Giving is contagious. Have you ever noticed that when the people around you are being generous, you feel compelled to join in? When you see someone drop their coins into the Salvation Army bucket, don’t you start to search your pockets too? Why is this?
One study conducted by the Harvard Business School reports that people who give charitably to organizations felt greater happiness, but that there was no correlation between spending on oneself and happiness. (1) This study seems to prove the old saying, “’Tis better to give than to receive”. If this is true, then how can I get in on the fun? Below is a list of some practical ways we can all give back not only during the holidays, but throughout the year as well.
5 ways to give back
1. Give money to an organization. Find an organization and research where the money goes. Who are you interested in giving to? Children? Funding research for curing an illness? Feeding the homeless in your area? There are hundreds of organizations asking for donations. Do a quick search and find out where they money goes. Does it go to the people they claim to help or does most of the money stay within the organization and its million-dollar-salaried CEO? Make sure your money is being used for what you intend it to be used for.
2. Give to people you know. Does the neighbor have trouble making ends meet? Does your coworker need help buying gifts for their kids’ birthdays? Listen to the people around you talk and look for ways that you can jump in and meet a need they may have.
3. Give your time. Every city across our nation has a soup kitchen or a clothing closet. Volunteer to serve meals or to wash donated clothes. Does the single mother down the street need help with the kids and would be willing to let you watch them a couple of hours a week? Could the elderly couple next door use help mowing the lawn? Look around you. Need is everywhere and it often won’t cost you a dime.
4. Give your talent. Volunteer to play and sing at the local nursing facility. Help the neighbor paint the fence. Change the oil a single mom’s car. Paint a picture of a sunset for someone who isn’t able to get out of the house much. Are you a dentist? Offer free dental care to someone in need. Are you a makeup artist? Give free makeovers to high school girls who can’t afford it at prom time.
5. Give your possessions. That car that you have sitting in the garage that hasn’t seen the light of day in more than a year could be a huge blessing to someone else. If you’re not using that set of dishes, why not give it to someone who could use it?
There are plenty of ways for us to make an impact on the world around us. Each day we can do small acts of kindness that may have a great impact on the receiver. Often, we don’t see the full results of what we have done, but we can feel happy knowing that in some way, we have improved another person’s day or even life. Look for ways to give back in your community and in the world. It is up to us to create a culture of generosity. A small spark can ignite a blazing inferno of generosity. Take the time to give back today.
“They may forget what you said—but they will never forget how you made them feel.” – Carl W. Buehner
Dr. Ricardo Martinez
Dr. Ricardo Martinez is an internist in Naples, FL and is affiliated with NCH Baker Hospital. He received his medical degree from Superior Institute of Medical Sciences of Santiago de Cuba and has been in practice 20 years. He also speaks multiple languages, including Spanish. He specializes in hospital medicine, ambulatory care and is experienced in hospice and palliative medicine, bariatric medicine, diabetes mellitus, food allergy, and infectious disease. As of March 16th, 2020, Dr. Martinez has founded Well-Being Medical center in Naples Florida. He is looking forward to providing Medical care within primary care settings and urgent care service throughout the Naples Florida area.
well-being medical center
239-315-7801
www.well-beingmedicalcenter.org
851 5th Ave. N. Suite 102, Naples, FL 34102
Source:
1. Kinnear, David (2017) The psychology behind giving back, David
Kinnear | Medical Research and Environmental Conversation.
Available at: http://davidkinnear.org/psychology-giving-back/