service

If You Want to Be Happy, Try to Make Someone Else Happy

A new study shows that doing kind things for others is an important path to happiness.

When Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, he assured Americans of their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This idea seems to lead many Americans to chase after new gadgets and hedonistic pleasures. But what if that approach is wrong? What if happiness comes from aiming to make others happy, instead of doing nice things for yourself?

About The Author

Greater Good Science Center

This article originally appeared on Greater Good, the online magazine of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley.

The Greater Good Science Center studies the psychology, sociology, and neuroscience of well-being, and teaches skills that foster a thriving, resilient, and compassionate society.

Based at the University of California, Berkeley, the GGSC is unique in its commitment to both science and practice: Not only do we sponsor groundbreaking scientific research into social and emotional well-being, we help people apply this research to their personal and professional lives. Since 2001, we have been at the fore of a new scientific movement to explore the roots of happy and compassionate individuals, strong social bonds, and altruistic behavior—the science of a meaningful life. And we have been without peer in our award-winning efforts to translate and disseminate this science to the public.

How Will You Spend Your MLK Day of Service?

Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr has offered more quotable quotes to the zeitgeist than a boatload of news channel pundits, politicians, or presidents–perhaps because his public time in the spotlight was focused on realizing a greater future for all–a sentiment in shorter supply, today,than is healthy for us, I think. One of my favorites of his messages is…

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?'”

About The Author

Andrew Mersmann

Andrew is the author of Frommer's global guide to volunteer vacations, "500 Places Where You Can Make a Difference" (Gold Medal Winner from Society of American Travel Writers: Best Guide Book 2010). He spent more than a decade on the editorial team of PASSPORT Magazine. He has volunteered and led teams on service projects around the world, and is honored to be on the boards of directors for the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation (AARBF.org) and Mentor Artists Playwrights Project (mentorartists.org). Mersmann has been a featured speaker, interview guest, or moderator on several travel talks, from the New York Times Travel Show, Smithsonian Associates, and the 92nd Street Y-TriBeCa to Oprah and Friends, Animal House, and The Focus Group on satellite radio as well as on NY1 television. Past participant at the Clinton Global Initiative and judge for Condé Nast World Changers Conference, he blogs about volunteering and service travel at www.ChangeByDoing.com. As part of the evox television team, he is dedicated to audience engagement, so if you're not engaged, he needs to be thumped on the head (gently)...or at least told (nicely). Twitter: /ChangeByDoing

When I Was a T-Shirt in Malawi

In late 2017, I volunteered at a wildlife centre in Malawi.

The small southern African nation hosted me as I volunteered with yellow baboons, scops owls, and servals. However, the thing that will always stick with me, the thing that always sticks with me when I travel, is the people.

I was lucky enough to meet some incredible people in Malawi, it was really a United Nations of volunteers hosted by friendly and enthusiastic Malawians.

That’s the amazing thing about volunteering with animals, you meet some equally amazing people.

About The Author

Nora Livingstone

Nora Livingstone is the Co-Founder and CEO of Animal Experience International, a B Corp that matches animal lovers with beneficial and adventurous volunteer experiences around the world. She has volunteered with animals in more than 25 countries, including Croatia, Mongolia, Sierra Leone, and Guatemala. Nora holds a double major from Trent University in Environmental Studies and Cultural Anthropology and holds internationally recognized certifications for guiding, leadership, crisis intervention, and deployment during natural disasters. She carries a tiny plastic horse and stuffed mouse with her every time she travels.
http://www.animalexperienceinternational.com/
https://twitter.com/animal_intl
http://instagram.com/animalinternational/
https://www.facebook.com/animalexperienceinternational

Introducing evox Community

There is no such thing as a stranger—we just haven’t met yet.
-Banafsheh Akhlaghi, founding member of evox Television

As you know by now, here at evox, we are all about creating happier, healthier, and well informed individuals. We have broken it down into 7 categories of wellness, and Community (that’s me!) is one of them.

About The Author

Kelsey Lettko

Kelsey Lettko finds happiness in dancing, traveling, music, and good conversation. She is a San Francisco Bay Area native, who loves to explore both her own community and the world. She has traveled to Swaziland to aid in malaria net distributions, Argentina to study and teach dance, and Cambodia to teach English and volunteer on an elephant reserve. As a recent graduate from the University of Redlands, she has a BA in Sociology and Anthropology and is very excited to embark on her post-grad journey and see where life takes her.

If You Want to Be Happy, Try to Make Someone Else Happy

06/30/2021

Greater Good Science Center

A new study shows that doing kind things for others is an important path to happiness. When Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, he assured Americans of their right to life,... read more

Many people gathered in a circle making peace sign symbol with fingers surrounding a light like the sun

How Will You Spend Your MLK Day of Service?

01/15/2020

Andrew Mersmann

When I Was a T-Shirt in Malawi

12/13/2019

Nora Livingstone

In late 2017, I volunteered at a wildlife centre in Malawi. The small southern African nation hosted me as I volunteered with yellow baboons, scops owls, and servals. However, the thing that... read more

Introducing evox Community

05/12/2013

Kelsey Lettko

There is no such thing as a stranger—we just haven’t met yet. -Banafsheh Akhlaghi, founding member of evox Television As you know by now, here at evox, we are all about creating happier,... read more

If You Want to Be Happy, Try to Make Someone Else Happy

06/30/2021

Greater Good Science Center

How Will You Spend Your MLK Day of Service?

01/15/2020

Andrew Mersmann

When I Was a T-Shirt in Malawi

12/13/2019

Nora Livingstone

Introducing evox Community

05/12/2013

Kelsey Lettko