Online Success Institute

Giving Back

Posted on June 18th, 2007 by Janelle

From Cynthia Kersey’s incredible newsletter “Unstoppable”. You can get your subscription at: www.unstoppable.net

Living a life of meaning always involves giving. Many of the classic religious and secular texts throughout history contain some variation on, “Give and it will be given to you.” Think about that for a moment. Isn’t it true that the people with the most love in their lives give the most love? The people with the most friends are the friendliest? Even a recent study by Stephanie L. Brown, Ph.D., of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, showed that seniors who give aid and support to friends and neighbors actually live longer than those who just receive it!

Consider making giving to others a daily habit in your life. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time and energy. It might be a smile to a stranger, an offer of business advice, a donation of money to a cause you’ve wanted to help, or a few hours spent volunteering at a community shelter. By sharing your talents, time, or money, you will become invigorated about your goal and your life because you will be making a difference in the lives of others. This creates wonderful feelings of satisfaction that will serve you well beyond your 30-day commitment.

TV host Larry King asked Dana Reeve, wife of paralyzed actor Christopher Reeve, if she ever gets depressed about her husband being confined to a wheelchair. “Yes, of course,” she said. “And when that happens, I immediately reach out to someone else who’s hurting. Chris does the same thing when he gets down. In fact, we usually do it together. Helping others is a surefire way to help yourself.”

By opening your eyes and heart, you will see countless ways you can simply reach out to others. There is nothing more fulfilling in life than expressing your love for others. When you create a habit of giving, you are the greatest recipient.

Not sure how to fit “giving back” into your everyday life? That’s okay. You can define service and giving in any way that works for you. Possible next steps could be:

Volunteer one day per month to assist a non-profit in your community
Mentor a new employee at work
Become a Big Brother or Big Sister
Donate blood through the American Red Cross
Help an elderly neighbor with some of their shopping needs
Cook a meal for a family in need
Join Habitat for Humanity and help build a home for a family in need
Teach someone how to read
Take the extra step “above and beyond” to provide services to a customer or find a solution to a problem outside your job description
Make a phone call to someone who needs cheering up
Sign up for a committee at your child’s school or in your community
Mentor a teenage girl who needs help
Commit yourself to reaching out today. When we give to others, we are the greatest recipients. As physician and writer John Andrew Holmes said, “There is no experience better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.”