Polls that show if you were given money to spend on yourself or another person, you would derive more happiness from spending it on someone other than you.

Even in cases where gifts have been given in the name of a donor who was then recognized for the giving publicly such as having a building named for them, the act of giving away the gift for others have scores higher than spending it on ourselves.

In no case, no study, and no research does spending money on ourselves bring happiness.

In giving you receive.

I share this because last week I came across a letter from a dear friend of mine, Jim Weinraub, who served as a mentor to me in teaching.  Just prior to Jim writing the letter I was awarded a gift by our peers as recognition for the things this man taught me. 

I then rose to my feet to accept the award and surprised everyone by presenting it to him.

I have never missed keeping the award.

In his letter, he said he would cherish the award until the day he died.

Several years ago he died.

And now I have another thoughtful gift from someone who understood that only giving makes us truly happy – his gratitude forever.

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