essay on value of giving

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Five ways giving is good for you, jason marsh and jill suttie offer added incentives to get into the holiday spirit..

Holiday shopping can be terrifying, yes. But research suggests it’s worth it: New studies attest to the benefits of giving—not just for the recipients but for the givers’ health and happiness, and for the strength of entire communities.

Of course, you don’t have to shop to reap the benefits of giving. Research suggests the same benefits come from donating to charities or volunteering your time, like at a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter. Here are some of the ways that giving is good for you and your community.

1. Giving makes us feel happy. A 2008 study by Harvard Business School professor Michael Norton and colleagues found that giving money to someone else lifted participants’ happiness more that spending it on themselves (despite participants’ prediction that spending on themselves would make them happier). Happiness expert Sonja Lyubomirsky, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside, saw similar results when she asked people to perform five acts of kindness each week for six weeks.

These good feelings are reflected in our biology. In a 2006 study, Jorge Moll and colleagues at the National Institutes of Health found that when people give to charities, it activates regions of the brain associated with pleasure, social connection, and trust, creating a “warm glow” effect. Scientists also believe that altruistic behavior releases endorphins in the brain, producing the positive feeling known as the “helper’s high.”

2. Giving is good for our health. A wide range of research has linked different forms of generosity to better health, even among the sick and elderly. In his book Why Good Things Happen to Good People , Stephen Post, a professor of preventative medicine at Stony Brook University, reports that giving to others has been shown to increase health benefits in people with chronic illness, including HIV and multiple sclerosis.

A 1999 study led by Doug Oman of the University of California, Berkeley, found that elderly people who volunteered for two or more organizations were 44 percent less likely to die over a five-year period than were non-volunteers, even after controlling for their age, exercise habits, general health, and negative health habits like smoking. Stephanie Brown of the University of Michigan saw similar results in a 2003 study on elderly couples. She and her colleagues found that those individuals who provided practical help to friends, relatives, or neighbors, or gave emotional support to their spouses, had a lower risk of dying over a five-year period than those who didn’t. Interestingly, receiving help wasn’t linked to a reduced death risk.

Researchers suggest that one reason giving may improve physical health and longevity is that it helps decrease stress, which is associated with a variety of health problems. In a 2006 study by Rachel Piferi of Johns Hopkins University and Kathleen Lawler of the University of Tennessee, people who provided social support to others had lower blood pressure than participants who didn’t, suggesting a direct physiological benefit to those who give of themselves.

3. Giving promotes cooperation and social connection. When you give, you’re more likely to get back: Several studies, including work by sociologists Brent Simpson and Robb Willer, have suggested that when you give to others, your generosity is likely to be rewarded by others down the line—sometimes by the person you gave to, sometimes by someone else.

These exchanges promote a sense of trust and cooperation that strengthens our ties to others—and research has shown that having positive social interactions is central to good mental and physical health. As researcher John Cacioppo writes in his book Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection , “The more extensive the reciprocal altruism born of social connection . . . the greater the advance toward health, wealth, and happiness.”

What’s more, when we give to others, we don’t only make them feel closer to us; we also feel closer to them. “Being kind and generous leads you to perceive others more positively and more charitably,” writes Lyubomirsky in her book The How of Happiness , and this “fosters a heightened sense of interdependence and cooperation in your social community.”

4. Giving evokes gratitude. Whether you’re on the giving or receiving end of a gift, that gift can elicit feelings of gratitude—it can be a way of expressing gratitude or instilling gratitude in the recipient. And research has found that gratitude is integral to happiness, health, and social bonds.

Robert Emmons and Michael McCullough, co-directors of the Research Project on Gratitude and Thankfulness, found that teaching college students to “count their blessings” and cultivate gratitude caused them to exercise more, be more optimistic, and feel better about their lives overall. A recent study led by Nathaniel Lambert at Florida State University found that expressing gratitude to a close friend or romantic partner strengthens our sense of connection to that person.

Barbara Fredrickson, a pioneering happiness researcher, suggests that cultivating gratitude in everyday life is one of the keys to increasing personal happiness. “When you express your gratitude in words or actions, you not only boost your own positivity but [other people’s] as well,” she writes in her book Positivity . “And in the process you reinforce their kindness and strengthen your bond to one another.”

5. Giving is contagious. When we give, we don’t only help the immediate recipient of our gift. We also spur a ripple effect of generosity through our community.

A study by James Fowler of the University of California, San Diego, and Nicholas Christakis of Harvard, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science , shows that when one person behaves generously, it inspires observers to behave generously later, toward different people. In fact, the researchers found that altruism could spread by three degrees—from person to person to person to person. “As a result,” they write, “each person in a network can influence dozens or even hundreds of people, some of whom [they do] not know and [have] not met.” ] Giving has also been linked to the release of oxytocin, a hormone (also released during sex and breast feeding) that induces feelings of warmth, euphoria, and connection to others. In laboratory studies, Paul Zak, the director of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies at Claremont Graduate University, has found that a dose of oxytocin will cause people to give more generously and to feel more empathy towards others, with “symptoms” lasting up to two hours. And those people on an “oxytocin high” can potentially jumpstart a “virtuous circle, where one person’s generous behavior triggers another’s,” says Zak.

So whether you buy gifts, volunteer your time, or donate money to charity this holiday season, your giving is much more than just a year-end chore. It may help you build stronger social connections and even jumpstart a cascade of generosity through your community. And don’t be surprised if you find yourself benefiting from a big dose of happiness in the process.

About the Authors

Jill Suttie

Jill Suttie, Psy.D. , is Greater Good ’s former book review editor and now serves as a staff writer and contributing editor for the magazine. She received her doctorate of psychology from the University of San Francisco in 1998 and was a psychologist in private practice before coming to Greater Good .

Jason Marsh

Jason Marsh is the executive director of the Greater Good Science Center and the editor in chief of Greater Good .

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This is a thoughtful entry. I’m used to hearing that giving makes you happy and that it is healthy, but there are many other benefits.

In fact, giving is so good for us that I can think of several other benefits right off the bat: Giving can actually alleviate minor mental illness. Certain forms of it, like formal volunteering, can help you create a winning resume or application for something. Giving can result in personal growth. Giving can help you be a good role model to the young people in your life. And most importantly, giving makes the world a better place for us all to live in. If everyone did their part, maybe we could all reduce the amount of crime, violence, prejudice, and suffering.

Amanda | 5:38 am, January 8, 2011 | Link

“Giving has also been linked to the release of oxytocin, a hormone (also released during sex and breast feeding) that induces feelings of warmth, euphoria, and connection to others. “

I love it! I am forwarding this article to my husby to answer his complains on not enough sex. He is not giving me enough!

Club Wear | 10:41 pm, January 10, 2011 | Link

Wow. I’m really glad I found this article and this site. I’ve been looking for some solid research on why we should give and encourage the act of giving and this site is excellent.

“A 1999 study led by Doug Oman of the University of California, Berkeley, found that elderly people who volunteered for two or more organizations were 44 percent less likely to die over a five-year period than were non-volunteers, even after controlling for their age, exercise habits, general health, and negative health habits like smoking.”

I would love to get this into the minds of general society. How often do we hear about driven people who work all their lives, but quickly die once they retire?

Perhaps engaging voluntary work would not only benefit others, but also prolong the life of the volunteer.

Darren | 12:09 am, August 7, 2011 | Link

I’m a millionaire and I often help my employees during financial hardship. I prefer to spend on others rather than myself.

Mike | 1:28 pm, January 16, 2013 | Link

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THE JOY OF GIVING: The more you give of yourself, the more you find of yourself

We all know how great it feels to receive gifts. However, the joy of getting is short-lived. Our lives are richer when we share, and that great inner joy comes from helping others to better their lives.

Truly giving from the heart fills your life with joy and nourishes your soul. Giving provides an intrinsic reward that’s far more valuable than the gift. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “To find yourself, lose yourself in the service of others.”

Giving takes you out of yourself and allows you to expand beyond earthly limitations. True joy lies in the act of giving without an expectation of receiving something in return.

Academic research and thousands of years of human history confirm that achieving meaning, fulfillment, and happiness in life comes from making others happy, and not from being self-centred. Mother Teresa is a famous example. She found fulfillment in giving of herself to others. She helped change the expression on dying people’s faces from distress and fear to calmness and serenity. She made their undeniable pain a little easier to bear.

When people are asked why they give, the readiest answers include: God wants me to; I feel better about myself; others need, and I have; I want to share; it’s only right. The question I would ask is how did you feel? I imagine you felt very pleased with yourself and happy inside.

It has been my experience that when you’re focused on giving to others you’re less likely to become consumed by your own concerns and challenges. Giving provides an opportunity to look beyond our own world and see the bigger picture.

