WWTBAM Bored

According to researchers, money indeed can buy happiness, but only if you spend it on someone else.

http://tinyurl.com/3xks4o

You are my friends. I want you to be happy. I can help. Because I am concerned about your well-being, I will accept any of those messy green papery bills in your wallet or those heavy silver coins that are weighing down your pockets. If you prefer, you merely may send me lavish gifts.

I am a giver; therefore, I take.

Done.

Should be something fun in your mail in about five days.

I do get the sense, Uday, that you are making fun of the article, laughing at the premise and not seeing any validity in it. If I am reading your post wrong, I apologize.

I am the first person to like buying pretty things (okay, not shoes) for myself. I am the first person to bring home those pretty things and say "This makes me so happy."

I am also really clear about the joy that I have felt when I give to others who do not expect or think they deserve it. It is not at all comparable to my happiness from the things I bought for myself.

In other words, I think the article is very accurate.

pea:

I do get the sense, Uday, that you are making fun of the article, laughing at the premise and not seeing any validity in it. If I am reading your post wrong, I apologize.

Jeez Louise, Pea, it was a joke.

Speaking of messy green papery bills, I went to the grocery yesterday and bought some ice to take to the drama lunch. I used my debit card at the self-pay line and asked for $40 back. The machine gave me the change in $5 bills. The bills were brand new and were quite lovely. On the back, the 5 is printed in bright purple.

ne1410s wrote:pea:

I do get the sense, Uday, that you are making fun of the article, laughing at the premise and not seeing any validity in it. If I am reading your post wrong, I apologize.

Jeez Louise, Pea, it was a joke.

Good thing I apologized in advance, huh?

It is one of my holy grails.

peacock2121 wrote:

ne1410s wrote:pea:

I do get the sense, Uday, that you are making fun of the article, laughing at the premise and not seeing any validity in it. If I am reading your post wrong, I apologize.

Jeez Louise, Pea, it was a joke.

Good thing I apologized in advance, huh?

It is one of my holy grails.

Yep, Pea, everything after the link was a joke. For me, the research "proved" what I already believe. One of my pet peeves is the pressure often applied by corporations, businesses and institutions to force their employees to contribute to executive-approved fund-raising drives, such as the United Way, so that somebody in the administrative echelons can attend a luncheon and get a plaque praising a high percentage of participation. The employees resent it, and it prevents or delays their discovery that giving can make the giver feel good when it's for a charity or cause with a purpose for which the donor can see a real need.

Part of the joke, of course, was on me -- when Skoop said she would send me something. My immediate reaction was guilt! Obviously, I will have to assuage this by going out to do something extra-nice today for somebody who needs help, whether by giving my money, time or "stuff." That darn Skoop! She's getting this whole wheel of doing good for others rolling all over again. Sheesh. What a trouble-maker.

(That's a joke, too, Skoop. You are amazing and wonderful.)

Guilt giving is the worst kind of giving.

There is an art to graciously receiving.

My friend Ann Marie told me that I am her only friend who will accept presents (as they are) from her 5 year old son. She says all the other women very sweetly tell him they don't want whatever it is he is giving (no, sweetie, keep that for yourself - or - give that to your mommy, not to me).

I wonder if that is where kids learn that accepting gifts is not good.

Sorry I went on rails from your post. In retrospect, it was stoopid to do that.

On "Tonight" last night, Judd Apatow's wife, Leslie Mann, said he always give her presents that are things that he wants, e.g. a box set of Tom Petty CDs.