The Health Benefits of Altruism - How Giving Back is Good For You
Ranked #612 in Health, #12,522 overall
Reaching Out and Helping Others
Being altruistic, or reaching out to help others, not only benefits the person being helped, but practicing altruism also has many benefits for the person doing the helping.
Altruism is an unselfish concern for the welfare of others. It is a generous way of expressing gratitude for all that you have been given.
Reaching out a hand to lift someone else up is one of the greatest gifts for the heart. The gifts that one receives from giving back and from reaching out to help others are immense and priceless.
Photo Source: Modified Microsoft Image.
Exercise Your Heart - By Helping Others
Quotes on Altruism
- There is no better exercise
for your heart
Than reaching down
and helping
to lift someone up.
Bernard Meltzer
Photo Source: Marinka van Holten. Finger Heart. Royalty Free Use.
The Healing Effects of Altruism
A Way of Blessing Yourself
Survivors of tragic or life changing experiences reveal that altruism-the unselfish concern for others-is a common survival strategy. Focusing on others can give you a place to stand when the rest of your world may be crumbling.
Altruism is also one way of answering the questions posed by Dr. Leo Buscaglia, "How can I make my world a better place?"
- Don't spend your precious time asking
"Why isn't the world a better place?"
It will only be time wasted.
The question to ask is:
"How can I make it better?"
To that there is an answer.
Leo Buscaglia
Altruism is Good for the Body, Mind and Spirit
Some of the many health benefits of altruism
- Possibly strengthening the immune-system.
- A decrease in both the intensity and the awareness of physical pain.
- Activation of the emotions that are vital to the maintaining good health.
- Reduction of the incidence of attitudes, such as chronic hostility, that negatively arouse and damage the body.
- The multiple benefits to the body's systems provided by stress relief.
- Experiencing a "helper's high," a rush of euphoria, followed by a longer period of calm, after performing a kind act.
- This initial rush from the "Helper's High" is followed by a longer-lasting period of improved emotional well-being.
- Release of the body's natural painkillers, the endorphins as part of the "Helper's High."
More about the "Helper's High"
The Health Benefits of Altruism
- Medical Mystery: What is "Helper's High"?
- A transcript from a broadcast by Indiana University School of Medicine's Sound Medicine on What is "Helper's High"?
- ABC News: The 'Helpers' High'
- From ABC News and article on Doing Good, and Feeling Better: Why Giving Back Could Make You Happier...and Healthier.
- Bah-humbug: Science is proving there is a Helper's High | Science Buzz
- Researchers look at how volunteering or giving helps ease stress in the body, which can then lead to many beneficial health factors.
- The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation
- A number of scientific studies show that Acts of Kindness result in significant health benefits, both physical and mental, for those who perform them.
Did You Bring Joy?
Quotes on Giving Back
- Ancient Egyptians believed that upon death
they would be asked two questions and
their answers would determine whether
they could continue their journey in the afterlife.
The first question was, 'Did you bring joy?'
The second was, 'Did you find joy?'
Leo Buscaglia
Photo Source: Quil. Egyptian painting of Aset/Isis. Royalty Free Use.
Giving Back and Spreading Joy
Make the World a Better Place
One way of bringing joy is to give back to others, to give back a little from your heart. Try performing a random act of kindness, giving some of your time, volunteering to a worthwhile cause and experiencing genuine altruism.See the joy in someone's face, a smile on a child's or an elderly person's face and experience feelings of warmth, contentment and gratitude in your heart as you bring joy to others. You will be making the world a better place by bringing joy. Only then will you begin to understand why people give back
When you give back, you are spreading joy like a perfume, which cannot be poured on someone without getting some on yourself. When you freely give of yourself there is little room left for feeling depressed, sad or lonely.
Photo Source: Silvia Cosimini. A Lovely Smile. Royalty Free Use.
Giving - Good for the Giver and the Receiver
Quotes on Altruism
- Giving is as good for the giver
as it is for the receiver.
Science says it's so.
We'll be happier, healthier, and even
-- odds are --
live a little longer if we're generous.
