There is no exercise better for your heart and mind than reaching down and lifting people up.
Generosity makes our world happier and healthier. Every act of giving directly improves the lives of both the receiver and the giver. Yet, despite the incredible benefits, generosity is still far too rare in our world today.
Instead, our society craves and pursues more at every turn – more money, more possessions, more power, and so forth. We seek enjoyment by directing the majority of our energy and resources toward our own pursuits: possessions, accumulation, comfort, and luxury. Meanwhile, incredible opportunities for generosity surround us in every moment of every day.
We have to stop missing these opportunities!
In order to reorient our thinking in a consumer-driven world and begin taking greater advantage of the abundant benefits of generosity, we need to shift our mindset and our worldview.
Consider these nine life-changing ways generous people view the world, and how these realizations can spark more generosity in your life too:
1. They know there are enough resources to give back and share.
The mindset of competition and hoarding—that my resources only grow when someone else’s shrinks—is based on a faulty premise. It assumes there is a finite sized pool and if someone else enjoys success, my opportunity shrinks. But quite honestly, this thinking is nonsense. The pool of physical, emotional, and financial resources in the world is not finite. It continues to grow as society benefits from others’ success.
2. They see their daily generosity lead to greater happiness and fulfillment.
Studies confirm what generous people have learned and experienced firsthand: Giving increases happiness, pleasure and purpose in the life of the giver. As social creatures, we were not designed to be beings of greed and selfishness. Instead, we were designed to seek and discover happiness in loving and caring for other people. And those of us who decide to look for fulfillment in giving, quickly discover plenty of it.
3. They find great success in helping others succeed greatly.
The easiest path to finding success in our lives is to help someone else find success first. After all, our contribution to this world must be measured by something more significant than the size of our ego and the pile of possessions we’ve amassed. Our lives develop their greatest significance based on how we choose to live daily—and how well we enable others to live in the process.
4. They believe in changing the world, one person at a time.
Generous people are honest and quick to admit that all world’s problems cannot be solved by one person—and perhaps, never perfectly solved by any number of people. But the lack of perfection does not slow them down. To them, changing even one life within their circle of influence is a success, and a worthwhile endeavor to be pursued.
5. They trust people.
Generosity always requires some level of trust. To invest time, money and other resources into another human being, we must believe, on some level, that they will take what we give and use it wisely. Generous people are trusting and hopeful. And trusting, hopeful people are happy people because they choose to live in a world where a positive belief in others is liberally employed and frequently realized.
6. They have bigger dreams for their money.
Our financial wealth is only as valuable as what we choose to spend it on. Generous people use their wealth to put smiles on other people’s faces and bring big dreams into reality. When managed properly, our money can be used to improve the quality of life for the people around us. It can be used to make our communities safer, more educated, and more responsible. Indeed, generous people dream bigger dreams for their money… and I challenge you to dream bigger too.
7. They are willing to give more than their money.
We have so much more to offer this world than just money alone. For example, we have time, talents, experiences, and life lessons learned. When we give people things beyond our money and begin to invest our lives into the betterment of others, magic happens. Of course, this step can be more difficult than just tossing some change into a collection bin. But oftentimes, it is more desperately needed.
8. They live every day with conscious awareness of the fact that life is short.
We only get one shot at this life. We all know it, but we fail to live accordingly. Our actions don’t backup our intention to make our one shot at life count. Those who fully embrace this reality, however, learn to pack lots of extra life into every one of their fleeting years. They recognize we have but a short time to leave our imprint on this world. And they cheerfully give what they have to accomplish it.
9. They are happy to live a simpler, more meaningful life with less.
By definition, true generosity requires some level of inner happiness that’s detached from outer possessions. It recognizes the reality that giving our personal resources to another person means we have less for ourselves. In this way, inner happiness forms the foundation for generosity. But in response, surprisingly enough, generosity also becomes the fuel for greater contentment and meaning.
Our world is desperately seeking joyful and generous givers. They improve the reality of our society as we know it. They push us forward. They motivate us to follow in their footsteps. And their view of the world is one I desire to further grow in my own life.
Recently, in an attempt to spark greater generosity in my life and others, I started a non-profit organization called The Hope Effect. Our goal is to change orphan care in developing countries by implementing solutions that better mimic the family unit. Many people believe the orphan crisis around the world is being properly addressed… but it is not.
