Dubai,
Louise Lambert, a Dubai-based psychologist, explains the concept of altruism, or selfless concern for the well-being of others.
She said: “Altruism pays off in a lot of ways. When you do something good for yourself, there’s no surprise. It’s like buying your own birthday present. It feels nice but the feeling ends once the activity ends. Yet, just thinking of doing something for someone else gets you anticipating and excited; you start to imagine possibilities. It starts to feel like fun, even before you start. You experience positive emotions without even doing anything. When you actually do a good deed, it’s a surprise because you don’t know how others will respond or how it will turn out.
“We feel good about ourselves when we do something for others; doing good also means we are good. Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, felt this was the best and only way to be good; by doing good. Thinking alone doesn’t count, it’s what you actually do. And not only for your family and friends, that’s easy. But what you do for strangers is what counts the most and is a true test of character.”
According to Lambert, our good deeds strengthen our relationships with people around us.
She said: “Their pleasure in receiving provides positive emotions for both you and them. Even if it’s a stranger, the pleasure of watching someone smile in surprise is great.”
We’ve all heard the saying, what goes around comes around. Lambert endorses it.
She said: “Good deeds often come back to us, when we least expect it and offer a source of future happiness. They create a sense of community, a feeling of togetherness and an obligation of mutual responsibility for and towards others. When societies do this, there is less violence and crime, more tolerance and generosity and individuals and their families can grow and be safe. Plus, it’s nice to walk down the street and have people say hello rather than honk at you and wave in anger.”