Steven Post
Why Good Things Happen to Good People
Why Good Thing Happen to Good People in the Amazon Spotlight
Why Good Things Happen to Good People: The Exciting New Research that Proves the Link Between Doing Good and Living a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life
Amazon Price: (as of 12/10/2009)
Post, a professor of bioethics at Case Western Reserve University, examines, "the exciting new research that proves the link between doing good and living a longer, healthier, happier life."
With former Psychology Today features editor Neimark, Post cites studies that show how qualities like gratitude, celebration, forgiveness and compassion are not only good for the recipients of your generosity-but they can lead to a better health and longer life for the person doing the giving.
The Giving Person
Quotes on Altruism
- A giving person
sees a glass of water
and starts looking
for someone
who might be thirsty.
G. Donald Gale
Photo Source: Sanja Gjenero. Mineral Water. Royalty Free Use.
Ways of Giving Back and Volunteering
How Can I Give Back?
- Share your expertise at a local school, Volunteer your knowledge, time, or energy.
- Clean out your closets and bring your extra clothes to the Goodwill, Salvation Army or local church thrift shop. Bless someone else with your excesses.
- Contact your local hospice for ways of helping care for those on their final journey.
- Check with your local hospital(s) for their volunteer programs.
- Pick up your knitting or sewing needles, or crochet hook and create some kindness to warm the heart of a child, a cancer patient, a homeless person or an animal.
- Many senior citizen centers have volunteer programs to provide companionship and community activities to senior citizens.
- Contact a State or National Park to see what volunteer opportunities are available. Become a park (VIP) Volunteer in the Park.
- Become a Reading is Fundamental or Children's literacy Program volunteer and help others learn how to read.
- Animal Shelters often need volunteers to help take care of animals and keep facilities clean.
- Donate cans, non-perishables and your time to organize food your local food bank.
- Contact Volunteer Match for ways you can give back to your community in person or even an online community
- Become a volunteer baby cuddler at your local children's hospital.
The Heart of Altruism in the Amazon Spotlight
The Heart of Altruism
Amazon Price: $28.75 (as of 12/10/2009)
Kristen Renwick Monroe examines many experiences of different altruists who view people not as strangers but as fellow human beings.
She believes that to understand what makes one person act out of concern for others and not the self, we need to ask how that individual's perspective sets the range of options he or she finds available.
Using Your Two Hands
Quotes on Altruism
- As you grow older you will discover
that you have two hands.
One for helping yourself,
the other for helping others.
Abraham Lincoln
Photo Source: Sanja Gjenero. Two Hands. Royalty Free Use.
Squidoo Lenses on Organizations Reaching Out to Others
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The Random Acts Of Kindness Foundation
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The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation inspires people to practice kindness and to “pass it on” to others. We provide free educational and community ideas, guidance, and other resources to kindness participants through our website at www....
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Some of the Many Organizations Where You Can Give Back
Ways of Reaching Out to Help Others
- VolunteerMatch: Where Volunteering Begins
- The mission of VolunteerMatch is to help everyone find a great place to volunteer.
- Virtual Volunteering
- The Virtual Section of VolunteerMatch shows opportunities that let a person volunteer without having to be physically present at a specific location.
- Make A Difference Day
- A National Day of doing good on the 4th Saturday of October.
- The Ripples Project
- Exploring the extraordinary power of tiny actions. Created to inspire and reward small waves of kindness...creating ripples.
- Oprah's Angel Network
- Oprah's Angel Network is dedicated to inspiring people to make a difference in the lives of others.
- The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation
- The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation inspires people to practice kindness and to "pass it on" to others.
- Reading Is Fundamental
- Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is the nation's oldest and largest nonprofit children's literacy organization.
My Lenses for SquidAid - A Squidoo Project to Aid Survivors of Disaster
Make Lenses * Aid Survivors
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Comfortdoc's SquidAid Lenses - A Lensography
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I have always believed in the Healing Benefits of Altruism, how reaching out a hand to lift someone else up is one of the greatest gifts for the heart. I am the original SquidAid Responder, having developed the idea of Squidaid to help survivors of...
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SquidAid Group Progress
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Track the progress and watch the number of lenses grow as Squidoo lensmasters take up the challenge to aid survivors by making lenses. This lens also provides information on Squidaid, the Squidoo Fire Aid and how lensmasters can aid survivors of dis...
