The Power of Giving Back

Spud Marshall, the founder of My Creative Community defines community as “a group of people around a shared sense of belonging. There is some identity, there are some values, there is some shared interest, that brings a group of people together and that shared sense of belongingness is what defines a community.” He adds “As a community builder, you are in the business of creating wonders, creating experiences where people have a little spark of the magic of possibility.”

So, how do you actually create that spark of magic possibilities? It’s simple- you give back. But what do you give back?

You may have a lot to give, or you may only have a little. Giving to your potential is the secret to the power of giving. Always remember, it’s not how much you give that makes a difference, but how you offer it. It’s only that the difference is that you opened yourself up for the same cause. 

So, the first step is in realising your full potential. Figure out what you have that others would find useful. There is a chance you have more than you realise. To begin, you must examine your talents, abilities, and resources. They could be something, such as time, money, or the capacity to plan a fund-raising event, or intangible, such as love, knowledge, or attention. It’s possible that at this moment in your life, random acts of kindness are all you have to give.

Keep in mind that your acts have impacts beyond your original gift, which are usually favourable. Sometimes it can even cause a ripple effect. For instance, “I can share my surplus with others too,” the receiver of your extra carrots may think, just as the distant cousin may be inspired to connect with others by your considerate gesture.

Coming back to the original what can you give back, here are a few things that you can give back to your community:

• Money
• Volunteering 
• Knowledge
• Skill
• Leadership
• Time
• Health
• Advice 
• Love
• Hope 

In fact everything and anything. Helping others can take many forms, from donating money to assisting a stranger in digging his car out of the snow, and can stem from a variety of motivations, ranging from deep empathy to appreciation to others. There is no limitation to what you can give, sometimes even a donated piece of cloth can be the wardrobe option of a needy. So be generous. Give whatever you can, whenever you can, wherever you can.

Why is Giving Back to the Community Important: A Beginner’s Guide

What are the advantages of giving back? Here are a few of the benefits of making giving a bigger part of your life:

Sense of Purpose 

Spending time in your community to enrich it, is a fantastic approach to extending your worldview. Immersing yourself in a community and surrounding yourself with people who are dedicated to improving the world can teach you a lot about how the world works. Serving others provides you a sense of purpose that often spills over into other aspects of your life.

New Relationships 

You can only learn about the world, about yourself, and even about your destiny through engaging with other people. Other people are, after all, a mirror in which you may see yourself. This link allows you to realise your full potential and improve your spirit. The act of giving is a wonderful spiritual activity.

Feeling of Security 

Giving might also help you to overcome your fears. Giving encourages social relationships, which strengthens your sense of security. Beginning the process of making a difference is the best way to address your anxieties. It can make you feel more connected to others, which can help you feel less afraid and isolated.

Reaching Your Potential 

“Why, God, do you not do something for these people?” said a man walking past a beggar, according to Rumi, a thirteenth-century Persian mystic. “I accomplished something,” God said. “I created you.” Rumi was addressing our power to select what we do, our ability to realise our full potential when he wrote these words.

The majority of people only employ a small percentage of their potential, and many never discover their real gift or purpose in life. They are unable to discover a worthwhile cause to support, one that is meaningful to them and makes a difference in their life.Things change when you contribute to others or give of yourself to worthwhile causes. You have higher expectations of yourself. You gain a fresh sense of self-worth. Indeed, you begin to recognise your own abilities and qualities. And by doing so, you will be able to reach your greatest potential while also assisting others.

Good Health  

Giving to others benefits people physically and emotionally, according to academic studies. Research in Michigan found that regular volunteer labour enhances life expectancy, according to an article in the May 1988 issue of American Health magazine. Men who did not volunteer at all were two and a half times more likely to die during the research than men who contributed at least once a week, according to the findings. 

Not only this but giving back to the community improves our mental health too. Volunteerism has been found in studies to reduce depression and other forms of psychological discomfort because the brain rewards us with “happy neurotransmitters” that help us feel good in the short and long term when we volunteer.

Happiness 

In studies, it was found that giving back to the community boosts happiness. But how does it happen? Take the example of Mother Teresa. She felt fulfilled when she was able to transform the agony and terror on the faces of dying people into tranquillity and serenity. She made their undeniable suffering a bit easier to bear by offering herself to others. How was she able to achieve this?

