Generous: Characterized by a noble or forbearing spirit; liberal in giving; marked by abundance or ample proportions

The first sign of a society’s decline and even extinction is a shift to self-centeredness. Individuals who are self-absorbed tend to contribute less to society, make less of an impact on other people’s lives; they become destructive in their behaviors, both with themselves and by influencing others.

The opposite is true with those who are generous. Generous individuals are personally more fulfilled, happier, and more peaceful. In fact, as reported in a study by Case Western Reserve University, generous individuals live a longer, healthier life.

So . . . would people who know you well call you generous?

Think about that as you read on.

Research at the University of California verified that generosity begets generosity—in other words, it spreads and transfers and has a pay it forward effect of up to 3 degrees of separation. Your one act of generosity to an individual could reach out and touch someone 3 levels away.

Not only does your generosity spread, it is persistent over time with the person you first impacted. That means your act of generosity toward someone will reach beyond that person; the individual directly affected by your generosity will act more generously toward others for a significant amount of time.

I recall being at a Tim Hortons (coffee and food franchises in North America) drive-through. When I got to the window, I found that the person in the car in front of me had paid for my coffee. At that moment, the anonymous act of generosity made me feel special. I of course passed it on by paying for the order of the car behind me. The staff at the pay window said I was about the 20th car to follow suit after a lady started a random act of generosity that morning.

Even though it cost me the same money to buy someone behind me a coffee, somehow it was more rewarding and felt better to surprise a person with a gift than simply buying a coffee for myself.

In a study conducted at the University of British Columbia, Elizabeth Dunn was able to link people’s spending on themselves and on others to their personal level of happiness. Dunn’s research indicated that giving as little as $5 to study-participants who used the money to purchase gifts for others brought happiness to the givers; a corresponding group of participants who used the $5 for themselves reported no increase in happiness. That supports the old saying Money can’t buy you happiness!

LIVESCIENCE staff writer Jeanna Bryner, reporting on that same research, indicated that Statistical analyses revealed personal spending had no link to a person’s happiness, while spending on others and charity was significantly related to a boost in happiness.

It appears those shopping trips to accumulate more stuff are fruitless in the quest for happiness. Instead of buying something spontaneously for yourself, it’s better to spend that same amount on a gift for someone else or to give the equivalent amount to a charitable cause.

That explains—certainly in North America—why individuals with lots of stuff are no happier—in many cases less so—than those with much less in other countries. If you are hoarding your stuff, you are missing out on one of the critical keys to your happiness—giving and being generous.

There are biochemical linkages to those feelings through the hormone oxytocin. Apparently, the higher your levels of oxytocin, the more generous you will be. The more generous you are, the higher the levels of oxytocin you will produce.

A biblical verse in Acts 20:35 says, It is more blessed (makes one happier) to give than to receive. That has been proven through research into the mental, emotional, and physical benefits of giving.

Now I am not suggesting we should not desire the finer things in life and achieve our dreams but, at the core, we should not go into our quest for the purpose of keeping it all. Contrary to many—like some of the Wall Street executives of the world—the core purpose of our achievements should be as much or more about being able to serve others than to serve ourselves.

Whatever our socio-economic level, we all have something to give. Generosity is not solely about money. Far from it. Generosity applies to our time, our expertise, our friendship, and the other resources we can share.

I learned early in life that generosity is an important family value. My parents grew up in The Great Depression; they knew what it was to have little in terms of material things, but their community was rich in generosity. As new immigrant families to Canada, they survived through a community filled with the spirit of generosity. Through that spirit, barn-raising events began. For example, all the neighbors came together to help build each other’s barns. Usually, if the concrete had been poured previously, the structure was completed in a single day.

My father has never been much for words or compliments, but he has always been very generous. It does not matter what tools I would like to borrow from his well-equipped tool shed, his answer is always Yes. If we ask him or Grandma to pick up the kids at school, they usually say Yes. If research holds true, we are helping them feel better by allowing them to give of their time.

Let me ask again: Would you and others call you generous?

Review the Action Steps below to enhance your happiness by increasing your generosity.

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