Giving: Always Awesome

One of the things that makes a person an awesome friend is to be giving. I never thought about this really until I was receiving gifts.

I don't just mean stuff, though stuff can be useful and quite helpful in the right circumstance. Giving isn't just about stuff. It is also time and skills. It could be money. It could be emotional support. Giving comes in all kinds of packages (ha!).

In our society it's easy to be selfish. It's easy to think only about what will benefit us at a given moment. It's easy to forget to give back or pay forward. Except when we do give, it can transform us. It doesn't just benefit the recipient. It also benefits us. Yes, giving a large sum of money to a person in tight spot so they can make rent is a huge blessing to that person. That is undeniable. Not only does it remove the stress of a looming bill (and a potential eviction notice) but it also makes the recipient feel cared for. Someone cared enough to bestow that kind of a blessing. But what about the giver? How does it benefit them?

Giving offers a chance to serve. It offers a chance to make a difference in someone else's life. It offers a chance to share abundance and provides the giver with a psychic reward. It's the excitement of watching someone else open a birthday present. There is genuine pleasure derived from giving.

Giving, it turns out, not only makes other people think you're awesome, but it makes you feel awesome. And that if probably the best mixture ever.

What are some ways you can give to people in your life? To strangers? What are some times when giving has changed your life? Leave a comment below!