Altruistically Speaking..

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” This was a famous quote by British Statesman, Prime Minister, Author and Nobel

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” This was a famous quote by British Statesman, Prime Minister, Author and Nobel Prize Winner, Sir Winston Churchill.
We experience great joy when we are at the receiving end of something good, but there is a greater satisfaction associated with giving, whether little or big, tangible or intangible.
Its not just about giving in terms of exchanging Christmas gifts with your sister, taking your best friend for a treat, or spending time with your parents? Giving back should not be an obligation, but a hearltfelt inclination. What the world needs more of is altruism, defined as the practice of concern for the welfare of others. Altruism is beyond giving back to somebody or returning favours.
Have you ever given out without expecting anything? Maybe helped a struggling mother with her baby during a journey, done some work in the community, visited the old age home, sent a surprise card to a former teacher or maybe just gave an assuring smile to a hurting child? Such acts of kindness result in an intense feeling of happiness, which is referred to sometimes as Helper’s High. Helper’s High is the feeling of elation and excitement experienced after performing a kind act and is associated with the release of endorphins in our body.

Giving is not about having it all, giving is not about big things or about how powerful you are in society. It does not matter how old you are, what tribe you are from, what high-paying job you have or whether you have a job at all.
Everybody has an opportunity to create change in their sphere of influence by giving. The act of giving gives the giver a sense of abundance, regardless of how much or little the person has. It also increases the feeling of self worth, when you realize that you can make a difference, no matter how small.
When I was at an ICU visiting a patient a few weeks back, I saw a lady in tears come and stand outside the waiting room. I wished I could do something for her. I just went to her and asked her if I could give her a hug, she thanked me and I gave her a hug. I am not sure how much it helped her, but I certainly felt very fulfilled.
Sometimes just giving a hand-made card or saying a kind word can comfort a grieving heart. There is a lot we can do to make a difference in the world, one step at a time. We could volunteer at a community event, prepare a meal for a patient in the hospital, teach a craft to the neighbour’s kid or visit an ailing neighbour.
The most memorable Christmas of my life was when I was an MBA student in India. Some fellow students and I got together and visited an orphanage with some gifts bought with our limited student budget. Seeing the children with joy-filled hearts, playing with them and watching them present their singing and dancing talents with excitement made us forget Santa Claus or Christmas trees. With the little we had, we had created memories in the lives of these precious ones and in ours too.
Indeed there is great intrinsic motivation that comes with acts of generosity. But is that all?Well, here is the good news!! As much as altruism is about giving where you do not expect a return, studies have shown that genuine acts of generosity and kindness committed without a sense of obligation come with bonuses beyond the release of endorphins and increase in self-esteem.
A growing number of scientists believe that doing good affects our health, even our longevity. Psychological studies and experiments have actually demonstrated again and again that doing good boosts the immune system, reduces symptoms of depression, lowers anxiety, prevents negative mood states and shortens recovery time. That could be because helping others gets our focus away from our issues and ourselves and makes us reach out into the lives of others.
Stephen G. Post, PhD, author of ‘Hidden Gifts of Helping’, in one of his research papers, talks about how altruism can be an antidote for stress, which is a common predictor of heart disease. Interestingly, he says that even when people think about giving, the body doles out feel-good chemicals such as dopamine, which has a soothing effect, and possibly serotonin, one of the brain chemicals we treat depression with. He also talks about Oxytocin, the compassion hormone, which brings about the caring connection. Now you didn’t know that giving could get all that scientific, did you?
All through our lives we have heard of stories, watched movies, read books and heard religious leaders talk about altruistic souls leading meaningful lives. Science is now proving true the Biblical adage ‘Its better to give than to receive’.
Let us make giving a happiness-habit in our lives. By acting heroically, we are not just improving our physical and emotional well being, but also touching the world- one life at a time. So whose life are you touching today?

Categories: : giving, heal the world, touching lives