Happiness and Giving

In his book "Shortcut for a Better Life", the writer Ziad Rayess mentions: Giving is not only a material necessity for the recipient, but a necessity for the giver as well. People are in real need of the internal feeling of self-satisfaction they get when they help their fellow humans. Wonderously, this satisfaction transforms into a feeling of happiness.

From both a spiritual and a material perspective, society is in urgent need of humanitarian action. The impoverished need financial assistance, while the well-off need the spiritual benefit and happiness that comes with giving as it makes them happy, content, and self-assured. Happiness, unlike momentary pleasures, provides continuous returns.

Comparison between pleasure and happiness:

American endocrinologist Dr. Robert Lustig provides a fascinating comparison between the two in one of his lectures:

1. Pleasure is short-term, while happiness is long-term.
2. Pleasure is instinctual, while happiness is spiritual.
3. Pleasure is taking, while happiness is giving.
4. Unlike happiness, pleasure can be gained by owning material things.
5. You experience pleasure alone, while you experience happiness with societal groups.
6. Excessive pleasures, of any type, lead to addiction. This is true of both material and behavioral pleasures. However, there is no such thing as “addiction to excessive happiness”.
7. Pleasure is caused by the hormone Dopamine, while happiness is caused by the hormone Serotonin.

There is only one thing that obstructs Serotonin: Dopamine. Therefore, the more pleasure you seek, the less happiness you get.

The comparison above clearly explains many of the phenomena we experience around us. Many pleasures come from sins and taboos of making money, satisfying temporary instincts, shopping, or acting ostentatiously. But in fact, it all comes in the framework of transient pleasure, as opposed to happiness, which takes deep root in a person and surrounds them in an aura that lasts for days.

One of the factors at play here is the act of giving and having positive social interactions with everyone around you. This can take many forms, including: “providing consolation, expecting the best, accepting others’ excuses, helping those in need, forgiveness, contentment, kind-heartedness, and distancing oneself from hatred and jealousy”. All of these fall under the meaning of Giving.

Factors that can help you achieve permanent happiness:

There are some factors that can help you achieve permanent happiness, including:

1. Not tying happiness to temporary gains or a momentary state of mind.
2. Working on lifestyle programming, including Giving, as part of your ordinary, daily life, and not limiting it to certain ideological, geographical, or national categories.
3. Maintaining active communication with others, as Giving is an interaction with those around you.
4. Not underestimating the value of Giving, whether it’s a smile, a cheerful attitude, or a respectful, warm, and friendly greeting.
5. Making peace with oneself on a regular basis, while correcting your behavior and way of thinking.

Giving is an important factor in gaining happiness with love and respect.

Conclusion:

To sum up, Happiness is a spiritual state of mind that can be achieved by engaging in positive social interactions with those around us. Pleasure, on the other hand, is a fleeting emotion that can be attained through material possessions or satisfying transient instincts. In today's world, where people are more self-centered than ever before, the act of giving has become more critical than ever. By following the factors mentioned above, such as not tying happiness to temporary gains, keeping open lines of communication, and making peace with oneself, we can all contribute to building a happier and more fulfilling society.