The hand of the giver is never empty. – unknown
The act of giving however great or small can be remarkably powerful with beneficial and lasting effects. Giving amplifies kindness in our world and has the potential to inspire hope and optimism or to be a solution to one of the many challenges in today’s world.
Giving comes down to values, right? It is about connecting with the values that we find most meaningful and inspiring. If you are a giving person you most likely have a deep connection to the values of kindness, contribution, generosity and possibly compassion to name only a few.
When you follow your higher aspirations, cultivate intention and motivation beyond self-interest and personal outcomes and give without expectation of anything in return, you are more likely to develop a natural pattern of giving and engage in more frequent acts of prosocial behaviour. Even with a genuine altruistic motivation, the act of giving can enhance our own well-being and happiness and even create the “helpers high.” I have written about the helpers high before.
In the article, Wanna Give? This Is Your Brain on a ‘Helper’s High’ the Cleveland Clinic references numerous studies about how giving affects your body by boosting physical and mental health including the health benefits below…
- Lower blood pressure
- Increased self-esteem
- Less depression
- Lower stress levels
- Longer life
- Greater happiness
Before giving, the mind of the giver is happy; while giving the mind of the giver is made peaceful; and having given, the mind of the giver is uplifted. – Buddha
There’s something else about giving, a bit of a curly one and when it gets a mention it makes some among us very uncomfortable and that is – “being able to receive goes hand in hand with being able to give”.
You want to be a good giver, learn how to receive. Yes, that’s right and if it makes you uncomfortable start by graciously accepting compliments with a simple, “Thank you.” When someone gives you a compliment and you quash or reject it, what have you done? You have rejected a gift and denied someone the joy of giving.
Ever travelled on an aeroplane? Remember when the crew demonstrate the safety protocols and how they always advise that in the event of a drop in air pressure you must secure your oxygen mask first. If you cannot get (receive) the oxygen that you need you will not be able to help others. “The more you receive, the more you have to give.”
Learn how to receive and you become a part of the circle and cycle of giving and receiving. – Louise Crosby
Let’s all do what we can to keep the circle and cycle going.
The act of giving manifests in many forms from the intangible such as love, time or energy and the tangible such as money, food, clothing, books or shelter. Generally we give within our means and never underestimate the value or power of even a small monetary donation – lots of small actions make for a big change. You cannot help communities ravaged by natural disasters or go to another country and educate the less fortunate without money nor can you save endangered ecosystems or wildlife without money.
At a practical level, it is important to consider the immediate or long term costs and consequences of our actions – our act of giving to ensure that we make a positive difference and are being of benefit.
Beyond the simple act of giving something as a gesture of appreciation (my mother raised us to “never go anywhere empty handed…”) when we visit a friend, family or a professional who helps us out, there are countless easy ways that we can give in our daily life. Many of these simple ways genuinely help to amplify kindness and contribute to solutions to many of the challenges in today’s world.
Here’s 9 easy ways to give
- Give thanks every day for all that you have in your life
- Mentor someone less privileged
- Give compliments to random strangers – you might transform someone’s day
- Volunteer – offer your skills or expertise
- Donate when natural disasters occur
- Offer to give help to the elderly or physically challenged when you see them struggling in a store or on the street
- Get involved in your local community
- Donate clothes, household items etc to a reputable charity
- Tithe a % of your income/revenue to a cause that you are passionate about
Are you passionate about a cause that you give to or have a favorite way to amplify kindness in your daily life? Let’s discuss in the comments below…
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