A great perspective can be achieved by stepping out of our own world and venturing into the world of other people. Your worries and challenges may not seem as significant when compared to other people’s situations.

The act of giving kindles self-esteem and brings happiness. Scientists have discovered that happiness is related to how much gratitude you show. After several years of soul searching, I discovered that my unhappiness was due to my want for things to fill the void of loneliness.

My search for inner happiness led me towards gratitude. During this process of self-realization, I also discovered “ The Purpose of Living.” Yes, I believe that giving thanks makes you happier. But don’t take my word for it—try it out for yourself.

The power of giving and the joy of helping others

Giving is one of the best investments you can make towards achieving genuine happiness. True giving comes from the heart, with no expectation of reciprocation. You’ll find that the more you give, the more you’ll receive.

The power of giving is manifested in the kindness and generosity that you bestow on someone else. When you give to another unselfishly, the vibrational energy emitting from your subconscious is at its strongest. The power of giving, according to neuroscience, is that it feels good.

A Chinese proverb says: “If you always give, you will always have.” A famous American author and management expert, Ken Blanchard, declared “The more I give away, the more comes back.”

If you find yourself feeling unhappy, try making someone else happy and see what happens. If you’re feeling empty and unfulfilled, try doing some meaningful and worthwhile work and see how you feel. The catch is that you must do this work with passion and enthusiasm.

There are many organizations, institutions and people who are engaged in exemplary works of giving. Narayanan Krishnan is a management graduate from Madurai, India who gave up his career as chef with a five-star hotel when he saw a man so hungry that he was feeding on his own excreta. From there on Krishnan started his noble initiative to feed thousands of destitute and homeless people in his state—free of cost.

Another example of giving is Sanjit “Bunker” Roy, founder of the Barefoot College . Since graduating from college in 1965, Mr. Roy has committed his life to serve the poor and to help rural communities become self-sufficient. The Barefoot College education program encourages learning-by-doing, such as training grandmothers from Africa and the Himalayan region to be solar engineers so they could bring electricity to their remote villages.

It’s the joy and love that we extend to others that brings true happiness or union with God. When we give, we reap the joy of seeing a bright smile, laughter, tears of joy and gratitude for life . We know that if people give just a little more—of their time, skills, knowledge, wisdom, compassion, wealth and love—the world would be a more peaceful and healthier place.

The rewards of giving are priceless. If you want to have happiness, you need to give happiness. If you want love, you need to give love. It is only in giving that you receive. No matter what your circumstances in life, you have the ability to give.

I encourage you to look for opportunities where you can give and help others. The gift of joy will come to you when you give of yourself to others. That’s what life is all about. Let’s practice and commit our lives to giving joy. Try it!  It works!

Recommended reading

I Like Giving: The Transforming Power of a Generous Life

Rich with inspiring stories and practical suggestions, I Like Giving  helps you create a lifestyle of generosity. Written by Brad Formsma.  Learn more about the book»

The Giving Book: Open the Door to a Lifetime of Giving

This spiral-bound, book combines colorful illustrations and entertaining narrative with fun learning activities, inspiring youngsters to give back to the world. Learn more about the book»

[su_note note_color=”#f2f2f2″ text_color=”#000000″ radius=”0″]Darshan Goswami has over 40 years of experience in the energy field. He is currently working as a Project Manager for Renewable Energy and Smart Grid projects at the United States Department of Energy (DOE) in Pittsburgh, PA, USA. Darshan is a registered Professional Electrical Engineer with a passion and commitment to promote, develop and deploy renewable energy resources and the hydrogen economy.[/su_note]

image: Carnie Lewis via Compfight cc ; image 2: Pixabay ; image 3: Pixabay

Pretty! This was a really wonderful article. Thanks for supplying these details.

Great submissions… It all boils down to love. Giving is work onto where it’s received. It’s easy to give off from what you love doing and it’s your foundation for a lifestyle of giving. God started it all by giving His only begotten which cost him everything yet free. This means He did not put a sale tag on Him, that whosoever believes must then buy with the prevailing currency. But gave all that He had to gain all of Himself in us. Love is a command so He has no option but to give His all for all without preference, to tribes, tongues, colour, race, people etc and this He had joy in… Thus when we want to be joyful in life we must first see Love as a command to do to live, as our lives depended on it, then all of its variables fall under it in our obedience to do

Thanks for so much explanation!!! Would like u to add some examples so that they can be used in daily life

A great article. Very inspiring.

Can you give main points to me i have to give a speech on it and its impossible to learn all this.

Dear Darshan Goswami, Thank you for the article, in general very inspiring. I just have one recommendation regarding Mother Teresa example. There is a book and also a BBC documentary that doesn?t agree with your comments about her. Please, review Aroup Chatterjee?s book 2003, indian doctor that investigated her and her homes. Also . the 1994 program presented by writer and journalist Christopher Hitchens, “Hell’s Angel: Madre Teresa”. Best regards. JA

Hitchins had to defame Mother Teresa. She was an obstacle to his understanding, and he could not rest satisfied until he tried to destroy her reputation.

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The Ethics of Giving: Philosophers' Perspectives on Philanthropy

Professor of Philosophy

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Philanthropy and charitable giving support the lives of both people and institutions. Individuals express their values by where they give and how much. Yet recent philosophers have written little about the subject, aside from Peter Singer and other advocates of effective altruism, who are mostly (but not universally) consequentialist utilitarians. We have a need, therefore, to examine theories of the ethics of giving from a wider range of theories, including theories based on Kant, intuitionism, virtue theory, integrity, and justice. The ethical theory that individuals hold makes a significant difference to their practices in giving. This volume contains essays by philosophers who are, in most cases, publishing on the topic for the first time.

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Gifts of one who loved me, — 'T was high time they came; When he ceased to love me, Time they stopped for shame.

In his essay "Gifts," Ralph Waldo Emerson delves into the intricacies of giving and receiving presents, emphasizing the importance of thoughtfulness, sincerity, and simplicity. He underscores that the true value of a gift lies not in its material worth but in the genuine expression of love, friendship, or gratitude it represents. For Emerson, the most meaningful gifts reflect the giver's understanding and appreciation of the recipient's character, needs, and desires, transcending the mere transactional nature of gift-giving.

Emerson also explores gift-receiving etiquette, stating that gracious acceptance is as crucial as giving. He encourages recipients to recognize the giver's intentions and appreciate the emotional significance behind the gift rather than focusing solely on its material aspects. By cultivating mindfulness and humility in giving and receiving, Emerson believes that individuals can strengthen their relationships and foster a more profound connection with one another.

I t is said that the world is in a state of bankruptcy, that the world owes the world more than the world can pay, and ought to go into chancery, and be sold. I do not think this general insolvency, which involves in some sort all the population, to be the reason of the difficulty experienced at Christmas and New Year, and other times, in bestowing gifts; since it is always so pleasant to be generous, though very vexatious to pay debts. But the impediment lies in the choosing. If, at any time, it comes into my head, that a present is due from me to somebody, I am puzzled what to give, until the opportunity is gone. Flowers and fruits are always fit presents; flowers, because they are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world. These gay natures contrast with the somewhat stern countenance of ordinary nature: they are like music heard out of a work-house. Nature does not cocker us: we are children, not pets: she is not fond: everything is dealt to us without fear or favor, after severe universal laws. Yet these delicate flowers look like the frolic and interference of love and beauty. Men use to tell us that we love flattery, even though we are not deceived by it, because it shows that we are of importance enough to be courted. Something like that pleasure, the flowers give us: what am I to whom these sweet hints are addressed? Fruits are acceptable gifts, because they are the flower of commodities, and admit of fantastic values being attached to them. If a man should send to me to come a hundred miles to visit him, and should set before me a basket of fine summerfruit, I should think there was some proportion between the labor and the reward.

For common gifts, necessity makes pertinences and beauty every day, and one is glad when an imperative leaves him no option, since if the man at the door have no shoes, you have not to consider whether you could procure him a paint-box. And as it is always pleasing to see a man eat bread, or drink water, in the house or out of doors, so it is always a great satisfaction to supply these first wants. Necessity does everything well. In our condition of universal dependence, it seems heroic to let the petitioner be the judge of his necessity, and to give all that is asked, though at great inconvenience. If it be a fantastic desire, it is better to leave to others the office of punishing him. I can think of many parts I should prefer playing to that of the Furies. Next to things of necessity, the rule for a gift, which one of my friends prescribed, is, that we might convey to some person that which properly belonged to his character, and was easily associated with him in thought. But our tokens of compliment and love are for the most part barbarous. Rings and other jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only gift is a portion of thyself. Thou must bleed for me. Therefore the poet brings his poem; the shepherd, his lamb; the farmer, corn; the miner, a gem; the sailor, coral and shells; the painter, his picture; the girl, a handkerchief of her own sewing. This is right and pleasing, for it restores society in so far to its primary basis, when a man's biography is conveyed in his gift, and every man's wealth is an index of his merit. But it is a cold, lifeless business when you go to the shops to buy me something, which does not represent your life and talent, but a goldsmith's. This is fit for kings, and rich men who represent kings, and a false state of property, to make presents of gold and silver stuffs, as a kind of symbolical sin-offering, or payment of black-mail.

