Why Giving Feels So Good; It is Good to be Good!
Mr Green was standing in front of his house, and in his usual manner was taking random pictures of the street with passerby staring at him as if he was mad. This question of his sanity is what Mr Green had often wondered too if it may be true something is wrong with him.
In the midst of taking pictures, he noticed a woman scavenging through a dump site looking for empty plastic containers to pick and fill her woven sack. Each filled sack would fetch her about $2 at the plastic recycling collection point. Mr Green forgot about his picture-taking and watched her for a second. It was Christmas; passersby were all dressed to the nines in their Christmas clothes going to church and some to just hangout and have fun.
This lady is scavenging through a dump site with no gloves, wearing only a bathroom slippers. These dumpsites may have some sharp object, but she just wants to earn a living. Mr Green brought out his wallet and emptied it of its contents and surreptitiously hands it over to the lady. The lady was surprised at this strange behaviour but thanked him quietly.
Mr Green continued his picture taking and soon decided to visit the mall. At the mall, the security accosted him and told him that cameras are not allowed inside. That was strange, but he reluctantly gave up his camera. He walked around the mall but did not buy anything. Many are enjoying this Christmas day with different drinks and dishes. The atmosphere was of thrill and fun. After wandering about a bit, he left without buying anything.
As he was moving along the street, he noticed some fresh bananas that one could not just say no to. He stopped and asked the vendor how much it goes for. The lady told him in between trying to make a baby of about a year or so stop crying. It was a familiar sight; seeing young mothers selling on the street. Mr Green paid and had a substantial balance to collect which he left with the lady. Her face lit up as she thanked him.
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Mr Green is not a saint, neither is he a millionaire.
But Mr Green gets a thrill from giving. In his defence, I can say Mr Green is a selfish person as he receives a rush each time he gives which far more surpasses whatever benefit which the recipient got from the gift.
Scientists have a name for that rush; it is called a "helper's high."
Over the past decades, the scientist has researched the health benefits of such a selfless act of giving without expecting anything in return. But the study in 2005 showed that people who give, experience greater benefits than the recipients of the support! This result was published in the article Altruism Relates to Health in an Ethnically Diverse Sample of Older Adults.
This study showed this was as a result of what happens when we give. The brain releases serotonin, dopamine plus a host of other happy hormones that make you feel so irie, tingly and warm :)
Since no person boasts of being 100% selfless, unless of course, you are an AI Robot, the brain is hardwired to make us act more like Santa than the miserly Scrooge.
This is further explained by neuroscientist whose research had revealed the way the brain contains some mirror neurons.
These neurons "mirror" people's feeling without having to experience that the person is feeling.For instance, if someone is experiencing grief, we do not "think" about this feeling but rather experience it.
The mirror effect of the brain plays a significant role in giving.
According to the neuroscientist Leornado Christov-Moore
the most generous subjects showed heightened brain activity in regions linked to recognizing pain and emotion, and to mirroring others' behavior
"It’s almost like these areas of the brain behave according to a neural Golden Rule. The more we tend to vicariously experience the states of others, the more we appear to be inclined to treat them as we would ourselves." Source
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In other words, to improve your generosity and get this right high, which by the way, a study has shown to give stronger hearts and more longevity to seniors who have helped others be more empathetic towards others.
Happy Boxing Day people and let us get "high" giving out all those gifts :)
References:
Some people still don't understand the power of giving. It's a natural phenomenon in its rewarding effect. Look at it this way, the only reason you received is because you've given either in money, words or physical support.
I'm always delighted to help, especially when I help those who can not afford to pay back.
Giving is awesome and opens door for more to flow into your needs.
While at the orphanage home yesterday to celebrate with the children, I told the other guests who joined in the mix of the little Christmas party I put up for the kids that "I can never go hungry not because I'm rich in physical cash but because nature is indebted to me"
what do I mean by... Nature is indebted to me?
Nature is indebted to me because:
When you understand the spiritual effect of giving, you won't let any needy pass you by.
Interesting story and Happy boxing day!
Thanks a lot for this awesome comment. Have a wonderful holiday too.
A bigger thanks to you and hope your enjoying the season?
Yes. Thanks a lot.
Thank you very much.
WOW @greenrun you are at it again and imust say i missed your post and creative write ups.
I had a similar experience this afternoon at my work place, when i say few hausa speaking kids wondering the streets and i had to buy snacks for them to eat, while sharing i noticed lots of persons stopped to look at what i was doing, where i was doing it, and to whom i was doing it for. one thing i realised was the "in giving people are shocked and dont expect it therefore they look perplexed when they see u doing that." #givingisliving.
Great work of creativity and insight @greenrun.
I had that tingly feeling once... When a woman approached me asking for help, to buy drugs for one of her children, who was very sick, that she need N500,i don't know when i hurriedly gave her the only money that was on me.
It was that feeling that i was yearning for. That feeling that i know i will save a life somewhere that didn't even know me.
One thing i know, GIVERS never lack, because i received more than enough before that day was over.
Let's make giving our lifestyles, not only in churches, or during Christmas period, but always
Thanks for sharing @greenrun
It is surely good to be good.
Sometime I wish I have just enough to give out, but then, I forget that we don't need to have just enough before we think of giving to others... The last time I gave reasonably, I smiled to sleep for absolutely no reason...
Thats the spirit of giving. you will need no reason to feel at peace.
yeah :)
Nice one @greenrun... it is just unfortunate that givers are rare
I agree that they are rare indeed.
Mr. Green is not alone, I do get those highs. Why must scientist classify every human emotion.
Thanks a lot
Brilliant motivation, brother. Keep it up.
Thank you.
Sometimes when I read your post, I feel like you write from another realm.
I'm awestruck
I totally agree with you.
Thanks for the compliment. I hope you are good.
I'm great. Hope you are too
giving ,helping and in general kindness is the key to everything. it's really so easy for someone to do it with many benefits for both sides and yet only a few follow these rules, ethics, steps or whatever else you may say it!
I appreciate your reply. Thanks a lot.