Giving is Better

By: Tori Andrews

 When I was younger, I remember my Dad often telling my brother and I that, “It’s better to give than to receive”. I remember not always totally understanding what that meant, but always keeping it locked in the back of my mind because of how strongly he seemed to believe this. I also remember being in awe of how freely and generously my Mom gave to others in her life without even thinking about it and how she still does to this day. As an adult, seeing my daughter get so excited when she receives or experiences something new, is one of the best feelings. Many studies show that generous people often have better mental health than those that are less likely to give to others.

   Even though many will agree that they enjoy giving to others or that they feel better after doing something nice for someone else, it seems that we all too often get caught up in our own individual wants and needs without considering that doing the very opposite could be the very thing that we need to begin with. With the holiday season wrapping up, I’m sure it’s not too hard for many of us to recall something nice we’ve recently done or given someone else, but let’s consider how we can make this a practice that we integrate into our everyday lives. Tangible gifts are an option, but compliments, time, and a listening ear are just a few other examples of things we can give that also go a long way!

Wishing you all a beautiful and more generous new year,

tja