The currency of happiness | 3.8 minute read

Money’s origins are based on trading rocks.

We used to be tied to the gold standard, but eventually, we just wanted to print more money, and we put that gold back in the ground (just this time behind lock and key).

Today, we trade digital 1’s and 0’s we call cryptocurrency.

Money’s value is what we attribute to it. An iPhone is $1,500 new — for a billionaire like Taylor Swift buying an iPhone is akin to buying a chocolate bar with her wealth.

A friend of mine works to support undervalued high school kids whose teachers may have given up on them, possibly their parents, and some live in shelters.

Working with government and corporate donors to pay for transit, clothing, and daily food, he’s found success landing jobs in the trades for them.

These kids, who initially had no money, often end up earning twice what a college grad may make in their first year. Their journey from being never-destined-for-university to successful earners is a testament to the transformative power of opportunity.

Money isn’t given to them. They’re gifted those clothes, pre-loaded transit passes, and $10 Tim Horton’s gift cards. My friend can’t control what food they eat, but at least they have food in their bellies.

He worked a deal with the sponsors to add $50 to the Tim Horton’s gift card on that semester's last day of work — not to upgrade to a sandwich and soup combo, but to buy a box of donuts and coffees for the crew.

The kids feel like millionaires walking onto the job site, exclaiming they brought coffee and donuts for everyone. The workers, and more importantly, the site supers, are filled with joy seeing a kid who’s scrimped and saved to give a thank-you gift to his mentors. Their joy is a testament to the impact of small acts of kindness.

Thanks to reciprocity, that dozen donuts returned ten-fold for the student cough tradesperson.

It wasn’t about the money; it was the gift. The currency was coffee and donuts. This story underscores the value of a thoughtful gesture, making us appreciate the power of generosity in creating social bonds.

The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions — the little, soon-forgotten charities of a kiss or a smile, a kind look or a heartfelt compliment. - Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The pebble

A young gentleman’s small act of kindness.

The challenge

This week, explore other types of currency.

Give praise: Give someone a compliment.

Give an anonymous gift: Pay for someone’s meal in the drive thru.

Give what you can: Leave an above average tip at the coffee shop. Donate clothing to a charitable organization.

Give your time: Sign up to work at a Soup Kitchen for the day.

Thanks for reading. We’re honoured you’ve chosen to spend a bit of your day with us. Why not reply to this email and tell us what you did and the currency you used?

Cheers,

Justin, Tyler, Jon