Generosity is the key to living a happy life. We all have gifts to share with others--mentoring, sharing our life experiences, providing manual labor, or donating money. These gifts do not have to be large in nature. Often the smallest of gifts make the most difference in the lives of people who are struggling.
Foster & Hicks found a few shared characteristics among their happy people: 1) they don't expect a return for giving to others; 2) their gifts were usually not material in nature--they gave of themselves; 3) it was a gift from their heart and not a result of guilt; and 4) they understand that the real benefits of giving come to the giver and not the receiver.
What ways do you or could you give to others? What prevents you from giving if you don't already? President Obama has launched a website, www.usaservice.org, where you can locate volunteer opportunities in your community. Check it out--you might find the perfect place to share your talents with those less fortunate than yourself.
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I am actually someone who prides myself in giving. I do not give as much as I should in the sense of a national or international level. However, I try to give to those around me as much as I possibly can. For example, I have a friend who is older than I am and she lost her only son in a drunk driving accident, went through breast cancer, and now her husband has cancer. She works ALL THE TIME to make ends meet on their payments-seeing that she is the only one working. Yesterday, I went to her work and go the garage door opener to her house and went there and cooked a complete homecooked dinner for her and her husband that was ready for her when she got home from a long day at work. She truly appreciated it because she only gets 1 day off a week and that day she spends taking care of her father who has been diagnosed with alzheimers disease. Therefore, she is constantly running all over town and never takes time for herself. I cooked dinner not because I wanted her to do something for me in return, but because it's something she never has done for her and it's something she never has time to do for herself. It brought tears to her eyes and it brought joy to my heart just because I made her happy by taking just a couple hours of my time to please someone who needed it. That is what giving is all about-seeing the happiness in someone else's eyes. It's the greatest joy of all and I wish more and more people could be made aware of that same joy.
ReplyDeleteCourtney Busick - COMM 460
ReplyDeleteI miss working with and mentoring children. As a former Elementary Education major, I not only had to do this for my classes and required hours by the state, but I enjoyed doing this. I know could spend my weekends getting involved in the community working with children. I am a giver and give and give to my family and friends. I am so busy during the week that when the weekends roll around, I finally give myself a break. I know I am selfish about this attitude.
My boyfriend has recently gone back to old church to help sing in the choir. I love to sing and have sung in church and school choirs throughout my life. When he asked me, I hesitated because I'm scared of what others will think of me. I know the church needs choir singers, so I don't want to do it out of guilt. I want to do it because I know have this talent and passion, but I'm embarrassed by it.
I got onto the USA Service website and realized how easy it is to volunteer. It's not going to be a burden. I want to give back to my community. I can be a volunteer with the Ronald McDonald House. I can help with Brightside clean-up.
Kathy Mattingly--COMM 315
ReplyDeleteI've never really paid that much attention to giving to others. I've just done whatever someone has asked of me. I guess the only time I've ever sought out places to give was through monetary donations for causes I believe in. I've always been a big support of St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Alzheimer's Association and the American Heart Association. I give money to these charities regularly but I've never really thought of giving my time to them. I've given my time to other organizations/people who needed it though. I was a volunteer for my sorority and would love to get involved with the chapter at UofL again. I'm always helping my nieces and younger cousins with school work when I visit my mom but I never really thought about that as giving...it's just something I do because I want them to learn something and be able to get ahead in life. I really think I'm going to check out that website and find ways to get involved more in my community! Perhaps I can make a difference in my life by making a difference in others.
I really love the subject of this blog. I am a true believer of the concept that giving is part of life and something that can immediately make someone just feel better about themselves!
ReplyDeleteThis post brings to mind an episode of "My Name is Earl" that was on NBC last week. Anyone who is familiar with the show knows that it revolves around Earl's list of people he's wronged in the past and the actions he takes to remedy those wrongdoings in efforts to stay in karma's good graces. Last week, he shared this concept with some stereotypically rich and snobby Beverly Hills housewives, who discovered for themselves that the real reward for being nice to others (like their maids and husbands) wasn't acquiring new "stuff." They realized that their consciences were clear, so they were able to get a good night's rest again.
