50+ Lifestyles

Giving; A Prescription for Happiness

By Mary Schricker Gemberling

“We make a living by what we get;
We make a life by what we give.”
                               …….Winston Churchill

December is ‘National Giving Month.’ The accolade celebrates Americans at their best by acknowledging the generosity and volunteerism that unites people of all ideologies. It recognizes Americans who tend to the unmet human, educational, health, environmental and public needs of our communities.

It seems to be more than just a coincidence that December is also the month we celebrate the birth of Jesus who as a tiny baby received from the Magi three types of gifts: Gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These were not random gifts, but rather purposeful tokens of the giver’s intent. The Magi were wealthy men of great learning., held in high esteem in their own society. They had seen an unusual new star in the sky and knew that it foretold the birth of a special king in Israel. As was customary for royal visits the wise men came bearing treasured gifts intended to honor the newborn king.

As it is today, the first gift of gold was a valued commodity in the ancient world, Because of its scarcity and immense value, gold was particularly associated with royalty and nobility.

The second gift, frankincense, is an aromatic gum resin produced by scraping the bark of certain native trees in the Middle East and Africa. When burned it creates a strong and beautiful aroma, which is closely associated with the ceremonial worship of a deity.

The last gift, myrrh, is a fragrant spice derived from the sap of a tree native to the Near East. In the ancient world it was used as a perfume, anointed oil, and medicinal tonic.

The practice of giving gifts during Christmastime, according to Christian tradition, is symbolic of the presentation of these gifts by the Three Wise Men. Although not as ‘gift focused’ as Christianity, there are many other religions and cultures that have celebratory days and events that are focused on the basic premise that helping others is essential if one is going to make spiritual progress. For example, in Buddhism the act of giving is a practical expression of the sympathy one feels for others.

Gifts are whatever are most needed by the particular person, ranging from the simplest material things to the act of self sacrifice on the part of the giver. They are asked to examine their motivations and seek continuity with the state of their mind and heart. Our generosity and our commitment to charity, even in divisive times, is secure. Charitable giving increases each year, signaling that our friends give according to their beliefs and interests, which are both diverse and wide-ranging.

National Giving Month highlights civic responsibility and the spirit of community and service through shared values that transcend race, religion, gender, age, disability, region, income and education.

• In 2021 Americans gave $484.85 billion to charity. This was 4% over the $466.23 billion given in 2020.
• One third of annual giving occurs in December
• 12% of all giving happens in the last three days of December
• 28% of nonprofits raise as much as 50% of their funding in December.

There are benefits that few think about or expect when gifting. Giving activates the areas of the brain associated with pleasure, social connection and trust. Altruistic behavior releases endorphins in the brain and boosts happiness for us as well as the people we help. Giving also connects us to others, creating stronger communities and helping to build a happier society. And it’s not always about money; we can also give our time, energy and ideas. Studies show that volunteering enhances an individual’s overall sense of purpose and identity, as well as keeping things in perspective. Helping others can also help you live longer by improving your ability to manage stress and stave off disease. It seems that giving and benevolence can be a prescription for a happier life.

“The meaning of life is to find your gift;
The purpose of life is to give it away.”
                                           …….Pablo Picasso

Mary, a former educator and Senior Real Estate Specialist, is the author of four books, The West End Kid, Labor of Love, Hotel Blackhawk; A Century of Elegance, Ebenezer United Methodist Church; 150 Years of Resiliency.