The joy of giving- A long-lost feeling?

A theory says that a selfless deed never exists. Strange, right? Well, that is said because even doing selfless deeds give you something—that is JOY!
Take a moment to go down your memory lane and think of the last thing you did for someone just out of love and selflessness. Did you acknowledge how good it feels to make someone happy? If not, it’s time we start acknowledging these small things and experience how beautiful it is to be generous, to spread unconditional love and care for those who need it and (also) for those who never say it enough but need it too. There’s an unexplainable joy in giving or doing something in your own capacity for the people around you.
The beauty of being a giver is that you ‘give’ unconditionally and with no expectations to be treated the same way. You know it is a one-way street. It took a pandemic for the world to realize the value of giving, being there selflessly for someone and the importance of togetherness. But humans have a volatile memory. We often need to be reminded of these qualities that take us a long way in life. 

The more you give, the more you receive!

Such an antithesis, isn’t it? But by receiving, we mean the greater feeling of happiness. It is true for all. When we say ‘giving,’ we don’t just mean monetary help; It is above and beyond! Giving might also refer to giving unconditional love, care, help (big or small), support, time and being compassionate. Every culture preaches about the importance of the ‘quality of giving without any expectation.’ Some might refer it to as ‘karma.’ But why even think of ‘karma’ today, when your takeaway in helping, supporting, and caring for someone is the instant happiness you get as a receipt of your selflessness?
When you feed a stray dog, help a stranger in finding the right route, water a tree or plant, help a needy in whatever way you can, or help an oldie cross the road-- you get a good feeling! You don’t have any expectations from anyone of these. This way, you spread the joy around you and in return, you feel happy! With your selfless acts, you send out a message to the people that there is still more goodness in the world than they think!

Letting go of the ‘doer-ship’

Selflessness and doer-ship together cannot exist. If you get a feeling of ‘doer-ship’ when you simply help someone, it’s time to graduate from this mindset. Even on the spiritual path, you first need to let go of the doer-ship to see the real side of spirituality. When you are selfless, and help or support others selflessly, then only joy would find your way. This doesn’t mean putting down your needs to help others but being there in whatever way you can for anyone who calls for help.
If you happen to expect the same help from the person, you will never find joy in the ‘giving.’ Eventually, you will end up feeling exhausted. Hence, do what you can in your own capacity, BUT without having any expectations and that will lead you to immense joy!

Sharing is caring

If you can’t give, share! Since our childhood, we have been taught that ‘sharing is caring.’ We could hardly understand the real meaning of it until we became adults. When someone offers genuine care, concern, love, and support, we feel so secure. That someone is THERE-THERE for us; The joy of being there for someone is very similar to the joy of giving. As humans, we always reciprocate these feelings. Because being there for someone who needs it the most feels right. Hence, share your joys, your sorrows, your achievements, and your failures with the ones you trust the most!
Acknowledge the good in people and respond to it, because it is sheer ‘give and take’ of morals. Sharing and caring without expectations is a quality that we all need to possess. Not just for the society but for humanity indeed. 

‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’

‘The world is one family’ and nature has its way to remind us of this great phrase from the Maha Upanishads. The concept is broader than we can think. Giving back to Mother Nature, helping society, spreading goodness, and serving humanity all come under one umbrella. This resonates so well with the joy of giving to the world as a whole!
We could closely experience the true meaning of this phrase during the Corona Virus pandemic. It reminded us to stay close as ‘One Family’ while isolating ourselves. People did massive donations and charities for the needy during the pandemic and we could see that greatness exists even today. Everyone stood together (not literally) to fight the Corona Virus Pandemic. We saw doctors putting themselves at risk for humans, strangers helping strangers, people going beyond their capacities to support each other’s families and offering care, feeding the poor and the animals. It was so much to learn for everyone. But we must learn that we do not need to go through a pandemic to realize the importance of giving.

The world needs more people who believe in being kind, giving and generous.
The world needs more people who acknowledge the good in others.
The world needs more people who feel joy in giving and being generous to others.
The world needs YOU.