The Power of Giving

We live in a self-serving world.

People look after their own interests before the needs of others.

Nothing fundamentally wrong in that, is there? It's the way it's always been.

"I'm alright, Jack, pull up the ladder."

Of course, there are notable flickers of togetherness throughout the generations, mainly during or, as a result of, difficulty and hardship. Conflict, rather ironically, is enshrouded in a community spirit to restore harmony, supporting each other to transcend the tragedy and build a brighter future.

Natural disasters connect communities, as do, we can all relate, pandemics.

But only for a while. Because always between the self-indulged/support bookends, there's a malaise in the middle.

Why aren't we thinking of others more?

If you knew what I know about about the power of giving, you would not let a single meal pass without sharing in some way. Buddha

In his book, things that matter, Joshua Becker suggests that "serving ourselves comes naturally for most of us - it always has. But when we try to satisfy our desire for happiness in the pursuit of self, we fall short of the truest, most lasting forms of happiness. The pursuit of selfish desires may offer some pleasure in the short run, but in the long term, the happiness is never lasting. Misplaced, the pursuit of happiness can become the distraction that keeps us from more meaningful pursuits."

Becker's stance is that happiness can't be pursued. It must ensue. Instead we should pursue purpose - and allow happiness to come to us.

Helping others reduces self-centeredness, promotes good health, reduces fears, enables us to make good use of our potential, and helps us find meaning, fulfilment, and purpose. Or as social activist Cornel West put it: "A rich life consists fundamentally of serving others, trying to leave the world a little better than you found it."

An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity. Martin Luther King Jr

We, not Me

Mindset coach and leadership mentor Steve Sallis talks about the principle of 'We, not Me', underpinning the notion that personal and team development is accentuated when we light up others. Dropping the self-serve encourages collaboration, garners respect, and fosters powerful relationships that endure. Too few leaders understand the magic manifested from thinking in this way.

You see, giving is more than donating to charity (although this is of course a worthy pursuit) - it's about putting others front and centre of our minds, or even our worlds.

And then happiness will find you.

#leadership #mindset #changethegame