No matter what your circumstance in life, you have the ability to give back, and giving benefits all those involved both physically and emotionally. When giving to others makes you feel good, those feelings translate to your biology and the region of your brain associated with pleasure, social connection, and trust is activated, creating a ‘warm glow’ affect. Scientists also believe that altruistic behaviour releases endorphins, producing the positive feeling known as the ‘helper’s high’. These same biological responses will also decrease the negative effects of bad stress.
In her book “The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want”, Sonja Lyubomirsky tells us that being kind and generous leads us to perceive others more positively and more charitably, fostering a heightened sense of interdependence and cooperation in our social community. The act of giving also promotes a sense of trust and cooperation strengthening your ties to others, as well as creating the likelihood of being rewarded by others.
Researchers have found that giving inspires observers to behave generously later – seeing altruism spread by as many as three degrees. There is also evidence that the act of giving may release the hormone oxytocin inducing feelings of gratefulness, warmth, euphoria and connection to others.
All people want to achieve meaning, fulfillment, and happiness in life. However, thousands of years of human history confirm that these things come not from being self-centered but rather from making a difference and giving happiness to others. So, if you find yourself feeling unhappy, try making someone else happy and see what happens. Or if you are feeling empty and unfulfilled, use your skill of Positive Presence by doing some meaningful and worthwhile work and see how you feel.
”A rich life”, writes philosopher and theologian Cornel West, “consists fundamentally of serving others, trying to leave the world a little better than you found it.” Every one of us can have a rich life if we choose.
Catherine is the President and CEO of CORPORATE HARMONY, providing virtual solutions for leadership development and organizational culture change. Her leadership and coaching experience as a Project Manager in an ever-changing, fast moving technological organization with unrelenting demands drove her to the realization that a positive mindset and strength-building behaviors are essential for today’s complex and chaotic organizational systems. CORPORATE HARMONY’s virtual platform of programs, coaching and performance measurement, is an innovative online technology of tested proprietary content. The world-class content of CORPORATE HARMONY’s Positive Presence Program develops the skill of ‘Positive Presence’ and the necessary ‘Positive Presence Behaviour Competencies’ for maintaining a positive and energized mindset and increased performance in today’s complex work environment, and leading to a culture of collaboration and connection. Catherine’s vision for Corporate Harmony is to bring the skill of “Positive Presence” to the corporate world as it becomes more complex, ambiguous and chaotic. Catherine is uniquely positioned to impact organizations’ productivity and long term success, with her powerful vision of eliminating bad stress from every workplace around the globe, bringing purpose into the people equation to promote healthy, productive and meaningful work cultures and turn the tide on the neglect of mental health on a global scale. Catherine is author of the book: “CORPORATE HARMONY – The Performance Link for Today’s Modern Organization” Catherine can be reached at: Catherine.Osborne@corporateharmony.ca or go to ‘contact us’ on our website www.corporateharmony.ca. Catherine is available for consultation, and can be reached by 519-695-3407.