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!

Always Send Snail Mail

There has been a decline in sending cards, much to the detriment of everyone involved. People send emails. They message. They send pictures. They tweet. But let me ask you, don't you feel so much more special when someone takes the time to hand write a note to you, put a stamp on it and send it to you in the mail?

That's what I thought.

Sometimes it's depressing to get the mail. You want to avoid getting bills or corporate letters trying to convince you to get yet another credit card.

But somewhere in the back of your head, you're hoping someone sent you something else - something personal that makes you feel cared for. You're hoping for a letter, a note, or even a newspaper clipping someone thought would interest you. You're hoping someone remembered your birthday or anniversary, or just sent you something to wish you luck. You're hoping someone sent you a note saying thank you.

Never underestimate the power of snail mail. Yes, it takes some time. Yes, it takes some money. But the pay-off is worth it. People love getting mail. You know this - you have felt it yourself.

It is a relatively small thing to drag yourself to Michael's (or another craft store) rifle through the dollar bins, and pick up some blank note cards. It takes only 5 minutes to write a short note that will brighten someone's day. Even if you hand deliver such a note, it makes a difference.

I can honestly say, every time I hand someone a sealed envelope their face lights up. In a day in age when people don't take the time to do this, it makes an impression. It sets you apart from other people because it shows you value people. And that is impressively awesome.