The law of benefits is a difficult channel, which requires careful sailing, or rude boats. It is not the office of a man to receive gifts. How dare you give them? We wish to be self-sustained. We do not quite forgive a giver. The hand that feeds us is in some danger of being bitten. We can receive anything from love, for that is a way of receiving it from ourselves; but not from any one who assumes to bestow. We sometimes hate the meat which we eat, because there seems something of degrading dependence in living by it.

"Brother, if Jove to thee a present make, Take heed that from his hands thou nothing take."

We ask the whole. Nothing less will content us. We arraign society, if it do not give us besides earth, and fire, and water, opportunity, love, reverence, and objects of veneration.

He is a good man, who can receive a gift well. We are either glad or sorry at a gift, and both emotions are unbecoming. Some violence, I think, is done, some degradation borne, when I rejoice or grieve at a gift. I am sorry when my independence is invaded, or when a gift comes from such as do not know my spirit, and so the act is not supported; and if the gift pleases me overmuch, then I should be ashamed that the donor should read my heart, and see that I love his commodity, and not him. The gift, to be true, must be the flowing of the giver unto me, correspondent to my flowing unto him. When the waters are at level, then my goods pass to him, and his to me. All his are mine, all mine his. I say to him, How can you give me this pot of oil, or this flagon of wine, when all your oil and wine is mine, which belief of mine this gift seems to deny? Hence the fitness of beautiful, not useful things for gifts. This giving is flat usurpation, and therefore when the beneficiary is ungrateful, as all beneficiaries hate all Timons, not at all considering the value of the gift, but looking back to the greater store it was taken from, I rather sympathize with the beneficiary, than with the anger of my lord Timon. For, the expectation of gratitude is mean, and is continually punished by the total insensibility of the obliged person. It is a great happiness to get off without injury and heart-burning, from one who has had the ill luck to be served by you. It is a very onerous business, this of being served, and the debtor naturally wishes to give you a slap. A golden text for these gentlemen is that which I so admire in the Buddhist, who never thanks, and who says, "Do not flatter your benefactors."

The reason of these discords I conceive to be, that there is no commensurability between a man and any gift. You cannot give anything to a magnanimous person. After you have served him, he at once puts you in debt by his magnanimity. The service a man renders his friend is trivial and selfish, compared with the service he knows his friend stood in readiness to yield him, alike before he had begun to serve his friend, and now also. Compared with that good-will I bear my friend, the benefit it is in my power to render him seems small. Besides, our action on each other, good as well as evil, is so incidental and at random, that we can seldom hear the acknowledgments of any person who would thank us for a benefit, without some shame and humiliation. We can rarely strike a direct stroke, but must be content with an oblique one; we seldom have the satisfaction of yielding a direct benefit, which is directly received. But rectitude scatters favors on every side without knowing it, and receives with wonder the thanks of all people.

I fear to breathe any treason against the majesty of love, which is the genius and god of gifts, and to whom we must not affect to prescribe. Let him give kingdoms or flower-leaves indifferently. There are persons, from whom we always expect fairy tokens; let us not cease to expect them. This is prerogative, and not to be limited by our municipal rules. For the rest, I like to see that we cannot be bought and sold. The best of hospitality and of generosity is also not in the will, but in fate. I find that I am not much to you; you do not need me; you do not feel me; then am I thrust out of doors, though you proffer me house and lands. No services are of any value, but only likeness. When I have attempted to join myself to others by services, it proved an intellectual trick, — no more. They eat your service like apples, and leave you out. But love them, and they feel you, and delight in you all the time.

What did Emerson say about the gift giver and the gift receiver?

In his essay "Gifts," Ralph Waldo Emerson discusses the roles of both the gift giver and receiver, emphasizing the importance of thoughtfulness, sincerity, and understanding. According to Emerson, the true value of a gift lies in the expression of love, friendship, or gratitude it represents rather than its material worth.

For the gift giver, Emerson believes the most meaningful gifts reflect a deep understanding and appreciation of the recipient's character, needs, and desires. A thoughtful and sincere gift transcends the mere transactional nature of gift-giving and creates a meaningful connection between the giver and the receiver.

As for the gift receiver, Emerson stresses the importance of gracious acceptance. He encourages recipients to appreciate the emotional significance and intentions behind the gift rather than focusing solely on its material aspects. By doing so, the receiver acknowledges the giver's thoughtfulness and effort, cultivating mindfulness and humility.

In summary, Emerson's views on gift-giving and receiving revolve around the ideas of thoughtfulness, sincerity, and fostering deeper connections between individuals. He believes that both the giver and receiver have essential roles in making the exchange of gifts a meaningful and enriching experience.

What are the Rules of Gifts according to Emerson?

Ralph Waldo Emerson doesn't necessarily lay out specific "rules" for gift-giving in his essay "Gifts." Still, he does convey several important principles that can guide giving and receiving gifts. Some of these principles include:

Thoughtfulness: The most valuable gifts demonstrate a deep understanding of the recipient's character, needs, and desires. The gift should be chosen with care, reflecting the giver's genuine affection and appreciation for the recipient.

Sincerity: A gift should be an honest expression of love, friendship, or gratitude. It should come from the heart and not be given out of obligation or as a mere formality.

Simplicity: Emerson suggests simplicity is often the key to a significant gift. Extravagant or expensive gifts may not necessarily be more meaningful than simpler ones, especially if they lack a personal connection or thoughtfulness.

The gift's intrinsic value: The true worth of a gift lies not in its material value but in its emotional significance and the connection it creates between the giver and receiver.

Gracious acceptance: As a gift receiver, it is important to be mindful and humble, focusing on the emotional significance and intentions behind the gift rather than its material aspects.

Reciprocity: Emerson touches on the idea that gift-giving is often reciprocal but also emphasizes that it should not be a tit-for-tat exchange. The focus should remain on expressing genuine feelings and fostering a deeper connection between individuals.

In conclusion, while Emerson does not lay out specific rules for gift-giving and receiving, he emphasizes the importance of thoughtfulness, sincerity, simplicity, and graciousness in the process. The giver and receiver can create a more meaningful and enriching experience by following these principles.

Why do we find it difficult to receive gifts?

Receiving gifts can be difficult for some people due to various reasons, including the following:

Feelings of unworthiness: Some individuals may feel undeserving of gifts or attention, leading to discomfort when receiving presents. This could be rooted in low self-esteem, past experiences, or cultural beliefs.

Fear of obligation: Receiving a gift may create a sense of indebtedness, making the recipient feel as though they are now obligated to reciprocate the gesture. This pressure to give back can be uncomfortable and may cause some people to feel uneasy about accepting gifts.

Discomfort with vulnerability: Accepting a gift requires acknowledging that someone has thought about and cared for you, which can make some individuals feel vulnerable. This vulnerability may be challenging for those who prefer to maintain emotional distance or self-reliance.

Concerns about the gift's appropriateness: Some people may worry about the suitability of the gift, whether it is too expensive, too personal, or not aligned with their tastes or values. This concern can create unease when receiving a gift.

Fear of appearing greedy or materialistic: Accepting a gift might cause some individuals to worry about appearing selfish or overly focused on material possessions. This fear can make it difficult to accept a present graciously.

Cultural differences: In some cultures, accepting gifts may be associated with specific customs or expectations that can create anxiety or confusion. For example, certain cultures may dictate that a gift should be refused several times before finally accepting it or that an immediate reciprocal gift is required.

To overcome these difficulties, it is essential to cultivate gratitude and graciousness when receiving gifts. Remember that a gift is often an expression of love, friendship, or appreciation; accepting it graciously can strengthen relationships and foster a deeper connection with others.

What is the meaning of gift giving?

Gift-giving is a universal expression of various emotions, sentiments, and social bonds. It serves several purposes and carries different meanings depending on the context, culture, and personal intentions. Some of the key meanings and purposes of gift-giving include:

Expression of love, affection, or friendship: Gift-giving is often a way to show love and care for someone, reinforcing the emotional connection between the giver and the recipient.

Celebration or commemoration: Gifts are often given to mark special occasions, such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, or holidays, to celebrate and create lasting memories.

Expression of gratitude or appreciation: Giving a gift can be a token of thanks or recognition for someone's kindness, support, or hard work.

Strengthening social bonds: Gift-giving is essential in building and maintaining relationships, whether among family, friends, or colleagues. It promotes goodwill, trust, and reciprocity, fostering stronger social connections.

