RE: Steemit: Creating a culture of generosity!
I so agree. My parents, and especially my mom, always taught us to give to those less fortunate, but even more important, to simply be nice to those we meet on our path, and to go out of our way to smile in greeting, even when sometimes we might not feel like smiling.
She even made a game of getting people to smile back at her, especially when she saw someone who looked dour in traffic, and it almost always worked, even if they smiled a bit grudgingly at first.
When I was in my late teens, I read about a study that showed that, by the simple act of smiling, seratonin is immediately released in the brain, making us literally feel happier. I redoubled my efforts to smile at everyone whose paths I crossed, because I was benefiting us both by doing so.
Years later, a young man from my neighborhood came up and thanked me, because he said he had gone through a period of being terribly despondent. He said that one of the main things that gave him hope was that, every time we saw one another, I smiled at him. He said he had been contemplating suicide, and that I helped him to come back from the brink, even though we didn't know one another except by sight.
By giving to one another, in whatever form that may take, we are spreading our own hope and love in the world, and who knows what the ultimate effects may be?
I am convinced, from long experience, that it is absolutely worth it, every moment of every day.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment @crescendoofpeace :) It is wonderful that your mom found a fun way to teach you one of the most important skills in life and that it not only saved that young man's life but probably helped a lot of other people as well who may have never told you about it. I love how well you put it: "By giving to one another, in whatever form that may take, we are spreading our own hope and love in the world". I hope more people see this and learn from your story. xxx
Well, I already resteemed your post, so hopefully a few more will see it from that little bit of exposure. ;-)
Well thank you very much lovely lady :)
That's really kind of you xxx
I will come and visit your blog soon :)
You're welcome any time. ;-)
Hopefully you'll find something to your liking.