In this digital, socially-networked age, giving has become remarkably easy and convenient. Just click, and we’ve made a contribution we can feel good about.
There are plenty of other easy (and fun) ways to feel good about giving, too – from participating in raffles and golf tournaments to running a 5K or selling bracelets made by women in developing countries. Thanks to this, the spirit of giving and giving back has become an integral part of life here in the U.S. and in other lucky parts of the world. In fact, “giving” and “giving back” are now buzzwords we toss around regularly.
It’s uplifting that so many of us are on board to give. Yet, could the sheer simplicity of the process potentially create a chasm of oblivion between our generosity and the reasons why giving is necessary in the first place? After all, the world we live in is steeped in tragic poverty. Buying a raffle ticket might ultimately contribute to the cause, but does it move those of us who purchased it any closer to understanding the discomfort of those we seek to help?
Understanding is an important part of actually making the world a better place. For only through understanding discomfort, by experiencing it ourselves, can we fully engage in the process of fomenting change. Fully engaging makes all the difference between truly giving and merely going through the motions.
Enter selfless giving. This conscious, intentional approach to giving allows us to do things for others and our community that not only help and make a contribution, but also force us to push the boundaries of our comfort zone – thus experiencing a twinge of discomfort ourselves.
For example, in donating clothing, many of us are likely to sort through our closets and pick from a pile of old, discarded, worn-out garments that have no meaning to us anymore. Giving these garments away requires as little thought and as little emotion as dumping them in the trash. So have we truly been intentional and engaged in the process, or was it simply a convenience to our self?
Read more HERE.
Source: http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/selfless-giving-why-we-need-it/