The Power of Giving

Most people associate giving with charity and donating money. There are many ways to give and participate, and without the process of giving and taking, humankind would not exist.

I would define the process of giving by first making sure we understand why we are giving, and the reason we are giving must be linked to the person or organisation we are giving to. We must listen, observe and empathise to understand the needs of the receiving party, so that we give the right thing, at the right time and in the right way. Giving can be described as the act of thoughtful actions towards a person which will bring positive and constructive benefits to their life. People give not because they have but because they have an inherent urge to give. In fact, many well-known philanthropists did not start their charity work when they got rich, they probably didn't know that they would become rich. Even without any material gift to offer, sharing your ideas can have immense personal benefits.

However, you must first give to yourself, i.e. set-up your own goals for self-growth, peace of mind and empowerment to live the moment. In order to genuinely love others, we need to love ourselves first. We need to cultivate self-acceptance and strengthen our self-esteem.

Today, scientific research provides compelling data to support the notion that giving one's time, talents and treasures is a powerful pathway to finding purpose, transcending difficulties, and ultimately finding fulfilment and meaning in life. By giving out what you have without expecting anything in return, you start living a meaningful life. If you find meaning in the lives of those in need and do something about it, you will also find meaning in your own life

The act of giving will enhance the quality of life of the recipient and enrich the inner well-being of the person who is giving. Make giving part of who you are.