​THE GIVING SEASON

By Eliana Barriga
Publisher and Managing Editor for The Retail Observer

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Eliana Barriga

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
[email protected]

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