Sunday Inspiration: “Happiness comes from giving…”
Happiness comes from giving, not getting. If we try to bring happiness to others, we cannot stop it from coming to us also. To get joy, we must give it, and to keep joy, we must scatter it.
~John Templeton (November 29, 1912 – July 8, 2008) was an American-born British stock investor, businessman and philanthropist.
The theme for the week at my beloved Chautauqua Institution where I spend my summers is The Pursuit of Happiness. The lectures and programs have been outstanding, but I’ve heard nothing more inspiring than these words by John Templeton on the Charter for Compassion website.
Do you think giving, not getting, is the real secret of life?
If so, how have you found it to be true? Is this as easy to practice as it is to preach?
I believe that whatever we put out into the Universe comes back to us. I think it works better when it is spontaneous rather than intentional. It has to be a part of who we are. It has worked for me throughout my life, especially in love and friendship given. It doesn’t necessarily come back from the person to whom you have given it, but it does come back: in the negative as well as the positive. 🙂
My grandmother spent her life bringing happiness to people. Towards the end of her life her body was failing her in a number of ways and it was difficult for her to give as she had her whole lifetime. She suffered from depression. I believe these are related.
When we moved overseas, it was hard for me because I had lost my support network. I was so much happier after I had built a new network, not only because I had friends I could call on if I needed help, but even more because I could answer a call for help from a friend.