One of the motivating factors for many people getting out of debt is that they want to give more. I know it was for Blake and I. We were paying $2,000 every month towards debt, getting rid of it fast as possible. What freedom to now give when needs arise in our community, to give more than we could when we carried the burden of debt.
You see, it was never just about no debt. It was more about the possibilities after that. After five years without consumer debt, I can say it’s 100% worth the hard work. We eagerly anticipate the day when we have no mortgage.
Is giving really important?
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The Power of Giving
Household budgets are strained and giving is more difficult than ever. Everyone is working with reduced resources and most of us feel as though we don’t have enough to enjoy our own lives. The idea of giving may seem unreasonable. But maybe now, more than ever, is the best time to give. There is a power in giving.
Most of us have already been blessed with so much. Our parents, teachers, relatives, friends, and others have given us a lot. But many others are not so fortunate.
Consider this:
25% of the world’s population is starving.
15% of the world’s population cannot read or write.
25 children die every minute from a preventable disease.
1.5 billion people don’t have access to clean water.
It’s not necessary to look far from home to find real need. The United States has many homeless people. There are many people not receiving proper nutrition and health care. There are children that aren’t getting the attention they need to flourish.
In giving, you’ll discover many personal benefits:
- A feeling of pride
- Happiness
- Health
- Love
- Peace
- Opportunity to make new relationships
- The realization that you have much more than you think
One of the more profound benefits to the giver is the reduction in fear. With everything going on in the world, many people live in fear of economic collapse, natural disasters, crime, paying their bills, caring for their children and their parents, and numerous other things. This is a function of real events and the overly sensationalistic coverage by the media.
What’s insidious is the effect it has on many people. People become more isolated and less connected with society and their community. Many don’t even know their neighbors. By giving your time, you open yourself up to others and your community.
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Giving Helps You Reach Your Full Potential
Mahatma Gandhi said, “To find yourself, lose yourself in the service of others.“
Reaching your full potential is much more likely when you give. No one can fully realize what they’re capable of without being passionate about their day-to-day activities.
A person that can’t move beyond the more superficial aspects of life can never do anything spectacular, because he will never be exposed to anything that will generate that kind of prerequisite passion.
It’s in Your Nature to Give
It’s in your nature to give, even if you’ve forgotten. Witness most children: sure, some of them are all “mine, mine, and mine” but most kids are really quite giving and share readily. They want to take their friends everywhere with them. They want to feed the baby ducks. They want to take care of their dolls.
However, somewhere along the way, have you developed the belief that you must keep what you’ve gotten for yourself? If so, you’re punishing yourself. You’re giving in to a scarcity mindset which, in itself, will limit your personal success.
So make a plan to give what you have. You may have time, money, or both to share with those less fortunate, but give something and witness the impact it has on your life. You’ll be pleasantly surprised in the power of giving and the benefits it brings into your life.
