Chick-Fil-A
Est. 1946–3^rd Generation
Revenue: $11.3 Billion
Employees: 1,400+

Happiness is…

Chick-Fil-A ambassador, Trudy Cathy White credits her happiness to following wise advice given to her from her father and Chick-Fil-A founder, Truett Cathy.

“If you help enough other people get what they want in life, you’ll eventually get what you want out of life.”

White attributes her father’s guidance to her realization that “true happiness is less about me and more about others”. This message is evident beyond her role within this large corporation and can be seen through her employees in the joy that they exude as they serve others, greet their customers, and build relationships with their patrons.

The importance of what the Whites do is supported by the largest longitudinal study of adult life. Dr. Robert Waldinger, director of this study, has stated that “the people who fared the best were the people who leaned into relationships, with family, with friends, with community.” His work demonstrates that building relationships and serving one’s family, friends, and community leads to a happier, healthier, and longer life.

Being generous with your service leads to you being happier and healthier, and as seen by Trudy Cathy White, it can lead to you finding what you want in life. However, so often today, happiness is measured by what others can do for you, rather than how you can serve others, even those in your family. The apostle Luke gently urges Christians to not seek their own interests, but rather through their service, be blessed by giving to others.

“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Acts 20:35

We can grow happiness in our own families by choosing to build multigenerational relationships with our family, to resolve conflict and let it go, to prioritize spending time with each other. This is how a legacy brimming with happiness is built—by giving rather than receiving.

Bill High

Bill is CEO & Founder of Vyne Legacy. He works with families to equip them with tools to build multigenerational legacies, and he teaches givers and financial advisers on transformational biblical generosity. He is the co-author with David Green of Giving It All Away and Getting It All Back Again: The Way of Living Generously.

Published August 8, 2022

Topics: Family Business

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