That’s where we’ll pick up our discussion now at the intersection of Gratitude and Generosity on this edition of “Becoming Today“.
We’ve come to the place along our shared path of when it’s time to discuss how to make yourself open and available to become a “giver”.
Instead of resisting help, we must learn to surrender to it. In learning how to accept Help we are “Becoming” able to live a life with gratitude.
Even for those with this knowledge and many who not only know but have understood it as a belief, still accepting help can be uncomfortable. However remember there is no shame in asking for help nor freely accepting it. Giving and receiving are an integral part of life.
Here are some tips to assist you in Becoming accepting of help from others.
Examine your beliefs about receiving
Allow yourself to be vulnerable
Feel the love
Be grateful
Don’t take away another’s blessing. Afford others an opportunity to give.
Then allow yourself the power to:
Pay it forward
Not only do we all experience the need for assistance along the way we are also granted the opportunity to be a blessing to be of service and to ourselves help another.
All acts of giving, have the potential to create an impact on all those around you and the world. Giving without strings, doing so freely from a loving heart not only makes you feel good but as motivational expert Tony Robbins shares,
“To truly feed your spirit, remember this: The secret to living is giving. No matter how busy or broke you may be, you have something to offer others. So many people miss the opportunity to know that their life makes a difference – but it does. Your life matters – and if you align yourself to be congruent with the truth that you’re here not just to “get” but to give, then other people will feel your authenticity and they will open up to you.
When you give back to other people and your community, it reminds you what you’re made for. Focusing on the needs of others has a way of motivating you to do more than you thought possible. You feel the benefits immediately. You become more productive. You find creative solutions to problems. You find strength when you’re exhausted. That’s because life supports that which improves the quality of life. When we contribute to our community, we become part of something that is bigger than ourselves.”
As you embrace the idea of giving and allow it to become a regular practice you should feel changes within, in your life and all around you.
Giving affords us the opportunities to grow, learn and Always Be Becoming. Here are some examples of the benefits of embracing a giving spirit:
- Giving Allows Happiness To Blossom
Not only will the recipient of your gift or actions feel happier, so will you.
A 2017 study found that those who chose to make generous choices had a greater increase in levels of happiness. The researchers reported, “Economics, psychology, biology and philosophy have attempted to elucidate possible motives of generous behaviour. Proposed motives, such as helping kin, reciprocation or reputation, have limited explanatory power for the pervasive propensity of humans to be generous in different settings. One further explanation for generous behaviour is its link to happiness. The warm glow experienced when acting for the benefit of others has been proposed as a mechanism that reinforces generous behaviour in humans.”
- Helping Others Is Healthy
The benefits of generosity extend beyond emotional benefits. Medical researchers have known for nearly a decade there is a direct connection between volunteering and improved physical health. A team at Carnegie Mellon University found that people who give their time to serve others are 40 percent less likely to develop high blood pressure.
- Generosity Is a Positive Pandemic
Giving is the gift that keeps on giving. Every act of selfless giving can potentially create a ripple widespread, prevalent outbreak of giving that can rapidly and unexpectedly become prevalent around the globe.l
- Giving Fosters Personal Growth
Gratitude can become the attitude for both the giver and the recipient. Giving keeps people more connected.Which leads to improved trust and cooperation between individuals and diverse groups.Generosity can teach. It may help you find or redefine your life’s purpose, calling or adding new meaning to your experience of living. Becoming a giver can cause you to become more compassionate, which when shared is an act of generosity in itself.
So far our conversation has focused on the benefits of giving and since they all seem to be something one would welcome, let’s now talk about ways in which we can give.
Give Your Time
Volunteering your time can be more valuable to the receiver and more satisfying for you than the gift of money. We all have time on our hands,which can be shared to help others.
Sharing Your Knowledge
We all have something we can teach. Everyday there are opportunities to help someone with some sage advice. Experience is a time tested lesson that needs to be shared.
Listen
Before you can truly help someone, you need to understand what they are in need of. Often in difficult times the person asking may not know or could be confused as to what it is that will actually help in their given circumstance. Listening becomes a great opportunity. Sometimes just being heard may be all the person needs.
Sharing Your Resources
Resources are more than money. It can be donating physical items or facilitating the assistance of a third person. It may be as simple as telling someone of a potential opportunity. Using your skills and talents in a variety of ways can not only be a great aid to someone, but you will find more fulfillment from your actions.
There are also some hidden benefits to giving. As the Scriptures teach God will bless whatever you put your hand to. Every time you give, you’re declaring something. And God will increase you so that you can continue being generous.
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. – 2 Corinthians 9:7
For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. – 2 Corinthians 8:12
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” – Malachi 3:10
You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. – 2 Corinthians 9:11
A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great. – Proverbs 18:16
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. – Luke 6:38
Using this guidance should help you in making your giving more effective. Not all charities are created equal. It is the giver’s responsibility to fully vette any organization you align yourself with.
Always follow the money. Make sure they are giving dollars, resources or time to the causes they claim to be. Make sure in doing so they are giving in good faith and being wise stewards.
Also find an issue that interests you or you can become passionate about. Treat your donation as seriously as you would in making a significant purpose. After all, giving either your time or money is an investment and you need to accept responsibility for managing it effectively and securing the best return possible.
That way you can ensure that all parties are doing all they can to truly be Becoming Today.
Becoming Today with Rochelle Jeanette 
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