Cultural or religious traditions: Many cultures and religions have specific gift-giving customs and rituals, reflecting the values and beliefs of the community. In these contexts, gifts can carry deeper symbolic meanings and serve to uphold cultural identity and continuity.

Acts of generosity and charity: Giving gifts to those in need, such as through donations or volunteering, is an expression of compassion and empathy, contributing to the well-being of others and the greater good.

Overall, the meaning of gift-giving is multifaceted, encompassing emotional, social, cultural, and even spiritual dimensions. By giving and receiving gifts, individuals can express their feelings, strengthen relationships, and create lasting memories, making it an essential aspect of human interaction and connection.

Ralph Waldo Emerson left the ministry to pursue a career in writing and public speaking. Emerson became one of America's best known and best-loved 19th-century figures. More About Emerson

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Giving Really Is Better than Receiving

Does giving to others (compared to oneself) promote happiness.

Posted December 25, 2010 | Reviewed by Abigail Fagan

During the holiday season, one custom that is shared across many religious and cultural traditions ranging from Christmas to Hanukkah to Kwanzaa is the act of giving to others.

For instance, we often hear the phrase "it is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35) quoted a lot during this time of year. Although holiday gift-giving has often become associated with shopping aggravations and as a key indicator of the economy's general state of health, there is considerable evidence in support of this frequently-cited biblical passage.

Science supports the benefits of giving.

For example, research by social psychologist Liz Dunn and her colleagues appearing in the journal Science shows that people's sense of happiness is greater when they spend relatively more on others than on themselves.

In one survey of over 600 U.S. citizens, Dunn and colleagues found that spending money on others predicted greater happiness whereas spending money on oneself did not, and this pattern was found across all income levels. In other words, even those with little money reported greater happiness when their proportion of spending on others, relative to the self, was greater.

In a more controlled experiment, Dunn and colleagues gave students at the University of British Columbia an envelope containing money and told them that they either (1) had to spend the money on themselves before 5 p.m. that day or (2) had to spend the money on someone else before 5 p.m. Those who gifted for others were happier than those who gifted for themselves.

In some cases, there were 5 dollars in the envelope and in other cases there were 20 dollars. The amount didn't matter — the results were the same. Spending on others made people happier than spending on themselves. Ironically, when asked to predict which outcome would make one happier (i.e., spending on oneself or spending on others), another group of students at the same university thought spending on themselves would make them happier than spending on others.

In short, people's selfish assumptions were proven wrong when they actually had the opportunity to give to others.

Transcendental leaders support the benefits of giving.

In addition to solid scientific evidence supporting the benefits of giving to others, it's not surprising to see that many of the most prominent transcendental leaders emphasize the importance giving in their teachings.

For example, emphasizing the Buddhist principle of dependent origination, the Dalai Lama notes that one's own happiness is dependent on the happiness of others. In his book Ethics for the New Millennium , the Dalai Lama observes that happiness does not come from material things but rather from a deep, genuine concern for others' happiness. In fact, the Dalai Lama contends that focusing on one's own needs instead of others' results in negative emotions that prevent true and lasting happiness for the self.

Similarly, one of my favorite quotes from Mahatma Gandhi regarding self-understanding is, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

And lastly, and to bring things full circle with Christian gospel this holiday season, the value of giving to others was one of the themes reiterated by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In arguably his finest sermon, The Drum Major Instinct , King notes that personal greatness and service to others are intertwined. In a world filled with people's selfish endeavors and nations' destructive engagement in war and violence, King emphasized that a desire to be the best (the drum major) can be transformed from a selfish impulse to an instrument for justice if people adopt service to others as their goal. In King's poignant words, "Everybody can be great, because everyone can serve."

It is fitting that when King delivered this sermon to his congregation at Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church exactly two months before he was assassinated, he emphasized that he hoped he would simply be remembered as a man who tried to help others, serve others, and give to others. For someone who was an accomplished international leader , it is poignant that in the end, King recognized the most powerful and enduring statement about one's life is not personal accolades such as winning Nobel Prizes but rather living a life of service to others.

During this holiday season, let's not lose sight of the value of giving to others. It does not matter whether you give a lot or a little, give gifts or intangible things. What matters most for meaningful happiness is appreciating the importance of those around you — family, friends, and community — and do so each and every day of the year, not simply on Christmas morning.

Allen R. McConnell , Ph.D. , is the James and Beth Lewis Professor of Psychology at Miami University.

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The Importance of Giving

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One of the biggest questions that philosophers, psychologists, and other scientific thinkers have been reflecting on is the question of doing good– altruism.

What does it mean to be altruistic?

Usually, it is defined as “self-sacrifice” or “giving to others regardless of the personal consequences”. Giving can take many forms, especially among humans: we give gifts, our time, resources, support, emotions, etc.

But what if we do good things for others knowing that we’ll reap some benefits for ourselves? Is that still altruism? This is what many researchers and thinkers have been debating over for centuries now. Does a selfless altruistic act even exist? Or is it always motivated by personal gains?

If we view altruism as laughter, we can say that we often laugh to make other people feel good, but we also do it because we enjoy laughing, or because we have an interest in the other person liking us. It’s difficult to untangle these motivations.

Similar to laughter, acts of kindness mean a lot to other people, but to us, too. Selfless giving is considered a high virtue, but this very consideration is what makes its altruism questionable: Are we doing it for the sake of being awarded as virtuous, or because we truly want to give?

And while these are great questions for exercising our thought processes and introspecting our motivation, we can also ask ourselves:

Are the answers ultimately important?

Or is the result more important: us feeling well, meaningful, connected to the people around us, and others feeling noticed, taken care of, and important?

It’s on each one of us to answer these questions. In the meantime, we’ll list some of the most important aspects and consequences of giving.

Hint: they’re all positive.

Giving supports our health

There are many studies, especially since the rise of positive psychology that consider the relationship between kindness, positivity, giving, and other similar positive practices and human health.

Physical health and giving

Did you know that kind, giving people tend to live longer and healthier lives? They report fewer symptoms of pain and aches. Studies have shown that volunteering is more important in lowering your likelihood of dying than exercising four times a week–almost as important as quitting smoking.

In his book, Why Good Things Happen to Good People , preventative medicine professor Stephen Post reported that giving to others can increase the immune system response among people with a chronic illness.

Mental health and giving

Acts of giving and kindness also play a preventative role when it comes to our mental health . Such acts stimulate the reward (dopamine and endorphin) in brain areas and thus make us feel good and positive. This makes an impact on our cognition, emotions, and psyche, and increases our perceived self-value, confidence, and self-worth. This way we prevent ourselves from falling victim to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

How is this possible? Why is the act of giving so beneficial for our overall physical wellbeing?

The most probable hypothesis is that volunteering, kindness to others, giving, and other altruistic acts lower our perceived stress and the intensity of our stress response. This way, instead of excreting “bad” neurotransmitters and hormones like cortisol and adrenaline that alert our organism and harm our health, we are much more in balance with our entire being.

Helping others makes us feel good, and we can feel it both physically and mentally: people reported feeling more energetic, less depressed, and more self-worthy. It’s like helping others has the potential to trigger euphoria.

Giving makes us happy

Besides giving us energy and making us more energetic and healthy, giving ultimately makes us happy . We’ve mentioned already how volunteer work and kindness can lower symptoms of depression and make us “high” on dopamine and endorphins.

This all means that giving is a much more important element of happiness than receiving.

Being able to give makes us feel like we’re making a big impact on someone’s life, encouraging us to do more good and uncover a different perspective of happiness. In support, studies detect a clear correlation between volunteering and happiness. Teenagers who are motivated to help others feel much happier, more excited, engaged, involved, and active compared to their peers who are not motivated by altruism. They are also more socially intelligent and confident.

Giving promotes positive values

Giving inspires further giving. This is just one of the many positive values that the act of giving instills. Apart from feeling grateful for being important to someone, the receivers very often also become inspired and wish to become givers themselves.

Furthermore, if you give to others, you are more likely to be rewarded , and receive something in return, either from the same person or someone else. Such exchanges represent the base for other positive emotions and values, such as trust, cooperation, intimacy, and life satisfaction. Giving also strengthens positive relationships and collaboration not only between two individuals, but within a social community as well.

Buildings or neighborhoods in which all neighbors know each other, have mutual community activities, and help each other (helping the elderly, watching each other’s children, exchanging/borrowing things, etc.) tend to have less crime, disputes, and be more satisfied in life.

Giving and gratitude

It’s quite unexpected how giving evokes gratitude on both ends: both the giver and the receiver can feel grateful in the act. The giver might be expressing their gratitude for something, and at the same time make the receiver feel grateful as well.

