Successful Giving
“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” –Kahlil Gibran
‘Tis the season for giving so I thought I’d share a success-oriented holiday gift-giving guide. These are some very powerful things that are free for you to give to others which you’ll find will give back to you in return many-fold.
One simple and amazing gift is a compliment or even just a smile. It’s sometimes hard to be friendly and encouraging during the holiday season; the stores are crowded, parking can be challenging and others are often rude in such situations. Sometimes a smile may serve as a friendly reminder that the world is not always so pushy and ill-tempered. A compliment to a clerk who is in the midst of the stress of surly holiday shoppers can help lift their mood and make the day a little bit easier. It also lets them know that you have noticed them and you appreciate them. Success tip number one: give the gift of a grin and some appreciation.
A similar gift is graciousness and gratefulness. There are often many opportunities for this during the holiday season. For example, when you attend holiday parties where the host or hostess has gone to a great deal of trouble to decorate and provide good food and drinks, let them know you noticed their efforts. If another driver leaving a store indicates where they’re parked so you can take their soon-to-be vacant spot, give them a cheerful wave. When a friend or relative has clearly thought hard about what sort of gift to give you, let them know that you’re warmed by their insight and thoughtfulness. Success tip number two: give others the gift of consideration and gratitude.
The gift of an open mind is another amazingly generous one. We seem to be built in such a way that the instant we meet someone else we start judging them based on their clothes, mannerisms, speech, hair, past behavior and a hundred other picayune things. To offer a truly splendid gift to someone whom you’re interacting with, pause for a minute and consider them deeply: their perspective and how you might feel if you were them. I guarantee that when you perform this exercise, you will gain new respect and understanding for them. Success tip number three: give the gift of an open mind to others.
A wonderful and rare gift is listening. This sounds really simple, doesn’t it? We all listen, right? However we often listen with an ear towards responding. In some cases, I have done such a poor job of listening that I don’t even let the person I’m talking to finish their sentence before responding. Nothing is more generous and inspiring than giving someone else the fullness of your attention and patiently listening to what they have to say. Pausing to weigh the completeness of their thoughts for a few seconds before responding is a doubly generous gift. Try it. I’ll bet they’ll tell other people what a great conversationalist you are. Success tip number four: give the gift of true listening to someone else.
Perhaps the most obvious is that of charity. Not everyone can afford a lavish Christmas and an extra hand is sometimes appreciated. Taking charity can be an embarrassing thing, so providing for others anonymously may be even more appreciated. I have rarely felt better about myself than when I have been able to give a hand to someone in need without recognition. It is such an elating feeling. Success tip number five: give the gift of being a silent benefactor to somebody in need.
The last gift is a very powerful gift, and one of the hardest for many to give. It is that of forgiveness. We are creatures of many moods, humors and actions and some of these are less than laudatory. Everyone makes mistakes and some are hard to accept when you’re on the receiving end of the mistake. Yet few things are more growth-oriented than being able to forgive a wrong. Releasing others from the bondage you have imposed upon them for doing you wrong will actually lighten your load far more than it will theirs. Success tip number six: for tremendous results, give the gift of forgiveness to another person who has wronged you. You may be astonished at how well it serves you.
Have a great month!
