We Get to Give

I feel like having the mind and ability to give is a blessing. Because on the opposite side - when we are not generous, the mind is likely in fear or scarcity and no one around you can be uplifted - which results in more of the same.

Quick Story

My first school was given to me. All the supplies and furniture were given to me. I look back and realize that I was in a circle of giving with the original owner of the school. She blessed my family with a few tuition-free months when I became pregnant with my daughter and my 5-year-old was attending her school. I thought about her kindness and offered to teach for her free of charge after her main/lead teacher suddenly left. Then when she felt like it was time to move on and relocate, she gave everything to me. This is a life lesson that I will always remember. I had entered into a circle of giving.

What we know so far...

Humans are social animals, so it is no surprise that we are wired to help one another. In our complex modern society, there are many ways to give, and the good news is that we now understand that both the giver and receiver benefit from the relationship. Neuroscience has demonstrated that giving is a powerful pathway for creating more personal joy and improving overall health.

But the benefits don’t stop at moods! Serotonin is connected to sleep, digestion, memory, learning, and appetite. Dopamine is connected to motivation and arousal. Oxytocin, “the cuddle hormone,” is among the most ancient of our neurochemicals and has a powerful effect on the brain and the body. When oxytocin begins to flow, blood pressure decreases and the foundation for sexual arousal is built. Bonding increases, social fears are reduced and trust and empathy are enhanced. Oxytocin is also an anti-inflammatory and reduces pain and enhances wound healing.

So, if giving allows us to secrete all the chemicals at once, we owe it to ourselves to give as often as possible![1] 

[1] Eva Ritvo, MD, “The Neuroscience of Giving: Proof that helping others helps you,” Psychology Today, Updated April 24, 2014, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/vitality/201404/the-neuroscience-giving.

Get help.

An Activity that I've used...

Find a thing you already own and really like, give it to someone you know for sure would benefit from having it. Ask yourself a few questions: Am I giving freely? Tip - give to a school or daycare or children you know. It's like a loving investment into the future.

Sweet Spring

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Quotes and Interpretations

Give freely something that is valuable to you, like time and love.

How we give to the future, is how we treat today.

Genuine generosity, with no strings attached, indicates a strong connection to our fellow human beings.

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another. Charles Dickens

Put love into your giving. It makes a difference. Giving based in impatience and reluctance creates a sense of resentment.

Freely giving lends itself directly to your personal happiness.

We must give more in order to get more. It is the generous giving of ourselves, that produces the generous harvest. Orison Swett Marden

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