So far, research has revealed that gratitude plays an important part in our happiness, health, social relationships, and overall wellbeing. It’s another mediator to perceived stress that makes us more resilient and optimistic when life gets hard .

By giving to others, you pass the beautiful feeling of gratitude on. Once you feel grateful for what you have now, or what you have received, you’ll most likely wish to spread appreciation and joy around.

How important is giving to you? Are you a giver or a receiver? Do you notice that you receive more when you feel and act in a giving way? Do you think that’s a coincidence or is there an explanation?

There are so many things to be gifted: objects, love, patience, attention, time, advice, forgiveness, presence. A gift is the most beautiful way to thank someone, apologize, show how we feel, or make friends with someone.

Giving is an act of art because it sums up the most beautiful wishes, feelings, and messages. From a small act of kindness like a smile to bigger deeds like supporting a dear friend or helping a team member achieve something that’s important to them–it’s an art. Ultimately, it helps you become a better and happier person.

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• Five reasons to give to charity

Five reasons to give to charity 

At Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) we know that donating to the causes you care about benefits more than just the charities and those they support – it can be deeply rewarding for you too. CAF's  World Giving Index 2022  found that record numbers of people globally chose to give to charity in 2021, and more than 3 billion people reported having helped a stranger. Millions give to charity on a regular basis to support causes they believe in, as well as for the positive effect it has on their own lives. So why is giving to charity so gratifying and life-changing for all involved? Here are five good reasons you might not have thought about for donating to your charities of choice. 

1. Giving to charity makes you feel good 

Donating to charity is a major mood-booster. The knowledge that you’re helping others is hugely empowering and, in turn, can make you feel happier and more fulfilled. Research has identified a link between making a donation to charity and increased activity in the area of the brain that registers pleasure – proving that as the old adage goes, it really is far better to give than to receive.

CAF's latest UK Giving  report found that 20% of people surveyed said that they gave to charity because doing so made them feel good. In our research, ' Why we give ', published back in 2014, we asked 700 of our generous donors to tell us what motivates them to give regularly to charity; 42% cited the enjoyment they receive from giving as a key influence. What type of giver are you? 

Take our short quiz

2. Giving to charity strengthens personal values 

In our research report, Why we give , a feeling of social conscience was the most widely-cited reason to give to charity. Whatever type of charity work they supported, 96% of people said they felt they had a moral duty to use what they had to help others – a sentiment very much rooted in their personal values and principles. Having the power to improve the lives of others is, to many people, a privilege, and one that comes with its own sense of obligation. Acting on these powerful feelings of responsibility is a great way to reinforce our own personal values and feel like we are living in a way that is true to our own beliefs. If you are looking for tools to help you figure out which causes matter most to you and how best you might be able to make an impact, our Guide to Giving  can help. 

3. Giving is more impactful than ever

Many people are concerned that their donations to charity may be reduced by tax or administrative costs, preventing the full amount from reaching the people or causes they really want to help. Thankfully there are ways to make the most of every donation to charity. If you’re a UK taxpayer, you can boost the amount of every donation you make by giving through Gift Aid , an Income Tax relief programme created to help charities get the most out of the funds they receive. As Gift Aid enables the charity to recover the basic rate of tax on your donation, the scheme effectively adds 25p to each £1 you give at no extra cost to you. There are many other ways to give to charity tax-effectively  too, such as by donating straight from your salary (before tax is deducted) through a payroll giving scheme ; donating shares  to charity; or leaving a charitable legacy in your Will. These methods of giving ensure your chosen charities benefit as much as possible from your support, and can result in a lifetime of connection between you and the causes you care about.

4. Giving can reintroduce friends and family to the importance of generosity

Knowing someone who gives to charity can be a catalyst for giving to charity yourself. By giving to charity, you may well be helping to remind friends and family of causes they themselves are passionate about and would like to support.   Your charitable donations could even bring about a family-wide effort to back a charity or charities that have special significance to you as a group. Family giving  creates a bond, helping to bolster relationships through a shared goal and often raises more money than could otherwise be possible through individual donations. Chances are, many of your family members are already giving to charity, so working together could help you to make even more of a positive impact. We can help your family set up a family CAF Charitable Trust  to make coordinating your donations simple and sustainable. Sharing the experience of donating to charity with your children  is also a powerful way of showing them from a young age that they can make positive changes in the world. Children naturally love to help others, so nurturing their innate generosity is likely to mean that they grow up with a greater appreciation of what they have, and will carry on supporting charity and good causes in years to come. If you have children, starting a tradition of donating to charity with them is easy - try creating a family donation box that everyone can add to and nominate a family charity each year, involving the children in choosing which causes to support.

5. Giving to charity builds and strengthens community

The Covid 19 pandemic has encouraged many of us to take a closer look at our local communities and to consider how we can make a difference. Giving to charity, and particularly locally, can be a powerful way to invest in the people and places that make up our everyday lives.  As a member of the various communities, you are likely to be well-placed to identify causes in your community that could benefit from charitable giving and support. You might also have insights into how to donate your money or time to magnify your positive impact and strengthen your community.

If these good reasons – a handful of many – have inspired you to make a donation to charity, we can help. We make it easy to find a charity  that’s working for causes important to you, and can support you whether you want to make a one-off donation , set up a donation plan or find out how to donate your time .

With CAF, giving to the causes you care about is safe and efficient. Whether you wish to make a one-off donation or need support with your long-term giving and philanthropy , we are here to help you maximise your giving and make the impact you wish to create.

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The Power of Giving and Receiving: Which One Is Better?

Giving vs. receiving.

• Are you one of those people who is naturally a giver, a doer, or a caretaker?
• How do you react to receiving compliments? Is it with ease and gratitude, or do you get the urge to deflect and minimize praise?
• What has been your history with receiving love? Does it come with struggle and hardship?

The Importance of Giving

• Give from a place of love.
• Give without expecting anything in return.

The Importance of Receiving

An expanded view of giving and receiving, so which one is better.

• Compliment a stranger.
• Say a silent prayer for someone.
• Send a message of appreciation.
• Give a hug.
• Say “thank you.”
• Give an anonymous gift.

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Giving is receiving: You will benefit yourself, as well as others, by being generous

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The root meaning of philanthropy is “love of mankind,” and Americans demonstrate this annually with almost $500 billion in charity. In 2020, Americans gave $449.64 billion , with almost 70% of donations coming from individuals. One of the unexpected by-products of generosity, perhaps surprisingly, is that the giver receives benefits from giving along with the recipient of the gift. Every time we give, we also receive!

And we are not just talking about tax deductions, though charitable gifts do get those for cash and even more meaningful deductions for appreciated assets like stocks. At the core of every gift is love, and the manifesting of that love benefits the donor himself or herself implicitly.

This is hard to explain, perhaps harder to prove, but the simple act of making even a small gift to a cause or activity whose work you admire and whose objectives you share can unleash a sense of participating in and supporting something that is making the world better, rather than worse. If you do not believe us, try it.

We have distilled this article from a longer one discussing both the whys and benefits of giving, as well as the ways. Whatever your situation, we believe that you will benefit yourself — as well as others — by being generous; and we have seen the proof of this not only in ourselves but also in our clients. If you are a young professional, you should incorporate philanthropy into your life practice along with planning, saving and investing. If you are among the lucky few to have considerable windfalls and personal wealth, then you should understand how charitable giving can enhance your life and your wealth if managed correctly. And when you look at your financial success, you might be asking how it translates into significance. If so, read on.

You can give in a way that suits you best

There is more than one way to make donations. You can donate your time, your expertise and/or your financial assets or other possessions.

If you want to donate time, you can participate by volunteering. Examples might include helping to teach underserved children how to read or do math, serving as a docent at a museum or historical site, helping direct patients in medical clinics or hospitals. If you have management skills, you might serve on the board of a nonprofit, lending your expertise to further a cause or service you believe in. If you want to give financial support, you can send cash or appreciated assets like stocks.

We suggest creating a plan for your philanthropy just as you would for building your wealth, planning for the education of your children, etc. The plan should embody your values and goals. While the options are infinite, we suggest concentrating on those things you genuinely care about with a little concerted work.

At Mindful Money — the financial advisory firm Jonathan DeYoe founded and at which we both work in Berkeley, CA — participating in our community is at the core of what we do. We donate our time by serving on boards. We offer expertise to non-profit organizations by serving on investment committees and helping with capital campaigns. We donate our money by sponsoring organizations and funding projects. And if an organization decides to work with us as a client, we offer discounted fees and we recycle 100% of our profit from that relationship back into our local community.

How to set a giving budget

When you consider philanthropy, your first step will be to set a budget. If you are younger and in the early phases of your career, make charitable gifts from income if you can afford them. As you mature, and as you proceed in your career, your income will grow, hopefully, beyond expenses and beyond the amounts you have already designated to save (for a house, for kids’ schooling, for retirement, etc.). Once you have progressed to this level, you can designate part or all of that surplus for charitable purposes.

