example, how is philanthropy connected to community… happiness connected to giving… or poverty connected to community?
In a well-organized and well-supported essay, discuss where, how, and why that connection exists in our society today. Be sure to provide specific examples to support your point of view, perhaps your own experience in your community, at work, or through your own pursuits. On the other hand, maybe you do not see a connection between many of these concepts, while there should be. In this case, an essay might address ways in which society needs to improve as we consider ways to find connections between these concepts and societal constructs.
Please note that there is no right or wrong response here, just your ability to make a point and support it using details and examples from the readings/viewings as well as your own experience
Required Reading and Viewing:
Birdsong, M. (n.d.). The story we tell about poverty isn't true. Retrieved April 19, 2017, from https://www(dot)ted(dot)com/talks/mia_birdsong_the_story_we_tell_about_poverty_isn_t_true
Gates, M. (n.d.). What nonprofits can learn from Coca-Cola. Retrieved April 18, 2017, from https://www(dot)ted(dot)com/talks/melinda_french_gates_what_nonprofits_can_learn_from_coca_cola
Fulton, K. (n.d.). You are the future of philanthropy. Retrieved April 18, 2017, from https://www(dot)ted(dot)com/talks/katherine_fulton_you_are_the_future_of_philanthropy
LaVine, L. (2013, June 26). The Power of Giving Back: How Community Involvement Can Boost Your Bottom Line. Retrieved April 18, 2017, from https://www(dot)entrepreneur(dot)com/article/226974
Norton, M. (n.d.). How to buy happiness. Retrieved April 18, 2017, from https://www(dot)ted(dot)com/talks/michael_norton_how_to_buy_happiness
Pallotta, D. (n.d.). The way we think about charity is dead wrong. Retrieved April 18, 2017, from https://www(dot)ted(dot)com/talks/dan_pallotta_the_way_we_think_about_charity_is_dead_wrong
Pierson, R. (n.d.). Every kid needs a champion. Retrieved April 19, 2017, from https://www(dot)ted(dot)com/talks/rita_pierson_every_kid_needs_a_champion#t-9127
Singer, P. (n.d.). The why and how of effective altruism. Retrieved April 18, 2017, from https://www(dot)ted(dot)com/talks/peter_singer_the_why_and_how_of_effective_altruism
What Is Community, and Why Is It Important? (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2017, from http://www(dot)ikedacenter(dot)org/thinkers-themes/themes/community/what-is-community-responses
Happiness in Giving
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Human beings are social creatures. They live in communities and groups, talk to each other, develop new relationships, play with their children and assist friends and family in the best possible ways. One of the most interesting and useful activities to perform these days is charity. The more people give to others, the happier they will be. Here the word “giving” means helping others in an uncertain situation, supporting them consistently and providing them with money whenever they are in need. By buying items which are expensive and valuable and giving them to the poor and needy, one can stay happy and feel satisfied. In China, it is believed that if you want to be happy for an hour, you should take a nap. If you want to be happy for a day, then you should try swimming or fishing, and if you are looking for happiness for a year, then you may have to inherit a fortune. Similarly, if you want to stay happy for a lifetime, then you should learn how to help others (2017). For centuries, philosophers and religious scholars have suggested the same thing: happiness is in giving and helping others.
Giving Cultivates Gratitude
According to Joseph K. Goodman, one of the best and easiest ways to stay happy forever is to give a lot of money and support to others. Doing so, one can express his gratitude for the little things he has in his life. However, giving is not restricted to money, cooperation or support. In fact, giving or receiving gifts bring about feelings of thankfulness and humbleness (Goodman, 2014). In simple words, we can say that a person can express his feelings, convey his emotions and show his gratitude if he gives money to the poor, gifts to friends and time to his family members. If he is good at charity, he will develop a sense of responsibility in himself and will get to know the pain and problems of the needy. Eventually, the individual will realize the value of humanity and may start giving more respect and love to others, receiving the same from them. While spending time with those who are in need, the person will remain happy and can boost his confidence to an extent.
Giving Can Stimulate Chemicals in the Brain
According to Wendy Liu and Jennifer Aaker, giving hugs, chocolates, red roses and other gifts stimulate happy chemicals in the human brain. Oxytocin is a peptide hormone that is produced by the nucleus of the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary gland. It plays a significant role in social bonding and is released into the bloodstream on a regular basis. If a person chooses to give (anything he likes such as money, help, guidance and even gifts), the production of oxytocin is stimulated and the brain gets empowered to an extent. It also induces feelings of satisfaction and warmth and makes the person feel excited about what he has in his life. Maybe, he will start behaving generously and get rid of all the negativities of life (Liu & Aaker, 2008).
Feelings of Abundance