Happiness

The Founder of the renowned civic organization, Grand Street Boys, thelate Judge Jonah Goldstein was fond of saying, "Happiness is the one thing in life that multiplies by division. The more you give to others, the more you have for yourself." Goldstein used this expression repeatedly at meetings in the 1940's. If everyone followed this, wouldn't the world be a better place? Dictionary.com offers two definitions for happiness: "1. the quality or state of being happy 2. good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy." At the same time, Dictionary.com offers three definitions of happy: "1.pleased or delighted 2. pleasing 3. bringing good luck; fortunate." Obviously, Judge Goldstein felt strongly that for one to be truly happy, he must repeatedly bring joy to others as well as himself, thus providing one with a sense of joy, pleasure, delight and contentment.

So many people today seem to follow the "What's in it for me?" philosophy. It seems that too many people today often only "do the right thing" if they believe it will somehow materially benefit them. However, when one realizes that many of the wealthiest individuals in the world are also amongst the most miserable, it takes far more than merely the accumulation of material things, or self- satisfaction, to bring about true happiness. How many truly happy people can you honestly say that you know?

Besides being a well known judge in New York, Jonah Goldstein was famous for founding a civic and philanthropic group known as Grand Street Boys. Almost all the members of Grand Street Boys were professionals- - most of which were attorneys. The legal profession has often been much maligned, yet it is one of the first professions or occupations with an organized methodology of "giving back" to the most needy, via the "pro bono" process. Attorneys are regularly expected to, and do, perform a certain amount of "pro bono," or free legal work, for those unable to afford the cost of legal representation. Judge Goldstein encouraged widespread discussion and fabulous debating during the Grand Street Boys meetings, and in an interactive manner, encouraged members to "give back" to society, in any number of manners.

Why are so many "troubled" individuals so very unhappy? Some people have attributed this unhappiness to a variety of items, including financial reversals, financial pressures, "personal problems," or the often-stated, "He's just not a very happy person." Yet, all evidence points to the fact that those individuals that appear to be "happiest" are often those that "give back" more to society and to mankind. "Giving back" does not have to be financial, but it can be. However, merely donating money generally does not create the level of happiness that non- financial volunteerism does. Think about the people you have met who are the happiest - - - aren't they invariably the ones who volunteer more, are more charitable, and/ or more philanthropic? Should this not be a valuable lesson to all of us, and to society, especially in these difficult economic times, when many worthwhile charities so much need assistance?

Judge Goldstein was certainly a sage. He was an incredibly successful man professionally, yet he got more pleasure, fulfillment and happiness from "giving back" than from anything else. Wouldn't our world, especially in these troubling and trying times, be far better off if more of us emulated him?