Are you a giver? It doesn’t necessarily mean money but in other ways like giving your time or donating the household items that you no longer need. I wrote 10 advantages of giving to persuade you that it is a habit worth doing.
- It makes you feel good and the recipient too.
Are you one of the individuals that get excited every time you will give a gift to someone? The anticipation of giving the gift gets you all pumped up and can’t even wait for sunrise. In other words, you are more excited than the person who will receive it. I AM ONE OF THEM.
JOY and EXCITEMENT are present in giving. Both of these are positive emotions that can put a smile or even giggles on your face. Moreover, it will be thrilling to see the face of the receiver especially when you know that it is the gift they really want to have. How amazing is that? Both of you are in a delightful mood!
- It is an opportunity to make a significant difference.
One of the ways to help someone is through giving. Everyone has something to give. Listening to an audiobook by Catherine Ponder, the author told about the widow with children who didn’t have food to eat. The person on the phone suggested to give but the widow complained she doesn’t have any money. The person at the end of the line said: “ You have something to give.”
The widow looked around and saw the flowers in her garden. She cut the flowers and gave it to her neighbor who was sick and living alone. The acquaintance was ecstatic to receive unexpectedly a visitor with flowers. At the end of that day, a relative came by to the widow’s house and gave $30. It was the money the widow didn’t expect to come back.
- It creates space in your home.
Are you a hoarder? Are you the type of person who keeps things because, in the future, you might use that item JUST IN CASE? Personally, I realized that living a minimalist lifestyle is such a better option than keeping all these unused stuff.
I am not yet in the levels of super-duper organized everything is in order type of mother. However, when I made the decision to let go of most of the things I don’t even really need, I saw a clutter-free spacious home. What a sight to behold. As if I saw the light at the end of the tunnel.
Related blog post: 10 Lessons Learned in Removing Clutter
- Family bonding is strengthened.
One of the ways of showing one’s love to another is through giving. Giving your time to your children is the ultimate proof you care for them. You will relate to me as a mother that chores are a lifetime gig especially deciding what’s for dinner.
However, when I chose to give my time to my sons and just watch for a couple of minutes anything online they are enthusiastic to show me, the bonding between us strengthened.
We laughed at the attention-grabbing videos together. I learned there is CRUNCHYROLL which you can watch anything anime. My son and I are both watching episodes of an anime that we can discuss. We have something in common to talk about, all because I gave my time.
- It makes you a better person than before.
The moment giving becomes a habit, it will change you for the better. The focus is no longer on yourself most of the time but on other people. Your mind will be busy on ways on how to help rather than be trapped in a mental loop of worries which in reality they are not a huge deal after all.
- When you give graciously, it will come back to you in different ways.
According to the Bible, you reap what you sow. It might be unexpected money, precious time from a person you really need to see or free food or items you didn’t expect to receive. When you get them, you feel so grateful for the surprise!
- It improves your Yes or No decision-making skills.
When you are a giver by heart, the toughest decision will be to help or not to help. Sad to say, there will be people in our lifetime who will take advantage of the kindness we generously give. According to Oprah, it is important to set boundaries when we help people through giving.
Sometimes people got used to expecting our assistance that they don’t help themselves anymore. This is where our decision making will be tested if it is a Yes or No answer especially when huge money is involved. What you allow will continue.
- It brings out the creative person in you.
Have you received a gift that made you say “Wow! This person really put some effort into making this present for me!”
Sometimes, the best gift for our loved one doesn’t even come from the shops. Some givers really buy materials and make the item from scratch. Their work of art is better compared to the ones in the malls. It is special, customized just for you!
Their creative minds were active just because of you.
- It improves your social skills.
When you give your time like volunteering in the community, school or church, it enhances your social skills. You get to know families from various backgrounds. It opens your mind to new ideas and sees it from their perspective.
Learning diverse concepts make your communication with them less awkward, more informative and more entertaining because you are more comfortable with each other.
- Giving the essential gift of FORGIVENESS to yourself and others is a benefit worth having.
Throughout this list, I mentioned giving your TIME, MONEY AND MATERIAL THINGS. I want to end the list with an important note about FORGIVENESS.
Forgiveness is a delicate subject to discuss. It opens memories both good and bad. I understand that people have various definitions of forgiveness. Others may start to cry when this word is mentioned.
Sometimes it is easier to forgive others than to forgive oneself. Families and friends fight but gradually forgive each other in days, weeks, months and even years!
However, forgiveness for oneself is buried so deep you don’t realize you haven’t done it in a long time!
My dear reader, when was the last time you forgave yourself? It is such a precious gift to yourself if you haven’t.
I understand that it may take a while. It is just an important reminder because it is an idea we usually set aside. If you begin now, freedom will soon be yours.
Christmas is coming. My intention for you my dear reader is to have peace, joy and abundance in this festive gift-giving season. God bless you.
