Lord Richard Layard is the founder of the ‘Action for Happiness’ movement whose patron is the Dalai Lama. It was surprising for me to see an economist from the London School of Economics talk about Empathy & Compassion being the need of the hour for mankind to survive. However, when he explained it made sense.

Fifty (50) years ago, the economists came together and said that the key to being a happier society is making more money, hence the countries like US & UK as we all know are where they are. However, something went amiss there. It seems that the trust quotient of people in others used to be 60% half a century ago whereas now it is only 30%. Another interesting fact researchers discovered is that happiness is 10% dependent on our income, 50% on our genes and as much as 40% on our activities. That is quite a revelation!

Turns out a better economy did not contribute to a higher happiness quotient. The society has now become more individualistic as compared to how it was back then. Lord Richard Layard says ‘Altruism’ is the key to the survival of the human race. According to him, issues like global warming cannot be solved by mutually binding international agreements, it is only going to happen if individual countries feel they ought to do this thing in the common interest of mankind.

Dictionary meaning of ‘Altruism’ – disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.

Somehow, my interest in promoting community love & support doesn’t come from a selfless place, it actually comes from a selfish place of seeing my child safe in society and to me that is a good thing. If each one of us saw that altruism ultimately benefits our families then the movement would have legs to stand on.

I have joined the Action for Happiness movement and taken their pledge: “I will try to create more happiness and less unhappiness in the world around me.” How many of you are willing to take this pledge today?

I have learnt that it all begins with us, so the first & main determinant of happiness will always be our inner world and then this second one of our relationship with work, family & friends, society at large will follow.

If you wish to join the movement you can go to actionforhappiness.org

Alternatively, you are welcome to join me. I am starting a 15 day free program from February 21, 2022 where you will receive one task every morning in your inbox to get you started on your journey of improved life satisfaction. Just write to me on rashhmiyadav40@gmail.com with the line “I am interested.”

Much Love,

Rashmi Yadav

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