There are just a few days left to recommend someone for the Abu Dhabi Awards, as nominations close on Saturday. The vision behind this honour is "to celebrate the spirit of selflessness and giving in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, where humanity and goodness are always cherished". While real generosity is its own reward, it is still nice to publicly recognise those selfless people who are productive and consistent in improving the lives of others and making positive contributions to our society. Gratitude and generosity form a virtuous cycle that improves the well-being of all involved.
Generosity has many beautiful faces, one of which is pro-social spending.
Numerous studies have found that pro-social spending leads to higher levels of happiness than personal spending.
Beyond financial generosity, research repeatedly confirms that the tendency to give to others, be it time, energy or concern, is associated with higher levels of subjective well-being.
Beyond psychological health, a study published in the American Journal of Public Health even reports a link between generosity and a reduced risk of early death. This situation is what we call the generosity paradox. In other words, being generous can also be viewed as a form of self-interest.
As if the winners of the Abu Dhabi Award had not already been rewarded enough – improved health and happiness – we now single them out to show our appreciation for their generous service to our society. Nothing accompanies generosity better than gratitude, and showing appreciation for the service of others also appears to be good for our well-being.
A review article published in Clinical Psychology Review concluded that gratitude was strongly related to well-being and that there was some evidence that this might be a causal relationship. There is now work under way to develop and test interventions designed to foster gratitude as a means of treating and preventing clinical depression.
Sincerity, however, is also a vital component in the generosity-gratitude equation and we have to be careful not to overlook it. If we are only generous because we believe it is going to boost our personal happiness, is that actual generosity? Similarly, if we spend our day gushing with long-winded and elaborate "thank yous" for the sake of getting a positivity boost, is that gratitude? I suggest not.
Some well-intentioned well-being gurus have started encouraging us to be generous and show gratitude for the sake of our own happiness. They vigorously exhort us to thank everyone and give freely of our time and resources. The underlying rationale behind this call to generosity and gratitude is that acts of kindness are a means of reducing our own stress levels and boosting our personal happiness. In this model of calculated generosity-gratitude, happiness and health are no longer incidental by products of our gratitude and good deeds; they become ends in themselves.
In our pursuit of well-being, it is important that the right things are not done for the wrong reasons. Greed for anything, whether it's health, well-being or happiness, is still just greed – no more, no less.
I'm sure that the winners of the Abu Dhabi Awards are not calculating, self-interested, well-being enthusiasts. They are, as the award suggests, individuals who are selflessly committed to giving and improving the lives of others. The key word here is selfless: "concerned more with the needs and wishes of others than with one's own".
Given the UAE's status as a world leader in philanthropy, receiving an Abu Dhabi Award is no mean feat. It is almost akin to being selected for the Brazilian football squad or qualifying to run the 5,000 metres for Kenya in the Olympics – you have to be magnificent.
Dr Justin Thomas is an associate professor at Zayed University
On Twitter: @DrJustinThomas
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
FIGHT INFO
Men’s 60kg Round 1:
Ahmad Shuja Jamal (AFG) beat Krisada Takhiankliang (THA) - points
Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) beat Akram Alyminee (YEM) - retired Round 1
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Bhanu Pratap Pandit (IND) - TKO Round 1
Men’s 71kg Round 1:
Seyed Kaveh Soleyman (IRI) beat Abedel Rahman (JOR) - RSC round 3.
Amine Al Moatassime (UAE) walk over Ritiz Puri (NEP)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The years Ramadan fell in May
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, semi-final result:
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona
Liverpool win 4-3 on aggregate
Champions Legaue final: June 1, Madrid
More on animal trafficking
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 592bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Price: Dh980,000
On sale: now
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More coverage from the Future Forum
Inside%20Out%202
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
The years Ramadan fell in May
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The five pillars of Islam
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
