Tis the season for Gift Giving! What are the true benefits of giving? In what place do you give from? Why do you give? How does giving serve you and the ones you give to? What comes from a generous heart? In this article, I’m going to share with you what may come as a surprise, the benefits of generosity and what exactly is in the gift of giving.
Around holidays, birthdays, and celebrations we tend to give more, or we are encouraged to give gifts around these specific times. Do we really take the time to examine why we are giving and what intentions we have in our giving?
It’s important to develop and create a generous heart with no obligations or expectations of return.
Giving Just Because
One of the main reasons to give should be because your heart desires to. Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.
Giving out of obligation, giving to serve the ego, giving to get something in return or giving just because it’s the holidays will not be rewarding and will not carry the same heart resonance as giving just because your heart wants to give from a place with zero expectations or obligations.
The holidays can become stressful and financially unmanageable when you are pressuring yourself to give during these specific times. We tend to look for gifts during these periods and then it becomes obligatory in nature and this can remove the pleasure that comes with giving freely from the heart.
Giving when you are prompted from your heart, versus because there’s simply a holiday present, will always be more rewarding.
It removes the pressures of only giving during the holidays and spreads cheer year around. Many of us give during these specific times because we feel like we should because it seems most everyone else is giving during these times and because socially it’s the “thing” to do and what is expected or appropriate in our society.
I encourage you to give all year around for no reason at all other than your heart’s desire. Maybe a friend or a relative is going through a tough period and you want to lift their spirits, this is a great time to activate your generosity and send a small token or handwritten note to express your sentiments. Giving as a surprise just because you appreciate others meaningful presence in your life. When people aren’t expecting gifts and they show up “just because” the joy is usually immense from the recipient.
Small gestures go a long way. The gift of giving is the gift.
Generosity Enhances Your Life On Many Levels
You will receive an upwelling of joy and warmth that is bestowed upon the recipient when you give. The magic is reciprocated by the spirit of generosity.
It feels enriching to give. When you give you are opening your own portals to receive. When you hold, begrudge and constrict you block your own blessings and gifts of reciprocity. The more generous and giving your heart is the more space you allow for universal gifts to flow into your own life.
Giving from your heart increases your well being, transmutes stress and in turn boosts your immune system. Feeling the excitement and love that others feel from receiving your beautiful intentions and heartfelt expressions cause a multitude of chain reactions throughout your entire being. On a cellular, physical and spiritual level we are being activated in a positive energetic way. The world needs more generosity, we thrive on it, whereas greed has the opposite effect, debilitating ourselves.
There Are Many Ways to Give And Be Generous
Many times when we think of gift giving we think of physical things that require financial means, this is not the only way to give. In fact, some of the most precious and heartfelt gifts take little to no money at all. The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.
We all know how valuable time and effort is. We live in a busy world with many demands. This is why freely gifting your time and presence is highly valued.
- Donating an extra set of hands on a project of giving back to others.
- Taking the time to listen and be present when others are feeling challenged.
- Creating handmade cards, crafts, artwork or just handwritten love notes to those you hold near and dear to your heart.
- Drawing a salt bath with essential oils for a partner, friend or loved one after a long day of work.
- Asking how you can assist others in their time of need.
- Offering free childcare to a single mother, father or couple that needs time for themselves.
- Watering plants, feeding stray hungry animals, giving them shelter and a kind presence.
- Giving someone a hug with encouragement.
- Taking time to pray for others well being and success.
- Holding someone’s hands when they’re afraid.
- Holding doors open, allowing others to go in front of you in line.
- Allowing others to be right.
- Listening with a non-judgmental presence.
- Listening to hear without having the need to respond.
- Smiling and acknowledging others presence. Everyone matters.
There are endless opportunities for gift giving. Being creative and recognizing that any action, deed or gesture from the heart small or large is truly a gift.
Don’t Forget to Give to Yourself
Ultimately by giving to others, you are giving to yourself. How you treat others is a big indicator of how you feel about yourself. Make sure you don’t forget yourself in this equation. Many of us are guilty of primarily gifting others and leaving ourselves out or feeling guilty for giving back to ourselves. You are an important part of the gift-giving circle. Treat yourself with kindness, compassion, and self-love. Make sure you refuel and restore yourself. Commit to showing up for yourself. Be good to your body. Check in with yourself regularly and make sure you are taking the time to give yourself the gift of cultivating healthy habits that enhance your mind, body, and soul.
The Bottom Line
I hope this article is a reminder that generosity comes in many different forms and that there is no certain right time to give. Most importantly that you should always give from your heart. I’ll leave you with this: