Big Thoughts, Big Impact By Sally Glick

The Connection Between Volunteerism and The Happiness Factor

What We Can Learn from Finland, the World’s “Happiest Country”

Experience tells us that engaging in acts of kindness and generosity are as important for the giver as for the receiver. First of all, those who actively give back are a source of inspiration as they set an example for others. Secondly, it is fun, it creates social connections, and it is fulfilling. This conclusion is not mere supposition though. In fact, over the decades significant research has been conducted on the topic of happiness – looking especially at what really makes people happy.

These studies all indicate that happiness is not based on the hopes and expectations of one day becoming rich and famous or achieving some other fleeting goal. Instead, truly happy people consistently focus on the here and now, basing their contentment on making the best of their current situation without looking ahead to unrealistic situations.

To understand the power of the “happiness factor” and its connection to volunteerism, we turned our attention to Finland, which was ranked as the world’s happiest country for the seventh year in a row as published in the United Nation’s 2024 World Happiness Report.  According to the UN, the reason for the high level of happiness across the country is the fundamental trust that runs deeply through Finnish society.

“Happiness is baked into our DNA,” noted Emma Aer, international business executive and currently the CEO and president of Franklin Foods, when considering the culture in her native homeland. “We count on each other, we depend on each other, and we help each other because we know that we need each other. With the temperature typically dropping below zero during the winter months, neighbors know they can turn to each other to navigate the harsh weather and its potential for disaster.”

As Emma reflected further on the unique level of happiness in Finland, she commented that in a country with a relatively small population, while everyone may not actually know each other, there is a good likelihood that they will run into each other at some point. Just as it is one of our own key tenets, being seen as trustworthy and reliable forms the foundation for the spirit that prevails in Finland as well as in any “Small Town USA.” This is why developing a good reputation is key.

In addition to a strong sense of personal accountability, there is also a strong national support system in place that also leads to feelings of happiness and security. Access for all to free, high-quality healthcare, education, and childcare, as well as other government support services, alleviates a good amount of the stress that has become so much a part of modern life today.

This decrease in anxiety and the expectation that, for most everyone, life is good, contributes to the optimistic attitude that is so integral to the happiness that Finland is known for. But what about the rest of us? What lesson can we learn from our Scandinavian friends? “Don’t be afraid to be kind,” says Emma, recalling a life lesson taught to her by her aunt. “Happiness starts with how we treat each other, how much we can trust each other, and how we are treated in return.”

As an involved volunteer for a nonprofit organization like Think Big for Kids, you can become an integral part of a supportive and caring network. For those of you who contribute, whether it is your time or finances (or both), you will find that when you change a child’s life, you change your own as well! So, let’s learn from Finland’s experiences. Let’s connect with each other, give of ourselves, and form a powerful network of support.