The Joy of Giving to Others

We know how great it feels to receive a gift from someone. I believe however that the greatest satisfaction comes from the giving and knowing that you have made someone feel happier or made a positive contribution in some way to their life.

Think of the times when you have given to others. It may have been when you helped someone resolve a problem. You may have volunteered and given up some of your time to help out at your children’s school. You may have helped someone with directions to where they needed to go. The question I ask to you is how did you feel? I’d imagine you felt very pleased with yourself and happy inside.

There is something very nourishing to our soul when we give and help others. It provides us with an intrinsic reward that far outweighs what we give.

It also helps to take our mind of our own worries and challenges. When you are focused on how you can give to others you are less likely to consume your whole focus on your own concerns and challenges. It provides us with an opportunity to escape from our own world and see the bigger picture. There is great perspective that can be gained from stepping out of our own world and venturing into the world of other people. Your worries and challenges may not seem that significant when you compare them to other people’s situations.

There are many ways that you can give to others. You can:

* Give a smile to brighten up another person’s day;
* Give up some of your time to help others out;
* Give a helping hand;
* Give a donation;
* Give your attention to listen to someone;
* Give someone a hug;
* Give a gift;
* Give of yourself by sharing with others; and
* Give love and caring;

As you can see most of the ways that we can give to others does not necessarily have to involve money. They are many ways that we can give to others for free; yet what you give can be priceless to the person/s that you are giving to.

Look at those people who spend most of their time helping and giving to other people. What have you noticed about them? Most of the ones that I have observed are very content people. There may be a clue in that as to how we can achieve greater happiness in our lives.

I encourage you to look for opportunities where you can give and help others. It will bring a greater level of joy and happiness into your life. Try it!

Author: Steve Decker – Life Management & Success Coach