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SquidAid Responders
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SquidAid Responders are the Squidoo Lensmasters who responded to the call to aid the survivors of disasters. All Squidoo Lensmasters are encouraged to become SquidAid Responders by make new lenses or modify existing lenses and choose the royalt...
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Squidoo Fire Aid - Using the Internet to Aid California Fire Survivors
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All Squidoo lensmasters are encouraged to create a lens or two or even three as part of the SquidAid and the Squidoo Fire Aid Challenge to benefit California Fire Survivors. We're asking all Squidoo lensmasters to make a lens or two or three with fun...
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SquidAid - Using the Internet to Aid Survivors of Disasters
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In the spirit of LiveAid, BandAid, FarmAid and Tsunami Aid comes SquidAid, a way for the Squidoo Community to use the Internet to aid survivors of disasters. While it may be difficult for the Squidoo Community of Lensmasters to stage a major concert,...
My Lenses about September 11, 2002 Related Projects
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Remember September Mail Art Project
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This Creative, Commemorative Mail Art Project was developed by Gail Ellspermann in 2002 as a way for people to remember those who had died on September 11, 2001. Through the use of art, participants are encouraged to express their feelings and refl...
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My Good Deed - Change the World
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How will you remember 9/11? Pledge your good deed for 9/11 in memory of those lost September 11, 2001 and turn 9/11 into a national day of service and compassion. My Good Deed is a non-profit public benefit corporation that was founded in 2002 to hon...
Finding True Happiness
Quotes on Altruism
- True happiness comes from a sense
of peace and contentment,
which in turn must be achieved
through the cultivation of altruism,
of love and compassion...
Dalai Lama
More of My Lenses for Charity and NonProfits
Spreading the Word by Creating a Lens
These are some of the organizations that I have created lenses for to help spread the word about the Organization.-
Christopher Reeve - Superman, SuperHero & Super Human Being
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Anyone around in 1978 remembers Christopher Reeve emerging on the film screen as the ultimate Superman and as a SuperHero. Yet for me, I think his true SuperHero status happened years later. I would like to introduce my SuperHeroes...Christopher Reev...
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Grobanites for Charity and The Josh Groban Foundation - Making a Difference in the Lives of Children
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Josh Groban is the young baritone who is defining a new genre of music. This lens supports the work of the Josh Groban Foundation and the Grobanites for Charity a group of dedicated fans working to make a difference in the lives of children around th...
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The Alliance for a Healthier Generation
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The mission of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation is to eliminate childhood obesity and to inspire all young people in the United States to develop lifelong, healthy habits. The goals of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation are two-fold 1...
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CarePages - Connect Friends and Family During Times of Challenge
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CarePages unique service allows you to create a personal, private web page to help family and friends communicate when a loved one is facing illness whether at the beginning of life as a newborn, at the end of life, or somewhere in between. Creating...
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Lotsa Helping Hands - A Way to Organize the Offers of Support
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Lotsa Helping Hands is a simple, immediate way for friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to assist loved ones in need by organizing all of the offers of support during a time of crisis. Lotsa Helping Hands provides family and friends with an ans...
Making a Life - By Giving Back
Quotes on Altruism
- We make a living by what we get.
We make a life by what we give.
Winston Churchill
Collection of My Lenses for Children's Charity and NonProfits
Spreading the Word by Creating a Lens
These are some of the organizations that I have created lenses for to help spread the word about their project that focuses on a need of children.-
Prematurity Awareness Month - Sponsored by the March of Dimes
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As part of a national effort to save babies from premature birth the March of Dimes has designated November as Prematurity Awareness Month. The month of November is dedicated to raising awareness about premature births, while also raising funds for t...
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First Book - Book Relief - Every Child Deserves a Bedtime Story
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Can you remember the magic of owning your first book? This is the mission of First Book, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to give children the opportunity to read and own their own first new book. First Book provide an ongoing supply of new b...
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Help a Child Go Back to School with Operation Blessing
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You are invited to get your family, friends, clubs and church groups involved and put together Pencil Case Kits as part of Operation Blessing's Pencil Case Kit project. Building Exitement & Confidence Crossing the dirt floor, a child approached...