To encourage you to get involved with solving the problem, we use 100% of donations directly for orphan care. And we make getting involved simple: you can create a Fundraising Page in only minutes or you can join our $10 Team by donating as little as $10/month.
We can make a difference, together. I hope you will join me.
Author Bio: Joshua Becker inspires people to consider the practical benefits of owning less and living more on his blog, Becoming Minimalist, and he is also the founder of The Hope Effect.
Ellie says
Beautiful post. My mother always used to say, “Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need.” I do my best to live by these words every day.
Napoleon Nalcot says
Your grandmother is quoting something from Khalil Gibran’s take on generosity. As a father to a three-year-old son, I would give my life for him or to give him the last biscuit on the plate. But generosity is doing something more than that which is to make it apply to the extended family and to my neighbor, my village and beyond.
Marc Chernoff says
I love that quote, Ellie! Thank you for sharing it.
Also, I agree with Napoleon’s sentiment too. Generosity is a way of living that allows us to make a small, positive difference in many people’s lives, near and far.
Kyle Marin says
This post reminded me of one of my favorite quotes:
“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”
I’ve slacked off on giving back recently, but I appreciate the guidance here. I am inspired by your thoughts on generosity and your efforts helping helpless orphans.
Tina says
Yes! It is in giving that we receive.
Thank you for spreading this important message. Marc and Angel, your emails and blog never fail to move me in the right direction.
Damien Thomas says
Another great article guys. I love all of your work. You both are so generous sharing your passion with everyone. Thank you.
Marc Chernoff says
Thank you for the kindness and support, Damien.
Katie says
Thanks for the encouragement to keep on giving and stretching in this area. Our household took the challenge this year to match all of our taxes with our financial giving. That includes all sales tax. What an eye opener to log that category! It’s been good to see it clearly. We appreciate Joshua Becker’s perspective. Thank you for the encouraging focus. You can never out give all you’ve been given….no matter your status in life.
Marc Chernoff says
Katie, thank you for being YOU. Angel and I have followed a similar method of donating to both domestic and international charities each year.
Stan says
I know I need to get past this, and I’ve tried to somehow justify the receivers actions, but I’ve held back on giving to individuals because I notice often they take the donation gratefully, use the money for frivolous reasons, then ask for more. This makes me feel that not only is it not helping them, but I am being taken advantage of. I thought if I offered services instead of money it would be better. Oddly, this resulted in gratefulness eventually turning into a demand for the services. I only give to the Goodwill, Salvation Army and my church now. If you can offer any advice to put myself on the right track to generousity, I’d really appreciate it.
Shirley Petersen says
As a former landlady, I have no sympathy for able bodied adults who are on welfare or making use of food banks etc. The only charities I will contribute to are Wounded Warriors and The Shriners Hospital. As a former owner of rental property, I watched people milk the system and destroy our property. Our citizens are far too generous to able bodied people. At age 80, I now feel that I was a sucker for too many years. I feel much better now that I have limited my donations to obviously beneficial organizations. In other words, you are already on the right tract. Don’t change a thing!
Nancy says
Well said and worthwhile! However, I’m always dismayed at the efforts at fundraising that look to solve problems overseas. When so many of our own children go to bed hungry every night, it’s hard for me to justify supporting overseas efforts. Until everyone in our own sphere is fed and clothed, housed and happy, I won’t feel at ease. I guess that means I need to start my own org, huh? 🙂
Justice Edwin says
All that’s needed to change this world, to make it a better place, is nothing but love. Generosity is showing the propelling passion that drives your inner man/woman. No human can out-give his all before his death, you haven’t fulfill a day without putting smile in peoples face. Investing in people’s lives is a networking business that stands the test of time.”NEW DECISION TO BE MADE.”
Marko Zupanic says
another wonderful post… you are so amazing 😉 I put your link in one of my posts if you want out check it out.
Aditi says
Thank you Joshua! It was indeed an valuable effort to guide people on to the way of generosity. I think this quote sums it all – “The most generous of people, is the one who give to those from whom he has no hope of return.”
And definitely in order to make your life more meaningful ,you should follow it after all “giving is living”.