The Happiness Course

I noticed recently that Yale University is offering a 10-week online class called “The Science of Well-Being.” Just this semester alone, 2.5 million people have enrolled, making it the most popular course in the university’s history. On campus, the course is titled “Psychology and the Good Life,” also known as “The Happiness Course.”

The topic fascinated me, and I spent some time perusing the Yale syllabus and related scientific studies. I was amazed at how much of it lines up with ancient biblical wisdom.

Now, no doubt that a significant factor of a person’s happiness is genetic and in part circumstantial. However, it is also clear from a scientific and biblical standpoint, there are habits of body and mind that can be cultivated for increased well-being.

One of the things that comes up time and time again is generosity.

Often, we think about generosity as related to money – which is a significant part of it. It’s very concrete. You can measure it. You can increase little by little. But in addition to money, we can also learn to be generous with our time, our energy, our creativity, our hospitality… and on and on.

I know that many of you have had the experience of finding a way to give to others, to serve others even while going through your own crisis. In the first year after a divorce and being alone without his children at Thanksgiving, I had a friend who volunteered at a homeless shelter. He said it was the best thing he ever could have done. It got him outside his own head. Completely lifted his spirits.

Just in general, generosity is a way of getting in on a larger good. We sense: I’m contributing – I’m a part of this – I’m making a difference. And man, that just feels good!

Let us pray: We recognize, O God, that whenever we use what we have in a way that blesses others; it opens our hearts. You give and you give and you give to us. Teach us to be generous, as you are generous. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.