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Reach Out and Read - Promoting Early Childhood Literacy
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Reach Out and Read (ROR) is a national non-profit organization that promotes early literacy, because growing up healthy means growing up with books. During visits to the pediatrician, children get new books and parents get advice about the importance...
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Every Baby has a Story - Video Contest for the March of Dimes
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The March of Dimes is asking NICU Parents and Families to share their NICU stories and experiences by creating and submitting a video for the "Every Baby has a Story" Video Contest. Often time those who have been there and lived through a c...
Even More of My Lenses Created for Non-Profits
Spreading the Word by Creating a Lens
These are some of the organizations that I have created lenses for to help spread the word about their project.-
Worldwide Candle Lighting
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Every year, since 1997, on the second Sunday in December The Compassionate Friends (TCF) hold a Worldwide Candle Lighting in memory of all children who have died too soon. On this day people around the world are encouraged to light a candle to so tha...
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Malaria No More - Lets You Give More this Christmas
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This Christmas a generous donor is allowing your gift giving dollars to do more. Until December 31, your gift of a net is doubled. Every dollar of any gift you make to end malaria in Africa will be matched, up to $250,000! So a gift of one net become...
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One Laptop Per Child the Gift that Gives Twice for Christmas in 2008
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In 2007 Americans bought 100,000 laptops for children across the world. This year, One Laptop Per Child hopes to give 1 million laptops to children in the least developed countries around the world for 2008. Once again you can give a laptop and get...
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Nothing But Nets
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Nothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. Malaria*, which was eradicated from the United States over 50 years ago, still claims one child's life worldwide every 30...
My Lenses Created for Organizations for People with HIV
Spreading the Word by Creating a Lens-
Keep a Child Alive
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A single dollar can make a difference in the life of a child with HIV. Keep A Child Alive is an urgent response to the AIDS pandemic ravaging Africa. 25 million people have already dead from AIDS, the disease continues, wiping out whole societies, t...
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AIDS Research Alliance
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Every minute, 10 people become infected with HIV. 5 people die of AIDS each minute of every day. Only medical research can stop these numbers from spiraling.AIDS Research Alliance searches for ways to stop new HIV infections and find a cu...
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Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
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Born out of a mother's love for her children and a desire to protect her children, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation has played an important part in the research, the eradication and the prevention of Pediatric AIDS in the United States...
Squidoo - Supporting Nonprofits
Donate Your Lens Royalties to Charity
- Squidoo's Nonprofit Partners
- Squidoo.com supports more than 65 nonprofit organizations, from the country's most popular causes right down to tiny local ones.
- Buildi Your Own Squidoo Lens
- You can build your own lens for a favorite charity by getting started on the Build Your Own Squidoo Lens link above.
A Collection of My Lenses for Charity and NonProfits
Spreading the Word by Creating a Lens
These are some of the organizations that I have created lenses for to help spread the word about their project.-
The Gratitude Campaign - Thanking Those Who Are Serving & Others
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The Gratitude Campaign is a way for people to say "thank you" quickly and easily to those who serve without even having to approach them. With a simple hand gesture in sign language, you can easily convey your "thanks" to those who...
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Imagine Peace Tower - Celebrating Peace
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October 9th 2007 on would have been John Lennon's 67th birthday, Yoko Ono unveiled the Imagine Peace Tower on Videy Island in Reykjavik, Iceland as a way of encouraging global peace. The Imagine Peace Tower is dedicated to her late husband, John Lenn...
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Free Hugs Campaign - The Many Benefits of Hug Therapy
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The Free Hugs Campaign began as one person's attempt to make a difference and reach out to others to brighten their lives. Juan Mann describes his inspiration as follows: Standing there in the arrivals terminal, watching other passengers meeting the...
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Earth Hour 2008 - Earth Day
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On March 29, 2008 at 8:00 pm millions of people, businesses and governments around the world switched off the lights for one hour during Earth Hour. Did you join them and turn off the lights? Earth Hour 2008 was a global event created to symbolize...
Make Haste to Be Kind
Quotes on Altruism
- Life is short and we have never too much
time for gladdening the hearts
of those who are traveling the dark journey with us.
Oh be swift to live,
make haste to be kind.
