Change by Doing Explore the world of volunteering and service

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel, read only a page.”

ST. AUGUSTINE

Whether the past many days have had you hunting for eggs, asking the questions of Passover, celebrating re-birth, meditating on the budding leaves, still scrubbing off the colors of Holi, or preparing for Ramadan—most of us see this time of year as a fresh, new beginning. Nature is revitalized after winter, and so are we.

It is a great time for reflecting and looking ahead. I love the recent study that was covered by CNN that showed that experiences make us happier than possessions.

“That’s in part because the initial joy of acquiring a new object, such as a new car, fades over time as people become accustomed to seeing it every day, experts said. Experiences, on the other hand, continue to provide happiness through memories long after the event occurred,” the study says.

Another reason for increased happiness in experiences, the researchers found, was that people felt a greater sense of vitality or “being alive” during the experience and in reflection, Ryan Howell, Assistant Psychology Professor at San Francisco State University, said.

“As nice as your new computer is, it’s not going to make you feel alive,” he said.

So think about the spring, beginnings, time off that may be coming your way this year—and how to invest your energies and your money. You will, one day, tell the grandkids about the volunteer vacation you take…probably not so much discussion around the dinner table decades from now about your flatscreen TV.