I heard somewhere on the news channel today about a new scientific evidence showing that people can buy happiness with money. The related article can be read here.
要するに、お金は自分だけに使うよりも、他人のために使ったほうが幸福感が高まるということらしい。これには全く納得だよぉ～。例の、数年前付き合ってたケチケチ弁護士デービッドなんて、1セントも他人のために使わなかったからね。自販機からおつりが30セント出てこなかったっちゅーだけで、自販機管理会社に弁護士を語ったクレーム・レターを送りつけて、30セント、コインで返金させてたツワモノだったから。彼なんて幸福から程遠い人でした。
In a nutshell, you'll feel happier when you spend money on others than spend (only) on yourself. I totally agree with this finding. A few years ago, I dated with a super stingy attorney David. He never spent even a cent on others. I recall he sent a claim letter to a vending machine company because he didn't get his change of 30 cents! He is so far away from happiness.
そういえば、オーヘンリーか誰かの作品で、きれいな庭を持ってるけど、子供たちが入ってくるのを堅く禁じた不幸せな老人の話ってなかったっけ？それが一転して、子供たちを庭で遊ばせるようになると、老人の不幸が一変して幸せな生活を送るようになったっていう。あれって、オスカー・ワイルドだったっけ？「幸福な王子」も他人のために自分を犠牲にするお話でした。
Oh, now I recall a short novel about an unhappy old man who has a beautiful garden. He strictly prohibited children from entering the garden. But in the end, he lets them play in his garden, leading to happiness, almost euphoria. Was it by O'Henry or Oscar Wilde? "The Happy Prince" is also about sacrificing yourself for others.
ケチケチ弁護士デービッドに比べてジャドソンとか、太っ腹な人って、見ていてストレス少なそうで幸福感が高いんだろうなぁって傍から見てわかるよ。僕もああなりたいなぁと憧れる数少ない稀有な人の一人（4月にまた再会する予定～。今日、メールしたら、押しかけてOKという返事を頂きました。）
As opposed to stingy lawyer David, Judson is so generous and to my eyes he's having a less-stressful life and actually looks happier. I adore him and want to be like him (I'm going to see him again! Today I asked him if I can visit him in April, he said fine).
ってなわけで、僕もボーナスのもらい逃げはよくないと考えて、どこか慈善団体に気持ちだけでも寄付することに決定。で、どこがいいんでしょうか・・・？今までいかに寄付してこなかったかがバレバレ。＞0＜
What I really wanted to say is that I shouldn't take all of my bonus. I decided to donate some of it to some charitable organization. But which one . . . ? It's so obvious that I haven't done this much so far.
聞くところによると、赤十字とかは、運営費で寄付金の30％（？記憶がおぼろげ）程度が職員の給与とかに流れるから、本当に必要な人たちには寄付金の7割しかいかないとか。寄付金が実際、慈善活動に直接的に利用される割合をどこかが公表してたと思うんだけど、その割合の高いところに寄付したい～。あと、目的。アフリカの飢饉に苦しむ子供たちとか、インドネシア沖の津波の被害者、カトリーナの被害者、エイズ基金、GLBTの未成年者たちへの啓発活動などなど、山ほどあるよねー。毎月、出身大学から郵送されてくる寄付金募集の手紙は無視だ。目的が良くわからん。しかも、こっちは授業料を払ってるしさ。
I learned that the Red Cross, for example, takes about 30% (may be wrong) of donated money for its operations such as staff's pay roll. So, only 70% of your money goes to people who are really in need. I thought this expense ratio information for charitable organizations have been publicized but don't know where. I want to give my money to an organization which doesn't take too much out of it for its operation. I also should think about the cause. There are so many good causes such as children suffering from famine in Africa, tsunami aftermath in Indonesia, Hurricane Catrina, AIDS, suppoting LGBT teenagers, and so on. I receive a donation solicitation letter from my university every month but it's out of the question. I have already paid for the tuition!
たまたま今日はIRS（日本でいう国税庁）から手紙が来ていて、ブッシュ大統領が通過させた経済刺激策の一環としての減税法のおかげで、5月には600ドルほど還付金が送られてくるとか。これを丸々、寄付ってのが妙案かも。所詮、一人600ドル程度で、サブプライムローン問題で火ダルマのアメリカ経済が立ち直るとは思えんし。
Coincidentally, I received a letter from IRS, saying that President Bush passed the Economic Stimulation Act and that I will receive a check for about $600 in May. It's another idea to donate this money to charity. I can't believe that $600 per person will save the U.S. economy from this subprime mortgage mess and billion dollars debt due to the prolonged Iraq War.
どなたか、どの慈善団体がいいとか、お知恵・ご意見いただけると嬉しいっす。
I'd appreciate if anyone can recommend some really good charity.
