Support a cause.
“Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach.”
– Clarissa Pinkola Estés
THE LOWDOWN
There are so many things going wrong in the world that it’s easy to feel disempowered and out of control, so we tend to freeze, ignore it or simply turn away. It’s true that we can’t fix everything, but a small action aimed at bringing about positive change can have a great impact on someone else and on ourselves, making us feel part of something bigger and worth pursuing.
This week pick a good cause you feel is important and do something to support it. Intention matters (it won’t work if you’re only thinking about your own happiness) so whatever you do, keep in mind your true intention and let that be the main driver of your actions.
WHY IS IT GOOD?
Besides it being common sense (if we help each other we all end up happier and friends instead of fighting and throwing tantrums) there’s an overwhelming body of scientific work supporting the personal and social benefits of taking compassionate action:
Researchers from Harvard and British Columbia Universities conclude that prosocial spending makes us happier and also promotes repeating the action in the future.
Volunteering literally lengthens lifespan.
It makes us more resilient to stress.
Done at organisational level, it boosts employee health at work.
Gives you a sense of belonging to something bigger than yourself.
Connection (and we mean real connection and not having thousands of friends on facebook) is at the core of human happiness.
SOME IDEAS
The possibilities to help are endless, from refugees to autism campaigns, protecting the lives of tribal people or nature related disasters.
Use your skills like this barber does.
Protect an acre of land.
Get some garden action to help the bees, these guys are dying.
Volunteer.
Run for a cause.
Organise a fundraising event, everybody will eat cake.
Sign a petition.
Start a petition.
EXTRA BROWNIE POINTS
Spread the word and get other people to also support a cause.
A LITTLE EXTRA
If you’ve made it this far on the booster, we thank you and we thought you might enjoy these inspirational words by Clarissa Pinkola Estés:
Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach. Any small, calm thing that one soul can do to help another soul, to assist some portion of this poor suffering world, will help immensely. It is not given to us to know which acts or by whom, will cause the critical mass to tip toward an enduring good.
What is needed for dramatic change is an accumulation of acts, adding, adding to, adding more, continuing. We know that it does not take everyone on Earth to bring justice and peace, but only a small, determined group who will not give up during the first, second, or hundredth gale.
One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul. Soul on deck shines like gold in dark times. The light of the soul throws sparks, can send up flares, builds signal fires, causes proper matters to catch fire. To display the lantern of soul in shadowy times like these - to be fierce and to show mercy toward others; both are acts of immense bravery and greatest necessity.
Have a wonderful week of being awesome!
Please help us spread happiness by sharing the boosters!
Web: https://kensho.life/weekly-happiness-booster
See you next week!
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