While the episode was not real, it really summed up in a comical way what this post is saying about why happy people give to others. Though I do not always do it, I try to give money to people I see holding signs on street corners. I also "volunteer" by offering my editing services to my apartment complex for free every month for their e-newsletter. Occasionally, my fiancé and I will babysit for my niece and nephew so my sister and her husband can get some much-deserved time alone. Looking back on these items, though, I can see that I could be doing so much more.
I think that being available for friends who may be going through a tough time is also another example of selfless giving, but I would love to find a regular volunteer activity in my community in which to participate. I will definitely check out the website that Dr. Werking mentioned!
Sydney Smith-Comm 460.
ReplyDeleteI really agree that generosity is the key to happiness. Ever since a very young age doing various acts of community service has always been important to my family and I. For me, the things that I learned as a young girl now give me the tools to want to volunteer and give my heart to others in anyway I can. Currently, my family owns a nonprofit organization in which we tutor and get at risk youth from the Washington DC and Maryland area of the streets and into a productive program. It not only consists of a basketball team, but a good GPA needs to be maintained as well. My duties are performing tutoring and organizing fund raising events and even something as small as being a big sister to many of them. For me, thats the most satisfying part is having tons of "Little brothers" who know they can call on me if they need anything. And this is what makes me happy.
Angela Clayton from COM460m says...
ReplyDeleteI do consider myself as a very giving person. I've always enjoyed doing things for others and even when I was younger I never did something for someone for a gift or praise afterward. I enjoy just knowing that I can help other, other then just myself. I help out my sister with rides without gas money, watch my friends kids free of charge and many other things. The other day I was watching my cousins little boy and my boyfriend smiled and told me that he knew that I would be a good parent when I do have children. It did feel good just simple because we really don't talk about things like marriage or kids. But it made me smile that he knew that I'm a caring and loving person to others.
A time that I can think of that I recently helped give was during the ice storm we just had. We were very lucky to not lose our electricity and opened our home to several family members and friends that were without power for a week. Not only did we provide them with shelter, but with warm meals, and nice hot showers. I felt as if our house was a bed and breakfast and it did get a little stuffy sometimes. However, it did bring joy and happiness to me though and I truely felt good about giving. I also thought to myself that if I was in their situation, I would want someone to help me out as well. In regards to this blog, I feel as if the "Golden Rule" applies which happens to be an ethic of reciprocity. "Treat others the way you want to be treated," or "Give to others and someday when your in need they will give to you." There are many other ways that I give in which it ensures a happy life. I am very active in our church and enjoy teaching children's church, vacation bible school, and helping with the youth groups. I also enjoy substitute teaching at several schools and look forward to a career as a teacher when I finish my degree here at UofL. One of the best gifts my husband and I give our children is our time. To them this is better then any store bought, monetary item. With our busy lifestyles we dont spend as much time with them as we would like, so when we are together we make the most of it. At the end of the day we are all very happy that we have been given this time together. Giving brings much joy and happiness to the world and I believe that now with times being economically hard, presents great opportunity to get involved and help others that are less fortunate.
ReplyDeleteBrandi Koch - Comm 315
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! I have heard many times throughout my life that generosity and giving are keys to happiness. That it is not what you get in return, but the spirit of giving the makes you feel "full" or whole. Every time I have given of myself unselfishly, I have always felt joy. For example, when you buy a friend or loved one a gift that you know they will love, it is almost torturous to not give it to them right away! Or even just simple things like helping someone find something they are looking for in a grocery store. The other day I was at the Social Security office and the number taking process was a little confusing. When another woman walked into the room and could not figure out how to take her number, I helped her by completing the process for her. She was so grateful and I felt good for helping her - although that is not the reason I did it. We should help each other as human beings - for no reason other than to "do unto our fellow man". My husband and I have recently discussed doing volunteer work in our area and I am glad that you posted the website from Obama - I will most certainly be checking that out to see how I can be of service!
