The Power of Giving

Sometimes the moment that changes your day isn’t something you receive — it’s something you give.

A Simple Dinner That Changed My Day

Let’s talk about the power of giving.

Have you ever experienced a time when life felt overwhelmingly challenging, and you couldn't find a way out of the depths of depression?

I went through such a moment a few months ago on a particularly tough day.

Starting off on the wrong foot.

A terrible workout.

A dragging afternoon.

A general sense of low energy.

To break the cycle, I decided to treat myself to a solo dinner, intentionally disconnecting from my phone and any specific purpose.

I simply wanted to be present.

While at the restaurant, an elderly couple nearby struck up a conversation with me.

Despite my less-than-ideal mood, I chose to be more interested than interesting, engaging with their discussion and asking questions.

One of which was:

“How long have you two been together?”

The older gentleman replied,

“40 years and she’s in such great shape cause she keeps chasing after me,”

and gave me a wink — which admittedly put a smile on my face.

She rolled her eyes and laughed and said he always says that.

After some more conversation, I finished my meal, and they were ready for dessert.

I waited until they placed their dessert order, then stood up to settle my bill.

I made sure to pick up their tab too.

When I told the waiter she hesitated, asking,

“Are you sure? It’s $180.”

I told her,

“Sure, please run it.”

She told me it was a very nice gesture and it seemed worth it to me, because the truth is — they made me smile on an otherwise crappy day.

As soon as I paid their bill, I also felt extremely happy.

I didn’t anticipate any gratitude or a simple thank-you from them.

Even without that expected reward, my heart was filled with happiness.

In fact, I believe it enhanced it.

The truth that no one will tell you is this…

Giving Is the Real Reset

When you help others, you get pretty great responses from them — gratitude, joy, happiness, excitement, love. The list goes on.

Yet, the greatest reward lies in sharing those emotions and experiences with others.

The most powerful way to shift your negative mood is to begin to have a new experience, and what better way than to show up for someone else.

I always look to give more than I receive and help where I can. It continues to create a positive cycle of feedback that ultimately sets me up to be in a space to give without hesitation.

This approach opens the door to receiving abundantly from life.

I hope this holiday season you learn the power of giving isn’t always in an item or a gift — more so in the presence, the emotion, support, and the time you can spare.

Happy holidays — now, go give more than you get.

Unlocking the Pleasure of Giving

When we give to others, it activates areas of the brain associated with pleasure, social connection, and trust — specifically oxytocin.

What sets oxytocin apart is its ability to sustain the feeling of reward for a longer period compared to the fleeting nature of a pure dopamine response.

This could explain why my happiness persisted for about a week after paying for their meal.

Recent scientific studies on brain functioning underscore humanity’s innate inclination toward love and compassion.

This suggests our pursuit of personal achievements should not overshadow creating a sense of community and mutual care.

Gifting something to someone with whom we share a close relationship activates key reward pathways in the brain.

Numerous studies demonstrate that spending money on others, rather than solely on ourselves, promotes lasting happiness.

Additional resources:https://www.apa.org/topics/mental-health/brain-gift-giving

Give Without Expectation

In a world often driven by transactions and quid pro quo, there is a profound principle that shows true generosity:

Give without expecting anything in return.

When you give with expectations, you are not truly giving.

This simple principle embodies the essence of genuine generosity and unlocks the true power of giving.

When we give with expectations — consciously or subconsciously — we unintentionally impact the purity of our generosity.

It transforms the act into a transaction, an exchange of favors rather than a selfless offering from the heart.

The true joy of giving lies not in what we receive in return, but in the act itself — the sheer delight of making a positive difference in someone else's life.

Closing Thoughts

As we delve into the holiday season, let's embrace the pleasure of giving.

May the simple acts of kindness you extend to others bring joy, warmth, and lasting happiness.

This season is not just about material gifts.It’s about the intangible presents — presence, emotion, support, and time.

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and fulfilling holiday season. May the coming year bring abundant happiness, prosperity, and countless opportunities for giving.