Beyond this, when you are established, have more income and more assets, you can begin considering, in special circumstances when you want to make a sizable gift, using both income and assets. When you get to that point, you will be able to make use of many tax provisions regarding the contribution of appreciated assets like stocks, for example, that save you having to pay capital gains taxes and still give you an income tax deduction. There are other vehicles, like charitable lead trusts, that can save on estate taxes.

In unusual circumstances, whatever your age, such as the windfall from an IPO or from the sale of a business, or an inheritance – however it occurs that one comes into unexpected wealth – charitable giving should come from assets as well as income. If you have a high salary and a windfall, you are likely to have a substantial tax bill and some, or much of this, can be offset by gifts to charity, enabling the government to be a partner in your giving, something the tax law incentivizes us to do.

If you have not taken philanthropy seriously before, maybe now is the time?

Identify a cause that is meaningful to you

You have finite resources — even with an IPO windfall. Start with the following questions:

• What am I passionate about?
• What values define my life?
• What “good” needs to be done in this world?

Once you have those basics figured out, drill down a little deeper.

• What specific issues, problems, challenges, populations do I want to address? This might include issues like poverty, economic inequality, problems in the legal system, combatting or curing a disease, environmental issues, global warming, etc. You may also want to focus on particular demographic groups:   the elderly, minorities, young children, animals.
• Do I want to focus my charitable efforts locally, statewide, nationally, internationally?
• Do I focus on one cause or more than one cause?

Think and feel out what is most important to you. What do you genuinely care about and want to involve yourself with? For maximum utility and impact, the task is to identify those high-impact charities that are making a tangible difference.

Our happiest clients – those who lead lives filled with joy and meaning – are those who have:

• Done a comprehensive financial plan.
• Understand the trade-offs they are embracing.
• Are generous with their families.
• Build philanthropic giving into their lifetime financial plans, their family conversations, and their legacy planning.

We have written this review of charitable activity in the hope that you will incorporate generosity as intrinsic to a successful life. Being generous will help you, help your family and your communities. Undertaking to change yourself in this regard will — we are certain — help to change the world for the better.

Note: If you are interested, get in touch  and we can send you the complete article this is adapted from.

Jonathan K. DeYoe is President of DeYoe Wealth Management, Inc dba Mindful Money, a Registered Investment Advisor. He is the author ‘Mindful Money: Simple Practices for Reaching Your Financial Goals and Increasing Your Happiness Dividend.’

David Glotzer is a Wealth Advisor at Mindful Money, a Registered Investment Advisor. He has helped clients with Charitable Remainder Trusts for over two decades, is passionate about ameliorating economic disparity, social justice and preserving the planet for his grandchildren.

You can follow Jonathan at  mindful.money;  on  YouTube ; on  LinkedIn ; on  Facebook ; on  Instagram ; and on  Twitter.

This material is solely for informational purposes. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where DeYoe Wealth Management, Inc. dba Mindful Money and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. No advice may be rendered by DeYoe Wealth Management, Inc. dba Mindful Money unless a client service agreement is in place. Mindful Money is a service mark of DeYoe Wealth Management, Inc. a Registered Investment Adviser.

Sponsored by Mindful Money

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Home — Essay Samples — Philosophy — Virtue Ethics — The Virtue Of Giving

The Virtue of Giving

• Categories: Virtue Ethics

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Published: Jan 25, 2024

Words: 1768 | Pages: 4 | 9 min read

Table of contents

About wounded warrior project, reasons for giving, spiritual and moral aspect, blessings of giving, works cited:.

• Fishman, S. (2015). CHAPTER 5: Charitable Giving—The Basics and Cash Donations. In Every Nonprofit's Tax Guide (pp. 217-257). Nolo.
• Griffith, T. (2016). Make Your Giving Count: Now and in the Future. Business Journal (Central New York), 30(43), 4B.
• Johnson, K., Sheka, K., & Weeden, J. (2015). Give to Get: Magnifying the Impact of Executive Compensation through Charitable Giving. Journal Of Financial Service Professionals, 69(1), 63-72.
• Mandia, L., Kirgan, D., Gooden, K., Vega, M., Ritchie, M., Lloyd, R., & Redman, K. (2016). The Gift of Giving. HR Magazine, 61(10), 50.
• Ward, M. K., & Broniarczyk, S. M. (2013). It's Not Me, It's You: How Gift Giving Creates Giver Identity Threat as a Function of Social Closeness. Journal Of Consumer Research, S270-S287. doi:10.1086/658166
• Wounded Warrior Project (2017). Wounded Warrior Project, Inc. Retrieved from https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/mission/who-we-serve

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5 Benefits of Giving

Posted on 28 November 2017 by Rebecca Taylor - Kent-Teach Advisor in Wellbeing

Giving comes in many different forms such as buying a present for someone, donating to charities or volunteering at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter etc. It has been suggested that when we give to others, the hormone, oxytocin, is released and this induces feelings of warmth, euphoria, and connection to others.

At the beginning of November, my team and I organised an office food collection which was then donated to the Canterbury Food Bank ; it was so lovely to see the large number of people who got involved and we had so much food to donate by the deadline. We all felt pretty good about it too which proved these studies are accurate, giving does make you feel good!

Check out these 5 reasons why we should give more:

1) Giving makes us feel happy

Good feelings are reflected in our biology; when people give, it activates areas of the brain associated with pleasure, social connection and trust, creating a ‘warm glow’ effect. This was evident in Michael Norton’s study (Harvard Business School Professor) where he found participant’s spirits were lifted more through giving money to someone else, despite their predictions where they thought they would feel better receiving. 

2) Giving is good for health 

Reports have shown that giving to others have improved people’s health, particularly those suffering with chronic illness, including HIV and multiple sclerosis. Researchers suggest that the main reason giving can help to improve physical health and longevity is because it helps to decrease stress which is linked to health issues.

Stephanie Brown carried out a study in 2003 on elderly couples where she found that those who provided practical help or emotional support to friends, relatives, spouses or neighbours, had a much lower risk of dying over a five-year period than those who didn’t help at all. Interestingly, receiving help was not linked to a reduced death risk. 

3) Giving helps social connection

When you give to others, your generosity is likely to be reciprocated down the line at some point, sometimes to the person you gave to or someone else. What’s more, giving to others makes you feel closer to those you give to as well as them feel closer to you. 

Lyubomirsky shares in her book, The How of Happiness: “Being kind and generous leads you to perceive others more positively and more charitably,” and this “fosters a heightened sense of interdependence and cooperation in your social community.”

4) Giving evokes gratitude 

Giving can be a way of expressing gratitude or instilling gratitude, whether you are on the giving or receiving end; this gratitude is essential to happiness, health and social bonds. For example, when you do express gratitude in words and actions, you boost other people’s positivity as well as your own. Cultivating this gratitude in everyday life is one of the keys to increasing personal happiness, suggests Happiness Researcher, Barbara Fredrickson.

5) Giving is contagious

When we give to others, this can create a ripple effect and encourage others to do the same consequently increasing generosity through our community. One study showed that observers of generosity encouraged them to be generous later, toward different people. As a result, each person in a network can influence dozens or even hundreds of people, some of whom he or she has not met. 

So your giving is much more than just a year-end chore whether you buy gifts, volunteer your time, or donate money to charity. Giving may help you build stronger social connections and could even encourage a large number of people to give more throughout the community. And don’t be surprised if you find yourself benefiting from a big dose of happiness in the process.

Learning first aid at school can be an important life skill that not only could save lives, but can also help children to become more independent. While most school-aged children are currently out of the classroom due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they can still learn basic first aid techniques by getting creative at home. Here are our top tips to help parents impart vital first aid and health and safety knowledge to children .

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/5_ways_giving_is_good_for_you  

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Measuring the Motives for Charitable Giving

Charitable giving plays an important role in the U.S. economy. In 2016, individuals gave $282 billion to churches, museums, universities, and myriad other institutions. 1 A variety of issues pertaining to donative behavior have been covered in the economics literature. Two of the more important ones have arisen in discussions of the motivations for giving. The first is reciprocity: do people donate because they expect something in return? The second is affinity: what factors influence whether an individual develops a feeling of a community of interest with a charitable institution?

In a series of papers, we have examined these issues through the lens of alumni donations to universities. The determinants of alumni donations are of independent interest because of their importance in university budgets — donations were about $41 billion in 2016 and covered roughly 10 percent of institutions' expenses. 2 Endowments, another source of revenue, are composed in part of previous donations. Cuts in state aid to public universities in recent years and changes in tax incentives for donations embodied in the recent Tax Cuts and Jobs Act have brought questions about voluntary support of higher education to the fore. Further, universities have a unique structure and relationship with their alumni, a relationship that begins when individuals are students and which may extend decades beyond that time. Importantly, the relationships among alumni, solicitors, and the university itself are generally more clearly defined than for most charities. This makes higher education particularly useful for studying how an institution attempts to engender feelings of affinity among potential donors.

