Be the change you want to see in the world: Let’s stop taking and start giving
What it means to be a giver
A couple months ago I was posed with the question “are you a giver or a taker?” Initially I said I was a giver but after some more time alone with my thoughts I quickly realised I was someone who took more frequently than they gave. Many of us are takers however being a taker doesn’t mean you’re a bad person and being a giver doesn’t mean you’re a good person necessarily. I along with many other people have a desire to change the world positively when I am successful, rich and built my large online following.
Kindness is kindness no matter how big or small an act
However, there is a common misconception that to make positive change in the world you need to posses’ power in the form of money/status however we can all begin changing the world each day of our own lives. Make it your objective to do something for someone else for example give them your undivided attention, giving them some of your time. I remember some point in the summer of 2020, I was having a real bad day and so I decided to venture outside for a walk and to get some fresh air and I was walking with my face scrunched up and painted with aggression however this elderly man took just a moment out of his day to greet me with smile and ask me how I am. The point of that story is the show that doing something for others no matter how small can make not only yourself happier but the other person happier also (but more on that further on).
We are often too caught up in our own life’s and our own dramas that we fight internally to even notice that everyone around us is also suffering and that is why 2020 was such a transformative year because billions of people across the globe were fighting the same battles for once we all had to come together for a common goal. However, helping others is a simple way of helping yourself since I started this daily objective of being a giver, I’ve never been happier the satisfaction that comes with giving a bit of me to others is indescribable.
Practical ways to be more giving
· Give someone some of your time just genuine check up
· Give your money to charity no matter how small even £5 a month Is a positive start
· Ask people what you can do for them when u see them stressed
· Give a smile to a stranger instead of walking past on your phone
· Talk to a stranger on the bus instead of being on your phone ignoring them (be careful though follow this one at your own risk)
· Donate your old things instead of chucking them away or selling them
· Text an old or new friend and check up on them
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These are just a few ideas I’ve tried, and they are very rewarding its that feeling of making the world a better place that is so rejuvenating.
A wise friend of mine once told me the future doesn’t exist and therefore if you want to be a caring, selfless individual you must cultivate the habits of a selfless, caring individual (now not later). This will allow you to make positive change in the world now because if you aren’t doing it now when you are rich and successful how can you be certain you will do it then. You are what you do on a daily therefore if you want to become a selfless individual you must aspire to be so EVERYDAY not just when you have achieved all your goals. So let’s start today Ok…I’ll let you off maybe tomorrow if your reading this in the evening.
Being a taker doesn’t mean bad and being a giver doesn’t mean good
I just want to reiterate this isn’t a conversation on good vs bad people and I don’t want you to be too harsh on yourself for being a taker because I too was a taker, we are often just unaware of our own behaviours but after reading this post and reflecting you will be able to identify which side you are on and adjust your behaviours accordingly.
Or maybe your feeling a sense of betrayal because all you do is give and never receive however society rewards people for what they give so be patient and trust that soon the positive energy you put out into the universe will be returned to you.
Thank you for taking your time to read my first post:)