Henri Frederick Amiel
Other Squidoo Lenses on Giving Back
Ways of Being Kind, Caring and Making a Difference
Examples of other lensmaster's websites on giving back and kindness and making a difference.-
Making a difference in the world in 5 minutes a day
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Our goal is to show people how to make a positive impact in their community in the time they have, even if it's just 5 minutes a day.
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getdonations
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Bring back the light of the righteous to those on the front lines.
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Together We Can Change The World
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Together We Can Change the World Inc. has been helping Non-Profits and Volunteer organizations for almost 5 years. Watch the World Changer Mall Video.
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The Power of Kindness
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"Be kind to everyone you meet. They all carry a heavy load." -- Elton Graham, my grandfather. I learned a lot about kindness from my grandparents. Grandpa Graham was the sweetest man. Chickadees would land on his arms and shoulders while he was outs...
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Random Acts Of Kindness
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Welcome to RAOK ONLINE lens. I have set this lens up to encourage YOU to practice Random Acts Of kindness. I will up date this page often and I hope to share stories that will make you smile and ponder just how special this life ca...
Books on Altruism and Giving Back
Available on Amazon
Compassion in Action: Setting Out on the Path of Service
Amazon Price: $16.24 (as of 12/09/2009)
The Power of Serving Others: You Can Start Where You Are
Amazon Price: $17.90 (as of 12/09/2009)
Me to We: Finding Meaning in a Material World
Amazon Price: (as of 12/09/2009)
The Origins of Virtue: Human Instincts and the Evolution of Cooperation
Amazon Price: $10.88 (as of 12/09/2009)
Be the Change! Change the World. Change Yourself.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/09/2009)
Squidoo Lenses on Volunteering
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Things I Love About Volunteering
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Why do people volunteer their time? As a volunteer, you don't get paid for donating your time. However, there are benefits in it for you and me when we're unselfish in giving our time to benefit others. The following are five major reasons why I cho...
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Giving Back
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My favorite line from "The Blues Brothers" was "We're on a mission from God!" I've never really thought of it before, but helping out in your community, or the world community, can be a divine calling. But where do you find a cause...
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Discover Success In Life Through Volunteering
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When we focus on improving our lives, our first thoughts tend to center around what we can do for ourselves. Create a vision Set goals Read books Take classes Take action on our goals and vision These steps are important, and I perform these steps in...
Copyright Information
Creative Commons License. Some rights reserved.
Creative Commons License © 1997-2008 Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS, FT. Some rights reserved. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution- Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
The material in this article may be copied and reproduced on websites or in newsletters, ezines provided that the Author's Biography information is included with any article.
Longer excerpts from this online article may not be copied, duplicated or reproduced for use in a for-profit setting without prior written permission by the author. Contact the Author at the Contact Me link above.
Reader Feedback on the Healing Effect of Altruism
Your place for comments, messages, suggestions, ideas and feedback
Be sure to share your comments, rank the site, pass on the word about the site (email) and leave a message (Reader Feedback).
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Reply
- DReynolds67 DReynolds67 Aug 20, 2009 @ 11:57 am
- FANTASTIC Lens! 5-star!
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Reply
- JaguarJulie JaguarJulie Jun 21, 2009 @ 11:27 am
- Yes, Kirsti I must admit that being altruistic and giving back has also been on my mind lately! ;)
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Reply
- MiaBellezza MiaBellezza Apr 22, 2009 @ 9:32 am
- Who, better than a physician, to outline the benefits of giving back to those in need, 5* and lensrolled into Road to Self-improvement.
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Reply
- Quirina Quirina Apr 9, 2009 @ 7:12 am
- Thank you for this lens, I love it!
However, I would like to ask a sceptical question: Isn't there a second side to the coin? I think that efforts to make a difference can turn very frustrating, as usually the impact a single person can make is not strong. And I would assume that feelings of futility are not very health-promoting...?
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Reply
- lisadh lisadh Sep 3, 2008 @ 11:48 am
- I knew doing good deeds made me feel good, but I had no idea it might make me live longer, too! Another reason to keep it up. :-)
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by Comfortdoc
Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS, FT is a respected physician, an expert in life challenges, loss, grief and bereavement, professional health educator, professor...
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