Give instead of receiving because it is better. Our first bite of a shared birthday cake hammers the old adage into our minds. But does the truism conceal a more profound truth?
Yes, that’s the resounding response. Giving is a vital gateway to personal growth and long-lasting enjoyment, and scientific study offers solid facts to back this claim. We now know, according to fMRI technology, that donating engages the same brain regions that are excited by eating and sex. Altruism is demonstrated by experiments to be hardwired in the brain and to be enjoyable.
Giving is not always joyful, though, and that must be remembered. It’s also possible that we might give up to the point where we feel depleted and used. If you want to give until it feels great rather than until it hurts, consider the following suggestions:
1. Discover your passion first.
Building on our excitement, we should donate. The quality of our product, not the quantity that we provide, is what counts. It’s normal for us to give this more attention than that, and that’s fine.
2. Take some time.
A gift of time is typically both more valued by the receiver and more satisfying for the giver than a gift of money.
3. Rather than reacting, take action.
We have all felt the horror of being forced into making a donation when friends ask us to support their fundraising efforts, for instance. In these situations, we tend to give out of humility and fear rather than generosity.
