spread the joy

Christmas is around the corner and of course, as a ritual, it's time for gifts and holly and mistletoe. It's time for cheer and happiness to fill the air. It's that one day in a year where little children along with their families, stay up till' midnight just to see what Santa has got them. Where slay bells and reindeers are hoped to be seen.

And most importantly, it's a time when giving to others seem so much more meaningful rather than just splurging it all on ourselves.

Two Sundays ago, a former FGAKL member arrived back from Melbourne to give a talk about the true meaning of Giving. Surprisingly enough, I was all ears throughout the entire sermon.

 

Don't say you want to give. Just give...
- Goethe.

She shared about an experiment that was done many months/years ago. A psychiatrist or a counselor carried out an experiment to prove whether the happiness when giving to others or giving to one's self lasts the longest. One was given a task to buy something for their loved ones or friends and the other was give a task to buy something for herself - as a treat, in a way. By the end of each task, he asked them how they felt. Both had the same answers, "I feel happy". Then he continued with another question, "How long did the happiness last?". The one who gave to herself said, "Only for a short while" but the other answered, "I still feel happy".
It was proven that the feeling of happiness that lasts the longest was the one when giving to others was the task.

And by this simple shared sermon, I was changed. I admit to being a very selfish girl. I always wanted everything and the word, "sharing" was never apart of my dictionary. I wanted everything under the sun - attention, lots and lots of stuff, to be loved... etc etc. Thankfully, I'm beginning to see the bigger picture of what Giving is all about.

Since Christmas is around the corner, my weeks have been filled with endless Christmas Shopping. Another ritual, so to speak. This time though, it wasn't only for myself but for my loved ones and friends too. Most of my shopping sprees have been spent on buying gifts for others instead of myself. And since I've changed, I'm not burning with the urge to buy more stuff for myself.

Instead, I'm content and wholehearted now.

To me, giving is about sharing all the riches we have with the others who aren't as fortunate as us.