In the season of generosity, the act of giving can fill us up with warmth. You know the feeling: that glow of connection to those around us that lights up a winter night. Below is a collection of quotes to keep close, to remind you of the joy of giving to others, and how important it is to take care of each other all year ’round.
“Always give without remembering and always receive without forgetting.” – Brian Tracy
“If nature has made you for a giver, your hands are born open and so is your heart; and though there may be times when your hands are empty, your heart is always full…” – Frances Hodgson Burnett
“As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way.” – Mary Anne Radmacher
“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.” – Maya Angelou
“Only by giving are you able to receive more than you already have.” Jim Rohn
“There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.” – Khalil Gibran
“Act of giving something to others is an art of flowering your heart.” – Vinayak
“We must give more in order to get more. It is the generous giving of ourselves that produces the generous harvest.” – Orison Swett Marden
“Everyone can experience the joy and blessing of generosity; because everyone has something to give.” – Jan Grace
“It seemed to me that the people who were genuinely thriving in their lives were the ones who had made room for well-being, wisdom, wonder, and giving.” – Arianna Huffington
“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” – Lao Tzu
No matter what form your generosity takes, it adds something to the world. Whether it makes someone’s day, smooths their path, or just makes them smile, you’ve given something of yourself that is greater than anything it could have cost.
Just a few ideas, to get those smiles going:
A gift of company—stop by to chat (or Zoom) with someone you know is alone.
Put together a care package—a few snacks, something for comfort, and something for a laugh can make a huge difference to someone going through a rough time.
Give your time—offer to take a particular task off of someone’s hands, when you know they’re overwhelmed.
Often, it’s the little things—something small that the receiver particularly wants but hasn’t ever been given before, something they didn’t realize they even needed, or something they didn’t expect—that make the biggest difference. A gift’s value isn’t determined by its size or expense; the true value and joy of a gift is how it makes the recipient feel cared for.
What are some of the most thoughtful or surprising gifts you have been given by others? Can you think of a time when a gift you gave to someone else filled you with the joy of giving? Share with us in the comments.
Image by Meghna R / Unsplash