I hope everyone had a great Turkey Day!
Thanksgiving marks the shopping and gift-giving season, and it can be a taxing time. I personally find gift-giving very stressful. The holidays can be stressful enough, but finding the right gift, hoping if it’s something they’ll like, wondering whether they’ll like it, etc., all of that turns something that should be fun into something that makes me want to pull my hair out.
Maybe you love giving gifts, or maybe you’re like me. Either way, it’s time to rethink gift-giving, and put more joy in your life!
First and foremost, it’s important to acknowledge that giving is a good thing.
Booker T. Washington once said: “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.”
Science is also on the side of giving.
In a 2017 study titled “A Neural Link Between Generosity and Happiness,” it was determined that there is a direct causal link between giving and happiness, with those who give more tending to be happier. Meanwhile, a 2008 study titled “Prosocial Spending and Happiness: Using Money to Benefit Others Pays Off” went even further, determining that spending money on others promotes happiness in the spender.
But what if those gifts took the form of small gestures and personal acts? According to the National Retail Federation, the average spend on holiday gifts this year will be around $998–that’s a sizable chunk of change!
Can you give an act of encouragement? What about kindness? There are so many small gestures and personal acts that would be better than a tangible gift. They might include:
- Helpful advice
- The gift of a positive attitude with your family and loved ones
- A random act of kindness to someone you do not know
- A friendly smile to someone going through their day
- Plan a special time with a dear friend or family member
This past weekend I was the beneficiary of kindness in Grand Central Terminal when I unknowingly dropped my wallet. A woman came running up to me and tapped me on the shoulder and handed it to me. I was so appreciative of this gesture.
There are so many small gestures that can be done to others that, though small, can have a deeper emotional impact.
‘Tis the season when life is all about gift-giving, but instead of it being stressful, turn it into joy! I hope your giving season is filled with joy and much happiness.
Keep living Bold!
P.S. PROJECT BOLD LIFE: The Proven Formula to Take on Challenges and Achieve Happiness and Success is a complete system for planning your life to get what you want, and has been a top seller in three categories: “Motivational Growth & Spirituality”, “Personal Success & Spirituality” and “Management Skills”. I hope you check it out if you have not purchased a copy.
P.S: I will be appearing on WCPT820 in Chicago at 7:00am CST on Saturday, December 4. I will be talking about gift-giving! Go to https://www.wcpt820.com to stream the show.
