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Researchers spend a lot of time debating whether any altruistic act is ever truly selfless because we benefit so much when we are kind to others. I think of kindness like laughter: we might be laughing because we want someone else to feel good about their joke, but mostly we laugh because it feels good. Like laughter, kindness is a terrific happiness habit, good for both our physical and emotional well-being.

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In this wonderful article Dr. Christine Carter PhD. , Director of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley talks about devloping habits that foster happiness and that giving to others is one of those habits that will provide benefits that seem almost to good to be true. BUT ITS TRUE!!

The very best way to instill the habit of giving to others in our children is for them to see US giving to others.  Now this does not mean we have to empty our pockets to everyone we see.  In fact helping or giving to others does not have to be about money.  Giving someone a smile when they look like they could use one is a great way to give.  You and your kids will get many smiles in return.

The mountains of research that now exists to prove beyond a doubt that giving to others or helping others feel good will make us feel better, both physically and emotionally, is wonderful but we don’t really need the research to tell us this.

Most of us already know how great we feel inside when we have helped or given to someone in need.   I think it is also important to note that the opposite is also true in that when we take from others or intentionally make others feel bad we are hurting ourselves far deeper than we might think.  It is not possible to be truly happy inside when we know our actions have hurt someone else.

I don’t know if the science is out yet on that yet, but it just makes sense that “we reap what we sow”.

An Exercise in Happiness, and the soon to be available Attracting Happiness, are “happiness habits” tool kits to help instill the habits that promote character growth and happiness.