By Giving, We Receive

Dear Friend,

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give. -Winston Churchill

When we give we also receive. There is something about giving that we all yearn to do because when we give we share a piece of our heart and a piece of our soul. And, when our giving is monetary it requires a sacrifice. When we give, we share with the world - adding meaning and value to the lives around us and to our own life, as well. Think back to last week's article on the blessings in our life. I suspect many of us had some material items on our list. When we give some - even just a little - we share our abundance with the people around us. Dr. Martin Seligman of the University of Pennsylvania, considered one of the fathers of positive psychology and author of Authentic Happiness, has created an experiment for his students. Students are broken into two groups. One group was told to do something fun, the other group was told to serve others. Guess which group of students came back as the happier group? You are correct if you guessed the one that served others. When we simply serve our own needs we can experience pleasure, but research shows that once the "fun" activity ends our pleasure ends as well. Rather, if we want to experience sustainable pleasure - we must think beyond our own needs and desires and consider those around us.

Consider several phrases from the poem Giving by Kahlil Gibran:

Then said a rich man, 'Speak to us of Giving.' And he answered: You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow?

... There are those who give little of the much which they have - and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome. And there are those who have little and give it all. These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty.

... It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding;

... Therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors'. You often say, 'I would give, but only to the deserving.' The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture. They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish.

... See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument of giving. For in truth it is life that gives unto life - while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness.

Make It Happen

This week I'm going to ask that you perform a random act of service. Perhaps at the grocery store you help someone unload their groceries or perhaps you offer to pay for their groceries. Do whatever feels right to you. Find one significant way to serve someone around you either with your time, money, or resources. Another act of service might be to select an amount of money that you are willing to part with - cash (no tax benefits here, only emotional ones!) and find someone in need and give it to them anonymously. Another suggestion is to drive someone to work who typically relies on public transportation. My request is that you find at least one way serve those around you this week. Once you do jot down in your journal or even on your calendar what you did and how it made you feel. By giving, we chart the path of our life!