Cultivate The Art Of Giving During The Festive Season

During the festive season, we allow our spendings to skyrocket – we get a little more self-indulgent, we are more liberal with our purse-strings in making purchases for our family and treating friends. We revel in a smugly pleasant sense of satisfaction when we give to people we love. But that is more of an expression of our love or fondness or even gratitude and in return we feel fulfilled about pleasing a loved one. That is not true giving. True giving is to give out of the goodness of our hearts, with absolutely no self-serving motives.

It’s not enough to just be grateful in knowing you belong to a comparatively privileged place in life – we need to give back to causes and people not as privileged as us. And more than any other time, it is during the Festive season that we should try to imbibe the art of giving – to give with any expectation. Because that is when you are truly doing God’s work, that is when giving becomes a blessing for the giver and receiver. It is said that true giving comes from the same place inside you as your deepest happiness, and that true giving and happiness are interwoven. It would be sad to go through life not having experienced that kind of deep happiness, wouldn’t it?

Giving doesn’t always have to be tangible. There’s a line made famous by a TV commercial which goes, “There are some things money can’t buy” – I disagree. I think there’s a lot of things money can’t buy and these things are way more valuable. Now imagine if you were to give or gift such intangibles… wouldn’t that truly justify the act of giving? In the words of the great Pablo Picasso, “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”

Giving is not just about making a donation, it is about making a difference. For e.g., you could give of your talents – coach or teach someone; offer your professional services gratis to those in need and can’t afford it; Or you could give your time and volunteer for a cause you hold close to your heart – like children and animal welfares; Or you could give blood and save a life; Or you could give memories! Memories make the best gifts, and often don’t cost a thing. By approaching the festive season with the mindset of giving such intangible, invaluable gifts, not only will you have given true meaning to the sense of giving, but you would have also contributed significantly less to the wasteful, consumerist side of the season.

There truly aren’t enough words to describe the contentment and happiness that accompanies the act of giving. Even simple acts of giving which we think of as ‘random acts of kindness’ or ‘no big deal’ — are incredibly important. Giving, in any way, is self-empowering and strengthens communities, brings people together and provides us with valuable experience, spiritual insight and growth. So, what better time than the festive season to cultivate the art of giving?

Have A Wonderful Weekend!

Anahita (anahita@parsi-times.com)