Give Happy

Gretchen Rubin says philanthropy can spur a cycle of happiness.

If you’re happy and you know it, do something good for someone else. If you’re not happy and you want to get there, do the same.

Gretchen RubinAccording to happiness guru Gretchen Rubin, philanthropic behavior can be the key to increasing one’s own positive feelings.

“Research shows that happy people have a greater interest in the problems of others,” Rubin says. “And the more we give to others, the happier we are. Philanthropy creates a kind of virtuous cycle.”

The author of the best-selling Happiness Project and of the popular blog of the same name, Rubin recently delivered her inspirational message to campus when she gave a keynote address to the UW’s Women’s Philanthropy Council at its 25th anniversary meeting in September.

Rubin has become the face of happiness in America — quite literally, since her smiling mug appeared on the cover of the inaugural issue of Live Happy magazine in February 2014.

For her book and blog, Rubin has researched how people become and stay happy, often trying out suggested strategies. A persistent question: Is the pursuit of happiness inherently narcissistic?

“In a world that’s full of suffering, it can seem selfish to be happy, or even to try to be happy,” she says. “But studies show that the opposite is true. Happier people have more energy for giving and more attention for others. They’re less isolated.”

Rubin’s latest work, due out in the spring, has been around habits and how to change them — how to break bad habits and establish good ones. The material will form the basis for a new book, Better Than Before.

Whether good-habit-forming or happiness-seeking, Badgers may find these topics worth visiting this fall, as the University of Wisconsin’s Annual Campaign will welcome gifts and participation from all alumni, donors and friends.