The Joy Of Giving

Written by Alexis Lion.

Chara, in Greek, refers to ‘joy’. Giving has to come from a cheerful heart.

Is the motivation behind philanthropy all about self-interest? Or are wealthy people value-driven?

Philanthropy can be a ubiquitous influence on society these days. Forbes magazine made a list of 48 Heroes of Philanthropy annually to highlight notable philanthropists that support certain causes through their foundations or directly contribute out of their own kitty. Some raise the point that philanthropists are merely “collective moral actors”, giving back to society in order to position their organisations and all its stakeholders as responsible corporate citizens for the entire community to witness.

When a huge endowment has been given to fund specific research groups, or when someone uses money and connections to send relief aid to devastated countries – these are newsworthy articles which journalists bite on to advocate altruism. The act of public nobility projects the positive image of the providential philanthropist.

In all honesty, the act of giving does not have to begin or end with the well-heeled or those in positions of massive influence. It can begin from small acts of services by everyday heroes. Ann Voskamp, author of New York Times bestseller One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, shares in her book that through giving to her spouse and their six children on the farm, she has found little fragments of joy.

Three years ago, as I was serving in the slum areas of Batam, Indonesia, the things that brought me great comfort and joy was just being physically there. With the other volunteers, I played with the children and taught them some Mathematics and English. We did balloon sculpting with them and piggy-backed them through their modest abodes. Most of them did not understand English, and we barely spoke Bahasa Indonesia. Yet, with very little verbal communication between us, we were rewarded with the smiles on their faces, the hugs and the love we felt -- we received more than we had given through open minds and full hearts.

Giving can be found in our homelands too. The act of GIVING does not have to only take place in less developed countries, such as visiting villages ravaged by poverty and natural disasters, leprosy colonies, or orphanages.
Giving can be just as easily start by making a call to your aged parents and telling them you missed them, or simply helping neighbours put on a fresh coat of paint on their walls and cleaning out their gutters.

Giving could be whipping up large portions of food, and distributing amongst the less fortunate.

Giving could be going to social services to offer your house and love to children from abusive households.
We do not need to be wealthy to experience the joy of giving. You could find your own chara through giving as well.