The more you give, the more you receive.
When we give stuff away, we make the world a better place.
Generous people feel better about themselves. They report a greater sense of life satisfaction and happiness. They build stronger relationships with others. Studies have even linked generosity to improved physical health.
Giving also benefits the receiver. We improve their lives. We fight to overturn injustice. We offer an example to the world of a better way to live. And spur others to do the same.
But maybe the greatest benefit of generosity is the realization that we already have enough.
Our society is held hostage by the pursuit of more. No matter how much we have, we always seem to need more—more stuff and more money.
We choose our careers for the sake of securing more. We spend the best hours of our day trying to obtain more. We get jealous when “less-deserving” people seem to have more. And we constantly worry about having enough.
But this constant desire for more is having damaging effects on our society. 71% of us report feeling stress about money. There are some who experience this anxiety because of legitimate financial need, but for most of us, this stress is misplaced. In a world where 6 billion people live on less than $13,000/year, most of our financial-related stress occurs because of artificially-manufactured need.
Generosity changes these thoughts and helps to remove this pursuit. It reveals to us how blessed we already are. It reminds us we already own more than we need. It shows us how much we have to give and how much good we can accomplish. It helps us see the needs of those we live alongside. And it offers a better alternative for our money than spending it on ourselves.
Generosity counters materialism and consumerism in our lives. It reminds us that we already have enough. It wars against greed and selfish pursuits. It aligns our life with higher purposes. And offers a better way to live.
Give more things away. Your life will feel lighter. Your heart will feel warmer. And the world will be better. (tweet that)
Make a financial donation to a charity you support. Donate clothing you don’t wear, sporting equipment you don’t use, books you have read, or furniture taking up space. Be generous with your time by volunteering at your local school, homeless shelter, or nonprofit of your choice.
Just give something away this week. And be reminded that you already have more than you need.
Really, *really* appreciate this. We never, ever have garage or moving sales – we regularly pass on or donate our excess. We try very hard to have at least two charities on a monthly donation rotation, plus make lump donations to others a few times a year. Yet I still “worry” about money like any other average person. We have no debt to speak of, so I’m not sure where it comes from. I think the more you share, the less you worry, so I need to make it a priority in my life!
So many things are leaving my house. Boxes are filling up kitchen on way to car to charity. Cleaned three closets. More to be packed up later today.
I’m new to following your blog so perhaps you have already written about the Buy Nothing Project (http://buynothingproject.org/about/mission-and-principles/). It very much aligns with your thoughts on this article, in that it facilitates giving and receiving, sharing and building community at a “hyper-local” level. Buy Nothing groups form within communities and people give away (no selling allowed) items they no longer need to people who are seeking those items. It is truly heartwarming to see the generous giving, deep gratitude and community of friends that has come up through this group.
There is truly no substitution for the “high” that you feel when you do something that is for the benefit of someone else. Try it, then try to replicate the feeling with ANYTHING…I mean ANYTHING. It cannot be done. Joy takes all forms, but to arrive in the joy of generosity…….there is only one path.
We retired when I was 53 and husband was 55. We were offered 40% of our pay as a pension. Since we had finished putting our children through college, they helped with scholarships, work study, etc. we took the deal. We each took part time jobs for about 10 years and now we are completely retired. You don’t need much money if you live simply and plan. We don’t have or need many clothes, take public transportation, and use the library and volunteer a lot. Since we had never lived on all our income and about 1/2 went to either savings or college expenses we’re still putting money away. We never made $100,000 even combined. Don’t be afraid to retire. Minimalism makes a lot of things easier.
I know this is an old post, but I just read it. Thank you so much for this story – you are living the plan we have made for ourselves, still a few years away for us. I’m so glad to hear how well it works! Just how we imagine it to be.
Hi Tina,
It’s the day after Thanksgiving and also the day of mindless buying for the holidays. For me, it’s a day of contemplation. I saved the link to Becoming Minimalist and read that you retired early with less than half of your pay and seem not to miss much. I will retire with less than half of my pay and it’s scary. I wish I have your courage.
It is a timely reminder for us as we pack up our house for storage we are getting rid of, passing on and donating much stuff long overdue and it feels good.
This is great! I too, sadly, am a cynic. I strongly believe in giving, but struggle with my tendency toward “selective giving.” Giving to groups I like. Groups that express gratitude. Groups of people that think like me. And have my values. But I am learning about not judging those who receive. Not easy, but necessary. So I have to learn that maybe I haven’t been able to see into “their” lives well enough to judge them, and never will. Trying not to be an “enabler” I am guided, when I am listening, by the Spirit (insert your “higher power” or motivating reason to give here.) it’s not a Christian thing ( or Buddist, or AA or Muslim, or Hindu or Humanist or any “0ther” selective thing) it’s a universal thing. An all encompassing thing. Your mileage may vary. :-)
I needed this today……I have so many children’s clothing that the kids have outgrown and I keep saving them to sell in a future consignment sale or try to sell on Ebay……it is simply taking up space in my life because I am busy to sell it. On Monday I donated an entire bin to Goodwill and it felt great. I plan to do the same next week. I absolutely love your blog and Facebook page. I find your daily quotes very inspirational and I thank you!
Good for you. I was so ticked off last time I went to a children’s consignment shop, a national or regional chain, I thought I’d rather donate these. Dropped them off. Women’s shelters usually take stuff.
Realizing material things did not make us happy, my husband and I recently sold our dream home and moved. During the process, we gave away home furniture, yard furniture, appliances, dishes, tools, etc. It was very liberating.
More and more leaving the house every week. Took four boxes to local charity. Two boxes to extra dishes to work for silent auction. Have already set aside things for my son to go thru and Gave my oldest books for her classroom.
These are truly some of the wondrous benefits of generosity. Here’s another one that comes to my mind. We have to let go of all our material possessions. Letting go of them now softens our attachment and helps us be ready for the big letting go.
“We have to let go of all our material possessions. Letting go of them now softens our attachment and helps us be ready for the big letting go.”
This is so profound… Thank you for sharing. Somehow it was just what I needed to hear.
I love your comment. Perfectly stated!