Most of the research described here is based on extensive proprietary information we received from a private, selective research university, which we call Anon U. These data included information on alumni such as age, ethnicity, gender, SAT scores, field of study, post-graduate degrees, and family members who also attended Anon U, as well as information on every gift they made to the university after graduation. In addition, the development staff at Anon U provided us with detailed explanations of their solicitation practices.

Reciprocity

Economists have long recognized that people are not entirely selfish; altruism is an important part of human behavior. That said, some charitable behavior is doubtless driven in part by self-interest. In particular, donors might expect something in return for their gift, such as prestige, tangible benefits like gifts or access to social events, and the ability to signal their virtue to others.

The Anon U data allowed us to make a rough estimate of the extent to which donations were due to a particular kind of reciprocity, namely, the hope that donations will help their children gain acceptance to the university. Although Anon U makes no promise whatsoever that donations will increase the likelihood of acceptance, this view that they could is widespread.

To assess the impact of this belief on donative behavior, we examined the relationship between an alumnus' or alumna's giving and the age and application status of his or her children. 3 If alumni believe that donations increase the probability of their children getting admitted, then giving will increase as their children near application age, and vary systematically with whether they apply and are accepted. We call this pattern "the child-cycle of alumni giving."

Figure 1 illustrates the child-cycle pattern generated by our Anon U data. The amount donated to the university is plotted as a function of the alumnus' or alumna's eldest child's age, relative to alumni who have no children. Those with a child donate more even when the child is very young, possibly because alumni with children have more interest in education in general. At age 14, we divide the sample between those whose children eventually apply to Anon U and those who do not. Giving increases sharply for the parents of future applicants, while it remains unchanged for the parents of non-applicants. At age 18, we divide the sample of applicants into those who were accepted and those who were rejected. Giving by parents of rejected applicants drops dramatically — back to the level of childless alumni. All of this is consistent with the notion that an expectation of reciprocity is driving at least some donations. This finding is supported by Kristin Butcher, Caitlin Kearns, and Patrick McEwan's study of data on giving at a women's college. 4 They also find that giving follows the child-cycle pattern and that alumnae with female children, who hence were feasible candidates for admission, gave more than those whose children were male, other things being the same.

To investigate further the notion that reciprocity influences donation decisions, we examined the proportion of alumni parents' giving that was directed toward specific purposes, such as athletic teams. We found a strong increase in such directed giving when their children were attending the university and a strong decrease after graduation, suggesting that parents were financing their child's own activities, and providing more evidence of self-interested motivations for giving. Related research using field experiments also shows that donors to universities are responsive to opportunities to direct their giving to specific causes. 5

Our back-of-the-envelope calculations suggest that about half of giving by alumni whose children apply to Anon U is due to self-interest driven by hopes for reciprocity for their children. This is a lower bound for the overall role of self-interest, though, because our data do not allow us to discern other, non-child-related motivations.

A rather different type of reciprocity arises in the context of financial aid. Recipients of financial aid may feel gratitude toward their alma mater and therefore "give back" later in life. But they may also feel resentment, particularly if the aid comes in the form of student loans. The obligation to repay such loans, of course, can also reduce the capacity of alumni to donate.

We analyzed the relationship between giving and financial aid and found that the presence of a student loan per se decreases the probability of making a gift. 6 In addition, the amount donated falls with the size of the loan. We show that these effects are unlikely to be driven by lower income, but rather may reflect annoyance with loans that reduces affinity for the school. Scholarships, on the other hand, have no impact on the likelihood of giving. With respect to the amount given, we find that scholarship recipients give less conditionally on making a donation than their non-scholarship counterparts. At the same time, though, the amount donated does increase with the size of the scholarship, suggesting that reciprocity plays a role.

Reciprocal behavior can be driven by social pressure as well. 7 This hypothesis is challenging to investigate, though, because social relationships are rarely random. A correlation in giving within a social network might be driven by common interests that lead to self-selection into that group. Thus, for example, observing that a person fundraises for a charity and his or her friends donate to that charity does not necessarily mean that their giving was driven by a desire to avoid social pressure. At Anon U, however, freshman-year roommates are assigned in a manner that is random with respect to any characteristics that could plausibly affect later-life giving.

Common experiences as roommates could create a spurious correlation between volunteering as a solicitor for the university by one roommate and giving by another. In that case, though, there would be a correlation between volunteering in any capacity for the university, including activities with no solicitation component, and giving by roommates. The processes that Anon U employs for organizing its volunteering and solicitation activities turn out to provide a useful framework for addressing this concern. Solicitations are generally impersonal, through letters and emails, until June, the last month of the fiscal year. At that point, alumni volunteers call classmates to raise funds for the university. High affinity for the school due to common experiences would lead to higher giving throughout the year; elevated giving only in June strongly suggests a response to social pressure.

As illustrated in Figure 2, this is precisely the pattern that emerges. Having a former freshman-year roommate who volunteers in a non-solicitation capacity for the university has no impact on giving, while having a solicitor roommate increases giving by about 10 percent. Importantly, this effect is limited to donations made during the time when personal solicitations are conducted. Furthermore, giving is elevated in the years in which one's former freshman-year roommate is a solicitor, compared to those in which he or she is not. In follow-on work, we also find that direct, personal solicitations can have an impact even after multiple impersonal solicitations, further demonstrating the impact of social pressure. 8

Finally, a field experiment at Texas A&M University conducted by one of us (Meer) with Catherine Eckel and David Herberich examines whether gifts to prospective donors from a charity — so-called donor premiums — increase donations by creating a desire or a sense of obligation to respond to a subsequent solicitation. 9 On the other hand, distaste for the costs associated with this solicitations strategy could reduce giving. 10

We randomly assigned a group of alumni to a number of treatments. Some were sent unconditional gifts included in the solicitation — Texas A&M luggage tags — while others were offered a gift conditional on their donation, with some having the option to opt out of the luggage tag. A control group was solicited with no gift offer. Responses were higher for those who were sent a gift on the front end than for those who were not, but not nearly enough to make up the cost. The promise of a gift had no impact on the size of donations. Few took the opportunity to decline the conditional offer when making a gift, suggesting that donors do place value on these gifts.

Our discussion so far has mentioned at several points the importance of affinity for a charity as a motivation for giving. We next turn to how universities form that affinity.

Creating Affinity for the Long Term

Universities can form stronger bonds with individuals earlier in life than most charities, a built-in advantage that enables long-term relationships. In several papers we have investigated the factors that engender affinities between a university and its alumni. At Anon U, participation in the majority social culture as an undergraduate, such as playing a varsity sport or belonging to social organizations such as sororities and fraternities, is strongly correlated with future giving.

The large role played by athletics at U.S. universities, often justified on the grounds that it leads to greater alumni engagement, led us to investigate this question in greater depth. 11 While previous work has focused on whether big-time sports like football and basketball impact giving, 12 we looked at the success of the team to which the alumnus or alumna actually belonged. For men, having won a conference championship as an undergraduate tended to increase future giving, primarily to the athletic fund, as opposed to the general fund, while there was little effect for women. After graduation, when an alumnus' former team won a conference championship, on average he increased giving to both the general and athletic funds, while for alumnae, there was no impact.

Football and basketball conference championships did little to increase giving, though we note that Anon U does not generally have a high profile in those sports. At schools with more visible football and basketball programs, the effects of success for those teams might be larger and more robust. Nevertheless, there is no reason to believe that former athletes at such institutions fail to develop an affinity for their own teams — our results on the importance of own-team championships could very well generalize. To the extent that this is true and universities care about turning their undergraduates into future donors, it would seem that universities should nurture broad varsity athletic programs.

Dovetailing with our work on the child-cycle of giving, we also examined whether families form bonds with universities that lead to greater overall donations, a frequent justification for legacy preferences in admissions. 13 We find that alumni whose children, nieces, or nephews attended Anon U donate substantially more than alumni who do not have a member of the younger generation attend. On the other hand, while alumni whose parents, aunts, or uncles attended Anon U donate more than their classmates whose relatives did not, the effect is smaller. And having a grandparent who attended Anon U does little to change giving.

