Another Christmas season gone. Most families and individuals have engaged in divers acts of giving. From donating cash and gifts to the less privileged, to supporting displaced persons, or providing free services to the indigent.
Generosity and selflessness are virtues that should be part of our daily life. Giving ought to be a lifestyle and not something we do on occasions. It’s also important to remember that giving doesn’t always feel great. The opposite could very well be true. Giving can make us feel depleted and taken advantage of. But, regardless of our feelings, we keep giving and serving others because that just might be the secret to living a life that is not only happier but also healthier, wealthier, more productive, and meaningful.
According to a Tara Parker-Pope in the New York Times, gift giving has long been a favourite subject for studies on human behaviour with psychologists, anthropologists, economists and marketers all weighing in. They have found that giving gifts is a surprisingly complex and important part of human interaction, helping to define relationships and strengthen bonds with family and friends. Indeed, psychologists say it is often the giver, rather than the recipient, who reaps the biggest psychological gains from a gift.
For centuries, the greatest thinkers have suggested the same thing: Happiness is found in helping others. None of us would be where we are today were if not for the great circumstances in which we have grown up. Therefore, it is not just a good thing to give back, it is our duty to try and make the world a better place for those less fortunate than ourselves.
We have rounded up some inspiring musings on selflessness and generosity:
“If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.” Chinese saying.
“True leaders are selfless. They have always been servants of the people first.” Anonymous
“Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life’s deepest joy: true life’s deepest joy: true fulfilment.” Tony Robbins
“A hero is somebody who is selfless. Who is generous in spirit. Who just tries to give back as much as possible and help people. A hero to me is someone who saves people and who really deeply cares.” Debi Mazar
“Helping one person might not change the world, but it could change the world for one person.” Anonymous
“Selfless acts are a source of profound meaning for yourself and your life.” Ron Kaufman
“The happiest are the givers, not the takers.” Anonymous
“It is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and others.” Dalai Lama
“You don’t need a reason to help people.” Anonymous
“It’s when you’re acting selflessly that you are at your bravest.” Veronica Roth
“Practice being selfless. You end up getting more than you anticipate when your soul is giving.” Anonymous
“Learn to love without condition. Talk without bad intention. Give without any reason. And most of all, care for people without any exception.” Anonymous
“Give to the world the best you have. And the best will come back to you.” Madeline Bridges
“Real love is about being selfless, not selfish.” Anonymous
“A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.” James Keller
“For it is in giving that we receive.” Saint Francis of Assisi
“The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity.” Leo Tolstoy
“We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill