Living is giving, and people love to give because it feels good. Giving is an act of selflessness and dedication to the greater good. Basically—giving makes people happy!

For many, giving has become not only a mission, but a family holiday tradition. Giving is a way to reconnect with our inner selves. By helping others, our perspective shifts and fills us with an abundant source of gratitude. Giving back is a wonderful practice that delivers joy to the giver—and benefit to the receiver. Giving back is a commitment I wish for my family to adopt and continue to pass down for generations to come.

Through the transformative gift of giving, we also learn how to receive. It is important to let others do things for you. Sometimes receiving can be awkward or uncomfortable. Some people have a much easier time giving than receiving. A dear friend taught me how to receive. When I would deflect a compliment, he would say “Excuse me, but in my country we say ‘thank you’ when complimented.” So, maybe it's as good a time as any to open up to receive.

Many people use organizations like The Giving Pledge (www.givingpledge.org) or The Giving Circle (givingcirclesfund.org)—a form of participatory philanthropy where groups of individuals donate their own money or time to a pooled fund and decide together where to donate to community projects. Giving circles can be small and informal, with a few people pooling their money and giving it to a chosen local charity or family in need; making charitable giving more rewarding and fun.

Jason Marsh and Jill Suttie of the Greater Good Science Center, believe, “When we give to others, we don’t only make them feel closer to us; we also feel closer to them.” Being generous and kind encourages us to perceive others in a more positive light and fosters a sense of community, a feeling of interconnectedness.

So, no matter if you have a lot or not very much; there is always someone who is more in need than you. Always try to give, even if it is just a little, especially this holiday season.

Share the love—start giving!
Eliana Barriga
eliana@retailobserver.com

It's that time of year again when the seasons have changed; warm sweaters, hats, and gloves have come out of storage. Final winter preparations are being wrapped up as the holidays are fast approaching. November is the month for me to check in on my "Attitude of Gratitude" meter. It's the time of year when the Debbie Downers and Gloomy Garths of the world verbalize their negativity more than usual, as the festivities of the holidays can trigger and throw them into a tailspin. That's where the practice of gratitude is a huge plus. It is the most important ingredient in life itself for health, happiness, and the success of our businesses.

Fact: gratitude is actually a learned behavior. It is something that we can be taught, practice, and get better at over time. In addition, gratitude boosts our self-esteem and strengthens our resiliency, giving us a mental advantage in dealing with stressful situations.

I personally use many ways to track and tune into what I am grateful for in my life. I have a jar that I fill all year long with notes of gratitude that I read and reflect upon on New Year's Eve. I also have a journal in which I write my "3 Gratitudes" every morning to start my day.

My personal favorite this time of year is the Gratitude Tree. I arrange twigs in a jar, and cut leaf shapes out of fall-colored paper. I then ask friends and family to write the things they are grateful for on the leaves, which they hang on the tree. Not only is it a beautiful fall display, but it’s wonderful to share in others’ rich, heartfelt thanks for the things and people that truly matter to them. These experiences make such a difference in our lives. The leaves from the Gratitude Tree can be read aloud at Thanksgiving dinner, too.

In this way, gratitude helps us keep our perspective on the many things we find hard to deal with in our crazy world today. So use every chance you get to become thankful and celebrate life with friends and family—not only this Thanksgiving but all year long.

Forever and always grateful,
Eliana Barriga
​eliana@retailobserver.com