It’s simple, if you’re having a bad day, try making someone else happy and watch what happens. Try doing some significant and worthwhile work if you’re feeling empty and unfulfilled. The catch is that you must approach this task with excitement and commitment.

Meaning and fulfillment 

Giving is the only way to receive. Giving brings significance, fulfillment, and happiness into your life. It enables you to realise your full potential and achieve breakthroughs. Giving is, in fact, a privilege. So give of your time, your knowledge, your wisdom, your wealth, and your love—and see how powerful and beautiful giving can be.

The paradox is that if we give back expecting to be rewarded, we will not be rewarded. You get a lot when you offer with enthusiasm, selflessness, and love. The rewards you acquire will be reflected in the mindset you bring to your giving.  But when you expect a return on your investment, you defeat the point of contributing.

Giving Back to the Community: Ways Your Company Can Help!

Individuals are not the only ones who can provide. The majority of us work for companies or organisations that can contribute to our communities. We can influence others, make a difference in the areas we live in, and generate good change when we promote contributing in these organisations. Because ultimately, we are a part of the organisation and the company is defined by our actions. So, here are some ways your company can help in giving back to the community.

Giving Back To The Customers

Walt Disney’s goal was to “bring a smile to a child’s face,” and he was able to achieve this goal despite many difficulties and setbacks. Of course, there was a profit motive—all businesses do, but notice the connection to giving: making a kid smile. 

Giving back to the customers is important. It is the core of any business. Giving to clients fosters loyalty, repeat business, and word-of-mouth recommendations by attending to their needs, fixing their problems, and keeping them happy.

Giving Back To Your Employees

Starbucks’ amazing development can be attributed in part to its philosophy of treating employees as partners and providing consumers with a unique experience each time they visit. Starbucks has been known to open early in order to accommodate a customer, and has even set up tables at railway stations to provide free coffee. These behaviours are based on the notion of giving and serving others. It’s also a wise business decision. Not only this but it was a wise employee retention decision too.

Finding and retaining great individuals is becoming increasingly difficult. Employee potential must also be realised, as employees are the most valuable asset a company has. A giving culture is necessary to recruit and keep good employees. Part of that giving is taking care of their needs and creating an environment that encourages learning, growth, and participation.

Giving Back To Your Community

Every business is part of a larger community. Corporations that give to the community are rewarded for their efforts. Giving establishes a foundation of trust and credibility. It exemplifies responsible citizenship.

Giving Back To The Environment

Today, any firm that fails to recognise the need of being environmentally conscious is viewed negatively by the market. Millions of potential investors will steer clear of these businesses, and some of them may suffer significant financial risks. Furthermore, many businesses miss out on cost reductions that could be realised if they were more careful with their resources. Individuals and organisations can both contribute to making the world a better place than when they arrived.

For example, IKEA uses flat packaging to get every last millimetre of use out of each box. As a result, the corporation can load its trains and trucks even more tightly. The packaging reduces the number of trees cut down while saving up to 15% on fuel costs for each item. Even Amazon has now replaced bubble wraps with paper cushions that are biodegradable.

In the end, I want to ask you what does giving back means to you? How do you feel about it? To me personally, I feel that at the core of all, giving is compassion and love—and it grows when you become a better giver. 

Ask yourself, “How do I feel when I give?” Do I have a sense of energy, happiness, and fulfilment? Or do I feel deprived, cheated, and undervalued? What have been my previous giving experiences? Were they ecstatic or depressed? What has been my most memorable giving experience? What has been my worst giving experience? Your answers to the above questions will help you figure out how you feel about giving.

So by now, you’re ready to rock. You must be eager to dive in and flex your change-agent muscles. This last section gives you one final springboard of quotes that inspire and ignite a sense of generosity—and help make your giving journey as incredible as possible. It also helps you serve your community in the best possible light, savouring what you’ve experienced, and empowering you to continue making change happen.

Giving Back to the Community Quotes

“Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.” – H.Jackson Brown Jr.

“To me, giving back is so important. It makes others feel good which then in return makes me feel good.” – Katie Cassidy

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” –  Mahatma Gandhi

“In a sense, the concept of ‘us’ and ‘them’ is almost no longer relevant, as our neighbors’ interests are ours, as well. Caring for our neighbors’ interests is essentially caring for our future.” – The Dalai Lama

“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands — one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” – Audrey Hepburn

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” – Muhammad Ali

“At the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished… it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.” – Denzel Washington