I read many magazines which often promote ‘wellness’ and one of the main factors that keeps turning up is ‘how to be happy’. I find this somewhat amusing because as I have previously stated, no one person gets happiness from the same thing. But there is one thing, all people experience happiness with. That one thing is GIVING.
Small children receive lots of gifts, but there is nothing more beautiful than watching them give a present to a family member, especially something they have chosen themselves. Not only are they excited about giving the gift, but their whole face lights up as they watch the receiver open up the package to discover what is inside. Many times, the child will help the recipient to remove the packaging. They can’t wait to see how well the gift is received. Generally, the person opening the package will express delight at what is inside, no matter what it is. I can remember giving my mother a toothbrush for a birthday present when I was young and so happy when she raved about the brush, the colour and size. It wasn’t the fact that she had received a toothbrush. Gosh she could have purchased that herself, it was the fact, I had gone to the trouble of buying it for her. For days after I felt warm inside thinking about giving that toothbrush. I still remember it. It had a powerful effect.
So ‘giving’ is an important part of one’s life. And giving makes people happy. Maybe that is the reason so many people volunteer their services to charitable organisations.
Children who always get given everything they want, and are never encouraged to give to others, grow up expecting everything in life. This can stay with them until they reach adulthood and by then it has become their way of life.
I quite often I tell people how fortunate I have been. Not lucky. That is something that happens by chance. But being fortunate means good things happen to you. And being fortunate, makes me realise how great my life has been. I have received lots of love, support, kindness and friendship from many people I have met over the years, and I consider myself fortunate to have received this. I quite often ask myself why? What have I done to deserve this?
In my opinion I have done nothing to deserve my fortune, but someone somewhere appreciates what I do because my kindness, generosity and friendship have been returned to me in spades. No one becomes a friend of mine because I am famous, because I am not, but I am fortunate to say I have many friends I could ring in an emergency and they would be on my doorstep within 24 hours. Please don’t think I’m bragging. I am just stating a fact. It surprises me too.
What I am hoping you will understand is, when one gives, they also receive. Not from the people they give to, but from others. Giving and receiving go hand in hand. Gifts of money are not the answer; it is giving the gift of oneself to help and be friendly that counts.
Those who don’t care enough about anyone else but themselves, and expect everyone to give to them, from my observation never find happiness. Their whole life becomes full of question as to why, people don’t like them and avoid them. After several years they become very lonely, and until they discover, to receive you must first give, is the way their life will remain.
If you are reading this and realise you are one of those people now is the time to change and start thinking of how you can help others. You will be surprised at the results.
Julie Finch-Scally ©
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