The Art of Giving

Hello, everyone…. it’s been a long week! Weekend is here and it’s time everyone takes a chill pill. The good news is I’m going to keep it short and not bore you with a long essay.

I would just require you to focus on this very tiny detail which is steadfastly becoming a rare phenomenon, that is, the ART OF GIVING.

A fine attribute yet a rarity, it’s something that relates to the definition of economics given by Lionel Robbins:

“The science which studies human behaviour as a relationship between ends and scarce means which have alternative uses”

Here, ‘ends’ means our never ending wants and ‘scarce means’ refer to ‘scarce resources’. We all have our own set of needs and are blessed that we needn’t undergo financial woes to satisfy them. But, the query is, “Are we all blessed to satisfy all our wants?” The answer is a plain no. There are some underprivileged sections who undergo daily stress just to make ends meet. To make a wish and fulfil them is not everyone’s cup of tea. We go on extravaganza shopping spree or relish on some expensive foods, it makes us happy. But, imagine the scale of happiness when you buy a burger for a destitute child or lend money to your peon for his child’s education?

In this fast-paced world, we are always discontent with the things we own, and desire for more. But, for one minute introspect yourself and realize how blessed you are that you do not have to defecate in the open. Ring a bell? Being a philanthropist is a subjective choice, but being kind is a human virtue.

We have all forgotten this proverb we studied in school, “Charity begins at home.” If you are a student, begin with sacrificing your pocket money to buy some small gifts for your parents or at least keep a dialogue with them instead of always being buried in your phones. The mental happiness that they will cherish is something that all your comments and likes on Facebook will never give. The confidence, mental peace and satisfaction that you would achieve through this humble exercise will be an absolute stressbuster and encourage you to do more, often.

Want a tip? Suppose you are in a shopping mood and would like to shell out loads of money on a home theatre, think twice and buy a less expensive one. Save those extra bucks to do go to someone. You yourself can be a social worker and needn’t be a part of an NGO to do good. PS: You have savings too.

Remember, we all have one earthly life and “living to the fullest” is everyone’s desire. That very desire doesn’t fall short, if you sacrifice some of your wishes or cravings for others. I am hungry, it’s my money, I don’t care – maybe you don’t, but we do; as we have been repeatedly manufacturing selfish humans ready to pounce on each other, no matter what the odds. Take a pause, mediate, and act as if you are helping your very own. Sacrificing, lending or giving out voluntarily without selfishness will make you receive threefold of what you have given.

In the end, all that I ask of you is to have an upright heart buried deep within all those expensive clothes and fascinations.

As Winston Churchill has rightly put it,

“We make a living by what we get.

  We make a life by what we give.”

– The Change Maker