Connection, Collaboration, and Community. Happiness in Giving

Happiness in Giving
Author Name
Institution Affiliation
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