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Title details for The Giving Way to Happiness by Jenny Santi - Available

The Giving Way to Happiness

Stories and Science Behind the Life-Changing Power of Giving

by Jenny Santi
Karen Saltus
Audiobook (Includes supplementary content)
1 of 1 copy available
Borrow Listen to a sample Listen to a sample
1 of 1 copy available
We often focus on how our gifts can help those in need. But the act of giving actually improves our own lives as well. In The Giving Way to Happiness, Jenny Santi overturns conventional thinking about what it takes to be happy by revealing how giving to others—whether in the form of money, expertise, time, or love—has helped people from all walks of life find purpose and joy. Drawing on the wisdom of great thinkers past and present, as well as cutting-edge scientific research, Santi makes an eloquent and passionate case that oftentimes the answers to the problems that haunt us, and the key to the happiness that eludes us, lie in helping those around us.
This book is filled with inspiring stories told firsthand by Academy Award winner Goldie Hawn, Noble Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, supermodel Christy Turlington Burns, Teach for America founder Wendy Kopp, philanthropist Richard Rockefeller, environmentalist Philippe Cousteau, activist Ric O'Barry, bestselling author Isabel Allende, ALS survivor Augie Nieto, and many others from all over the world. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they have all found unexpected happiness and fulfillment through giving. This book tells us not just how they changed the world but also how their acts changed their very own lives.
In addition, Santi reveals:
- How altruism involves far more than suppressing basic selfish urges. Rather, we are wired to give, as it activates the same pleasure centers of the brain stimulated by food, sex, and drugs
- How helping others—whether by walking a friend through a struggle that you've also experienced or by supporting a cause to honor a loved one's memory—can be a healthy way to deal with adversity and process grief
- The unexpected reasons why those who "gave it all up" to make a difference, and who face the direst situations, are nevertheless some of the happiest, most fulfilled, and least angst-ridden people you'll ever meet.
- Practical, universally applicable lessons on what kind of giving makes people happy and what doesn't. How do you discover giving that is unique to you and makes you feel good?
In this inspiring audiobook, Santi turns conventional wisdom upside down about what it takes to be happy and reveals the surprising reasons that have led so many people to live lives full of meaning, purpose and happiness

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    December 1, 2015

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781469094984
      • File size: 281237 KB
      • Duration: 09:45:54

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      September 21, 2015
      This debut from philanthropy advisor Santi examines the positive effects of philanthropic giving, not on those receiving help, but on those giving it. She looks at the potential benefits to one’s health (such as triggering the release of the hormone oxytocin) and personal and social life (such as the strengthened bonds between family members involved in running a foundation). Taking advantage of the level of access her professional background brings, Santi interviews a number of prominent philanthropists, asking about why they choose to give, and how it improves their own lives. She also solicits their suggestions for how charities can more effectively collect gifts. Addressing the challenges as well as the gratification involved in philanthropy, Santi examines the phenomenon of “donor fatigue.” She persuasively demonstrates that you don’t have to be Bill Gates to set up a family foundation or make thoughtful contributions to others. This thoughtful look at philanthropy honestly examines the self-interest often involved in it and suggests that a self-focused approach to giving may in fact be entirely appropriate.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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