When You're Helping You're Happy

Someone once was told me that when you are feeling down, or sorry for yourself the quickest way to feel better, is to reach out and serve someone around you. A large part of the happiness that I have had in my life, I owe to the times that I was able to serve, or reach out to someone around me.

Arthur C Brooks the President of American Enterprise Institute recently gave a Brigham Young University Devotional. In his message, Arthur explained that those who truly are happy in this life, are happy because they give. One of his books titled Gross National Happiness statistically shows that those who giving are happier than people who don't. With the statistics clearly showing that those who serve live happier lives, which also means healthier lives. Why then are people so cautious to serve? Brooks gives some inside into this question by explaining four common myths that usually limit people from giving.

Myth # 1 Giving makes us poorer: Brooks dispelled this myth by showing the money earned by two families of the same background demographic ect. Both families gave to charity but family A gave a $100 more than family B. After tracking them for a while family A earned more money by giving then family B by about $300.

Myth# 2: People are naturally selfish: brooks stated that when looking at statistics the average American gives away more then any other culture and not just because we are richer. However, we can always work to be better.

Myth # 3: Giving is a luxury: Goes along with the answer to myth # 1. People need to remember that we can give with more than just money. People can give by sharing their talents, a good deed, warm greeting, and even just a smile to a stranger on the street. Remember whether you are giving $5 to a homeless person or 1 million dollars to a charity, every little bit helps and makes a difference.

Myth #4: It doesn't matter if I give the Government will do it for me. Brooks stated that this was a dangerous way of thinking. If we let the government step in and take over giving, we will see a much different country. We benefit from giving of ourselves on so many levels that it would be harmful to us as individuals and as a society to stop giving and let the government take over.

In the end giving must start with each of us. No matter who we give to good will come of it. President George Washington stated: “It is not everyone who asketh that deserveth charity; all however, are worth of the inquiry or the deserving may suffer.” May we also be like George Washington and learn to give more and judge those around us less.
Brooks stated that "people who are healthier, wealthier, and happier are givers." I agree with his philosophy and invite everyone to reach out to those around you. You will be surprised by the difference you can make. My favorite scripture is Jude 1:22 "And, of Some have compassion making a DIFFERENCE." We can all make a difference! Start GIVING today!