The Art of Giving

The holidays are fast approaching and the season of giving is upon us in full swing. The simplest reminders of this festive time is the chill in the air, my need to indulge in Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday movies, the baking that is already taking place in my tiny kitchen and the constant smell of hot cocoa and peppermint candy. The pinnacle of it all is decorating our home and adorning it with Christmas lights. This tradition truly captures the essence of the season and brings a sense of warmth and joy that nothing else quite compares to.

Christmas time has long been designated as the season of selfless giving. I do not know when it became synonymous with simply bestowing gifts unto our loved ones—lavish or inexpensive—but it is a cultural practice that many people enjoy. While giving might go into overdrive at this time of year, it is important to remember why we should give to others throughout the year and build a giving culture.

Giving is more than just a physical transaction; it is a profound act that encompasses mental, social, and spiritual exchanges. Whether a gift is a tangible item or an intangible gesture like spending time with someone, the core of giving lies in the thoughtfulness, love, and concern that one person extends to another. This is the true essence of the act, and it’s what makes giving so special. Here are three core aspects of authentic altruism that is geared toward empowering others:

1. It must be done selflessly and with no agenda. 

In a world where everything is publicized and done sometimes simply to garner recognition, very little is private anymore. The focus should not only be on your act of kindness, but also how the receiver will accept your kind gesture. There should never be an agenda, otherwise the act is reduced to a mere exchange, rather than an opportunity to build a connection of community built on compassion.

2. It must be done with no expectation of being reciprocated. 

Giving fulfills a social and community responsibility. Those who have more have the opportunity to bless those with less or those who cannot reciprocate. Some culture don't have a word for "Thank you," because acts of kindness in the form of giving is the expectation. Growing up in a culture where kindness, generosity and bartering are expected from those around us, giving is the order of community; it not a merely a transactional language. So give even when there may not be a thank you and outside the constraints of a mutually beneficial relationships.

3. Know you're planting seeds. 

What really happens in giving is that we are planting seeds that need to be nurtured in order to foster relationships. By giving, you're also receiving. You may give time, or even a simple material object and realize that it helps in developing a relationship. As mentioned before, it is not the material object, but the thought and time put into considering the individual.

As we go into the weekend, keep these three things in mind, and the art of giving becomes easier, because a giver is also a receiver, and a receiver a giver. I know this may sound idealistic, but practicing these core principles can really enlighten you on the purpose of giving. Find joy in giving.

(Photo credit, @krystynwhitty via Black Girls With Gardens)