Do Rotarians Give More and Live Longer?
I can't recall where , but I recently read the astonishing research that found that people who are givers, and live to serve others have been found to be happier and tend to live longer than the rest of the population. It seems, according to the article, that certain people are born to serve, to help others, and to give of themselves and their time to others. The scientists were not willing to say that it was genetic, but it does seem to be an internal motivation in the people they called the "givers."
If this is true, then Rotary is the club full of givers. The motto, Service Above Self, exemplifies their attitude toward life. They are happiest when they are giving and serving others. Maybe we knew the secret of longevity long before the research was completed.
To my fellow Rotarians, Happy 2012 and many, many more!