Giving is such a touchy subject for me personally. I am the most selfish person, so it is hard for me to put others first or even care about them. I work at UPS and I am a supervisor.I have 7 years experience and I am very good at my job. I am one of the most knowledgable sups. in my area. Just recently we had a supervisor transfer from another hub in Kentucky to the one here in Louisville. He has never seen anything like the operation we have. He has little experience and is young. His slow, unmotivated nature makes me think that UPS in Louisville was not the right choice. Instead of helping him adjust and teaching him what I know, I have put him off on another supervisor because I don't want to take time out of what I am doing to help him. The other supervisor is just as inexperienced as him, it is like two of the same kind. It's terrible to work with them because I think they are incompetant. I know that I need to help him because he is not getting the proper training. I feel bad because he isn't any good and it is in part because I don't care about him. I guess I do things so indapendantly and sometimes I forget what others have done for me. Even though I'm not willing to help him, I just forget that someone taught me what I know and I would not be where I am with out that person.
ReplyDeleteIt is funny that this post comes up now because i was just thinking about what I could be doing now since im here in Louisville to help other people. Being on the football team we get the opportunity to do some great things in the community with children as well as just with members of the commnity in general. I am looking forward to when these opportunities arise because it is so true that the best gifts are not material, but instead are gifts of the self. I will never forget the best thing i feel I ever did for someone was during thanksgiving break one year my senior year of high school I picked up a homeless person off the street and made a deal with him that if he spent half the day working the soup kitchen with me handing out turkey and warm meals to less fortunate people that I would afterwards take him to the store and buy him $50 worth of food. He agreed and it was a great day, people helping people. I will never forget the look on that mans face or the thankfulness in his voice when we parted ways. It was by far the best 50 bucks I have ever got the opportunity to spend.
ReplyDeleteAdam Froman-315
G.Mason Comm. 460-50
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to get out and volunteer whether it's helping out at an after school program helping kids with their homework or helping out at a homeless shelter. I feel that the way that my life is right now, being busy with work and school is my crutch and my reason for not volunteering my physical time to help out. I feel that I have been given the right tools, great opportunities, and have been greatly spoiled by my parents and other relatives. I am very grateful of all that I have, and I appreciate having the ability to do all of the things that I get to do in life. I am so grateful and this feeling makes me want to get out and do something to help others in some kind of way. All I have ever done is donate clothes and apparel every year to the Salvation Army or the Goodwill, but I feel that I could do so much more. Our president is a great role model if you really listen to what he stands for. He encourages us who are fortunate to go out and find our own ways of giving back to the community. If you ever have felt the need to get out and do something I feel that now is the time to do it. I am going to find a way to make this happen because I don’t think I will ever feel satisfied until I get off my behind and help out.
Recently have my found myself scouring for local volunteering opportunities. One day I woke up and said to myself "I am so lucky to have what I have, maybe I should share what I have with others." I feel that there is no greater attribute a person can have that their willingness to give back to people less fortunate, and to their community. There are many opportunities for you to do this on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteYou can visit a homeless shelter, or soup kitchen; they are always looking for extra help, especially around the holidays. If you don’t have time to make such a commitment, then you could just visit someone you do not know in a nursing home. There are numerous people, who do not have family to visit them, and appreciate someone to just sit and talk. Lastly, when you see someone pan handling, or sleeping on the sidewalk, stop and buy them lunch. It may not seem like much, but it may be the first companionship or hot meal that they have experienced in a long time.
If people were more giving, and could fully appreciate the feelings that giving to others provide, the world would be a better place. Try to find joy in the small things in life, one of which is helping your fellow man.
Posted By Branden Hatfield Comm 315-50
Maria Renee Davidson (COMM 315) said...
ReplyDeleteI am a huge fan of Oprah and she is the poster person for what giving to others can do one ’s self versus receiving things. All too many people have said that the greatest give of all is to give and not receive.
I agree with this blog/post in that the greatest gift available is to give of yourself and not of something material. I have given my time to organizations such as JCPS, Optimist, St James, KDF, Toys for Tots, etc. but I also feel despite my time volunteered in the various organizations there are also far more people and places that need to be reached out to.
Homeless shelters, crisis shelters, hospitals are all places that also need assistance as well as places struck by devastation from the aftermath of storms. I think that in my giving to others I have allowed myself to follow suit to lending to the organizations that have been helped by my family instead of branching out on my own for greater causes I am passionate about. My new year’s resolution was to reach out to an organization and provide them with any free time that I have and I have yet to meet that goal. It is often that I have great ideas but have a difficulty making the time to follow through.
