“If you want to learn something, read about it. If you want to understand something, write about it. If you want to master something, teach it.” ~ Yogi Bhajan
The above words suggest that it is in giving that one benefits—giving of or putting in your time and energy reaps valuable lessons, skills and creative works. The best gifts are received in giving.
Many people swear that this is true. Receiving a thoughtful gift or favour from a family member, a friend, or a kind stranger melts the heart, but I believe that it is in giving that one receives the greatest reward. This reward is very often not tangible, but it has the power to inspire hope, confidence and a belief in our common humanity.
Hope is easily inspired in giving; the beneficiary gets a chance to progress in their life, whether in school, at work, or even to survive another day; they get to see their problem vanish, even momentarily. But the benefactor can also receive hope from the exchange; hope that s/he can make a small difference in someone else’s life; hope that small acts can effect small changes that can often have great impact.
Confidence in one’s self is another benefit of giving. But how does giving inspire confidence in one’s self? We understand confidence brought about by receiving a well-needed item that can then make one feel good about themselves. However, for the giver, it’s rather simple how giving inspires confidence. By doing something for others, we unearth our talents and skills in that act of service; talents that may not have been previously recognised. That act of doing alone can boost our confidence to do for ourselves and offering a valuable service to our community.
Our common humanity is that we share the same experiences on a basic level. We share the same need for love, shelter, belonging, security and happiness. The last one can seem elusive to many, yet we all yearn for it. Giving allows us to see that first-hand—to witness our own humanity through acknowledging another’s. It can take the focus away from our own problems, which sometimes pales in comparison to what others endure in their lives. And that seemingly elusive happiness we all seek, giving gifts us with a momentary piece of it, which explains why do-gooders always seem so happy.
The beauty about giving is that it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Giving doesn’t need to break the bank or make you compromise your beliefs or standards. A small act of kindness, a smile, a simple hello, a kind word, a bus fare or a meal—these are all acts of giving that can be rewarding both for the giver and the receiver. Bigger acts of kindness impact many more people’s lives and gain more attention, and can also allow for group bonding and camaraderie. Ask any Kiwanis or Rotary club member, or anyone who makes personal charitable donations to those in need.
Giving truly is its own reward.
Written by L.M. McBean
LariMac ©️ 2023
LariMac 