A topic that’s not often spoken about when it comes to mindset is giving, or the mindset of giving. In this post I am going to share my personal experience, but I am also going to share a bit about a project that is dear to me. The project that I am involved is Wings of Inspiration, it’s made up of a multiple of projects and at the time of posting this 8 to be exact. In the beginning of the year, I decided to host a monthly Bingo at the Elderly Care Centre and I am going to share some of my experiences…
The benefits of Giving
The obvious here it the benefit of giving is that you help other people. What I do want to mention is that giving comes in many different shapes. We tend to think that giving is only money-related and this is not true. There are many forms of giving, for instance, give some of your time, giving things that you do not use anymore. Even sharing something on social media because that is a form of giving. What I mean by this is often we underestimate that when we see a post like this for instance that we could do a simple thing like share it. We might not have the financial means to assist but sharing it someone else could see it that can financially assist. This is a form of giving.
Let’s be a little selfish here and focus on what we get out of giving.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Health benefits
Yes, that is correct, there are health benefits in giving. Studies have shown that when a person gives all kinds of endorphins get released. Some health benefits include:
- Stress relief
- Less anxiety
- Lower risk of depression
I can totally relate to this as I have said many times after I have hosted the Bingo at Wings that I feel I have received more from the situation than what I have given.
“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” – Oscar Wilde
Abundance mindset
It is exceedingly difficult to say you have an abundance mindset. But when asked to give you say you are not able. When you say you are not able to give what you are saying is that you do not have enough.
This is not coming from a place of abundance. I learned this lesson a few months back and I have now got into the habit of always giving, even if it is a little. If I am genuinely not able to, I then try and think of another way I am able to do so, and most times there is another way. The point here is I will give even a little because it still comes from a place then of “I have enough”.
Receiving back
By giving it always results in you receiving back. You don’t always get back in the same way, for instance giving money does not mean you always receive that back. As I mentioned before, whenever I give my time to host the monthly Bingo, I always walk out of there feeling I have received more than what I have given.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?” — Martin Luther King, Jr.
Contribution
I recently learnt that of the 6 human needs contribution is the highest. This explains why it feels good to give as this need is hard wired into us. Contribution is a lot of times the one that people reflect on later in life.
Contribution is a higher level of the need for significance and is the essence of life because the focus is not about me but it’s about us. You will often hear people like Tony Robbins talk about this, that life is bigger than just you!
We have a natural feeling that we all have a higher purpose and that our life has meaning. This meaning comes from giving.
“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.” — Helen Keller
As I mentioned in the beginning of this post, I want to share more information now on Wings of Inspiration Care Centre. This is a Non-Profit Company that operates in Roodepoort, Johannesburg, South Africa. This project was started by a family that had some hard times themselves, CLICK HERE for more information.
At the time of writing this post they have 8 projects operating:
- Abused Women and children Shelter in Krugersdorp
- Day Care Centre in Krugersdorp
- Elderly Care Centre in Randfontein
- Play School in Mpumalanga
- Soup Kitchen Krugersdorp
- Sober Home Roodepoort (Men and Women )
- Food Bank in Roodepoort
This really is an inspirational story to think that they only started a few years ago and have been able to grow the way they have. For more insight into their daily operations follow Wings on Facebook, CLICK HERE.
Every month I host a Bingo for the Elderly Car Centre, so this project is dear to my heart. At the time of this post they have 70 residents. Residents are provided with a safe and secure environment allowing them to move independently through the gardens with or without someone accompanying them. Wings includes 3 nutritious meals per day, fun activities, and access to television and WiFi. They also have security cameras on the premises.
Conclusion
I hope that the insight I have shared has been helpful. As I said before I have been contributing time to the Elderly Care Centre from the beginning of the year and I can honestly say that I have received so much from it. I procrastinated for years by saying things like “when I have more time, I will do something, when I have more money I will do something” but I am glad I decided this year to just do it. I have shared all of this with you not to get a pat on the back but purely to encourage and tell you that it really is worth it to give.
Another thing I want to emphasize is don’t underestimate the small amounts; you are still coming from an abundance mindset.
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