I hope that by the summer I am not only able to volunteer my own time but the free time of my daughter as well. I would love for her to be passionate about an organization or doing for others. I know that she is on the right path though. Last summer she had several of her friends over and they all made posters to educate others on the importance of adopting pets and went door to door to pass them out in our neighborhood. Although it may not be the most efficient way to reach out, or the safest, I feel like she is taking an interest in something larger than her own tween world and for that I am proud of her.
Growing up as only child with my mother and grandmother was pretty fulfilling. I received plenty of gifts and most of what I wanted was given to me so to start giving was really something I took upon my self to do. Every year I do this massive give away a goodwill. I go through all of my shoes and clothes and give things that I can spare. A lot of people give away things that are just there sitting in their closet and they don't even look at anymore, but I think that is just convenient. I went through this phase about two years ago when if someone told me they liked something I had on, I removed it and handed it to them. It became pretty costly after a while and then I realized I didn't have anything to wear!!! But it feels really good to give even if it is not material things like giving time to kids in the Home of the Innocence. Some of those kids you will love for the rest of your life. I believe giving should be a part of everyone's life
ReplyDeleteMoniqe Stepney comm 460
Unfortunately I do not give as much as I believe I should. I love to help out as much as I can for those I know but when it comes to strangers it is always hard for me to get all the way comfortable (does this make sense to anyone or do I just sound rude?). In grade school I was active in many clubs that performed volunteer work and I really enjoyed it. We sang and visited nursing homes in Choir, picked up trash on the side of the road for FBLA, ect. I think it was because I was completing the volunteer work with friends and peers I knew. I think when it comes down to it I am afraid to give by myself. Wierd, I know. I think people also lack in their giving because we get so busy with the hussle and bussle of life. Start our day, work, come home complete house work and family needs then it's time for bed.... we get so caught up in life we forget those in need. I think once I graduate from UofL I would actually like to volunteer at a nursing home if possible..thanks for reminding me of how much others need help sometimes.
ReplyDeleteM. Rudolph- comm 460
Tokova 460
ReplyDeleteI think that I am a very giving person. I often give of myself to the point that I forget to take time for myself. My American family has taught me that giving and generosity will bring you happiness. You do not have to have lots of things to be happy, you just need to feel that you have helped someone else.
Ashley Casebier Comm 460
ReplyDeleteI joined a group this year called the Younger Women's Club. It is a service and social group in Louisville for women between 18-45. I have found the service aspect of this group to be so touching to me in my life. I have treasured all the experiences that have come from helping other people. Last week I went to visit a place called the Neighborhood House in Portland (in Louisville). The children that go there pay $15 each year instead of having to go home. 80% of the kids enroll themselves and pay the $15 required for yearly membership. They have 7 year olds that come with $1 and work for the other $14 throughout the year! How could your home life be so bad at 7 years old that you choose to go somewhere else with your own money!! Anyways, I felt so touched and wanted to give as much as I could. However, being a college student monetary donations are difficult for me so I choose to give my time. You can volunteer to read to the children, help the chef make all their dinners, help in an art clinic, and the list goes on.
I feel so blessed to have the life I have, although it is very basic, I am able to help others in very worse off conditions.
Giving is a wonderful aspect of life and it's true that it usually benefits the giver more than the receiver. One way that i gave that made me feel really good was working for the Cabbage Patch. Going in there and spending time with the children brought happiness to me. It's nice to know that there is a place where children can go after school and engage in positive activity so that they aren't out on the streets getting involved in things they should'nt. I am glad that I can volunteer here and that the kids can look up to the volunteers and have positive role models. - Zach Dobson 315
ReplyDeleteKarla Crawford - 315
ReplyDeleteThere are many ways in which a person can give, but some people don't realize that giving of yourself, your time is the greatest gift of all. I've often said that I would love to become a volunteer and have even inquired about CASA, interviewed and attended a few training sessions, however sadly, I didn't get to complete them but plan to start the process over again. I want to help and know I it will be very rewarding, but until I'm able to fully dedicate my time to the organization I just try to help people in other ways. For example, I teach Sunday school;help at my son's school and run errands for a few senior citizens in my neighborhood. As time allows I plan to do more, but until then I have the satisfaction of knowing that I'm able to give a little of myself.