Affinity for the university may induce donations for a few years after graduation, when memories are fresh. But universities want alumni to continue to donate even long after they have completed their studies, especially as they reach their peak earning years. This leads to the important question of whether giving when young has an independent effect on giving later in life: is charitable giving habit-forming? University fundraisers at many institutions certainly seem to believe that it is. They devote considerable resources to inducing young alumni to give even token sums, in the hope that they will continue to do so, and in greater amounts, later in life. In the Anon U data, there is a strong correlation between the probabilities of giving when young and later in life. But such a correlation by itself is not enough to demonstrate that habit formation is important in this context.

In order to identify the presence of a habit-formation effect, we require some variable that exerts a transitory effect on giving that is uncorrelated with the alumnus' or alumna's own general tendency to donate. The two considerations discussed above — having a former freshman-year roommate who is a solicitor, and athletic performance of an alumnus' former varsity sports team — fit the bill. Examining the giving patterns induced by these external inducements to donate allows us to isolate the impact of donative behavior when young on giving when older. 14 Estimates that fail to account for unobserved affinity suggest that the amount of giving when young drives giving when older. However, after correcting for spurious correlation, we find that the frequency of donating when young is the more important determinant of the size of gifts made in later years.

Another dataset, the survey of Giving and Volunteering in the United States, permits further exploration of habit formation. These data allow us to estimate the relationship between engaging in fundraising and volunteering at age 18 or younger and giving and volunteering as an adult. 15 Controlling for the volunteerism of parents helps reduce spurious correlation driven by family factors that could induce an individual to exhibit altruistic behavior when young and when older. Both fundraising and volunteering when young have a substantial positive impact on the likelihood of donating and the amount given as an adult. This relationship holds across all types of charities, including education-related ones. Once again, this provides suggestive evidence of habit formation in charitable giving.

Even in the presence of the interaction between the affinities developed early in life and habit formation, giving tends to drop off as alumni enter old age. Indeed, virtually all statistical analyses of charitable behavior suggest a negative relationship between old age and giving. 16 We examine late-life giving to Anon U to investigate the mechanisms behind this empirical regularity. To do so, we supplement our data with information extracted from obituaries published in the alumni magazine. Since we know when an alumnus or alumna passed away and, in many cases, the cause of death, we can separately determine the impact of age and of the approach of death. We replicate the negative relationship between age and donations found in the literature, but show that it is driven primarily by approaching mortality. We argue that our results are unlikely to reflect reduced resources at the end of life, but rather the diminished capacity or distractions of a final illness. Given the aging of the Baby Boom generation, inter vivos end-of-life donations and bequests will likely play a substantial role in the financing of charities over the next two decades.

Researchers

More from nber.

Giving USA, "Total Charitable Donations Rise to New High of $390.05 Billion," June 12, 2017, https://bit.ly/2spZqlL  

Council for Aid to Education, "Colleges and Universities Raise $41 Billion in 2016," February 7, 2017,   

J. Meer and H. Rosen, "Altruism and the Child-Cycle of Alumni Giving," NBER Working Paper 13152 , June 2007, and published as "Altruism and the Child Cycle of Alumni Donations," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy , 1(1), 2009, pp. 258–86.  

K. Butcher, C. Kearns, and P. McEwan, "Giving Till it Helps? Alumnae Giving and Children’s College Options," Research in Higher Education , 54(5), 2013, pp. 481–98.  

C. Eckel, D. Herberich, and J. Meer, "A Field Experiment on Directed Giving at a Public University," NBER Working Paper 20180 , May 2014, and Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics , 66, 2017, pp. 66–71.  

J. Meer and H. Rosen, "Does Generosity Beget Generosity? Alumni Giving and Undergraduate Financial Aid," NBER Working Paper 17861 , February 2012, and Economics of Education Review , 31(6), 2012, pp. 890–907.  

J. Meer, "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime: Peer Pressure in Charitable Solicitation," Journal of Public Economics , 95(7-8), 2011, pp. 926–41.  

J. Meer and H. Rosen, "The ABCs of Charitable Solicitation," NBER Working Paper 15037 , June 2009, and Journal of Public Economics , 95(5-6), 2011, pp. 363–71.  

C. Eckel, D. Herberich, and J. Meer, "It's Not the Thought That Counts: A Field Experiment on Gift Exchange and Giving at a Public University," NBER Working Paper 22867 , November 2016, and forthcoming in The Economics of Philanthropy .  

J. Meer, "Effects of the Price of Charitable Giving: Evidence from an Online Crowdfunding Platform," NBER Working Paper 19082 , May 2013, and Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization , 103, 2014, pp. 113–24.

J. Meer and H. Rosen, "The Impact of Athletic Performance on Alumni Giving: An Analysis of Micro Data," NBER Working Paper 13937 , April 2008, and Economics of Education Review , 28(3), 2009, pp. 287–94.  

J. Martinez, J. Stinson, M. Kang, and C. Jubenville, "Intercollegiate Athletics and Institutional Fundraising: A Meta-Analysis," Sports Marketing Quarterly , 19(1), 2010, pp. 36–47.  

J. Meer and H. Rosen, "Family Bonding With Universities," NBER Working Paper 15493 , November 2009, and Research in Higher Education , 51(7), 2010, pp. 641–58.  

J. Meer, "The Habit of Giving," Economic Inquiry , 51(4), 2013, pp. 2002–17.  

H. Rosen and S. Sims, "Altruistic Behavior and Habit Formation," Nonprofit Management & Leadership , 21(3), 2011, pp. 235–53.

J. Meer and H. Rosen, "Donative Behavior at the End of Life," NBER Working Paper 19145 , June 2013, and Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization , 92, 2013, pp. 192–201.

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Essay on Values for Students and Children

500+ words essay on values.

Importance of Values

For an individual, values are most important. An individual with good values is loved by everyone around as he is compassionate about others and also he behaves ethically.

Values Help in Decision Making

A person is able to judge what is right and what is wrong based on the values he imbibes. In life at various steps, it makes the decision-making process easier. A person with good values is always likely to make better decisions than others.

Values Can Give Direction to Our Life

In life, Values give us clear goals. They always tell us how we should behave and act in different situations and give the right direction to our life. In life, a person with good values can take better charge.

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Values Can Build Character

If a person wants a strong character, then he has to possesses good values such as honesty , loyalty, reliability, efficiency, consistency, compassion, determination, and courage. Values always help in building our character.

Values Can Help in Building a Society

If u want a better society then people need to bear good values. Values play an important role in society. They only need to do their hard work, with compassion, honesty, and other values. Such people will help in the growth of society and make it a much better place to live.

Characteristics of Values

Values are always based on various things. While the basic values remain the same across cultures and are intact since centuries some values may vary. Values may be specific to a society or age. In the past, it was considered that women with good moral values must stay at home and not voice their opinion on anything but however, this has changed over time. Our culture and society determine the values to a large extent. We imbibe values during our childhood years and they remain with us throughout our life.

Family always plays the most important role in rendering values to us. Decisions in life are largely based on the values we possess. Values are permanent and seldom change. A person is always known by the values he possesses. The values of a person always reflect on his attitude and overall personality.

The Decline of Values in the Modern Times

While values are of great importance and we are all aware of the same unfortunately people these days are so engrossed in making money and building a good lifestyle that they often overlook the importance of values. At the age when children must be taught good values, they are taught to fight and survive in this competitive world. Their academics and performance in other activities are given importance over their values.

Parents , as well as teachers, teach them how to take on each other and win by any means instead of inculcating good sportsman spirit in them and teaching them values such as integrity, compassion, and patience. Children always look up to their elders as their role models and it is unfortunate that elders these days have a lack of values. Therefore the children learn the same.

In order to help him grow into a responsible and wise human being, it is important for people to realize that values must be given topmost priority in a child’s life because children are the future of the society. There can be nothing better in a society where a majority of people have good values and they follow the ethical norms.

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Guest Essay

When I Became a Birder, Almost Everything Else Fell Into Place

Mr. Yong is a science writer whose most recent book, “An Immense World,” investigates animal perception.

Last September, I drove to a protected wetland near my home in Oakland, Calif., walked to the end of a pier and started looking at birds. Throughout the summer, I was breaking in my first pair of binoculars, a Sibley field guide and the Merlin song-identification app, but always while hiking or walking the dog. On that pier, for the first time, I had gone somewhere solely to watch birds.

In some birding circles, people say that anyone who looks at birds is a birder — a kind, inclusive sentiment that overlooks the forces that create and shape subcultures. Anyone can dance, but not everyone would identify as a dancer, because the term suggests, if not skill, then at least effort and intent. Similarly, I’ve cared about birds and other animals for my entire life, and I’ve written about them throughout my two decades as a science writer, but I mark the moment when I specifically chose to devote time and energy to them as the moment I became a birder.

Since then, my birder derangement syndrome has progressed at an alarming pace. Seven months ago, I was still seeing very common birds for the first time. Since then, I’ve seen 452 species, including 337 in the United States, and 307 this year alone. I can reliably identify a few dozen species by ear. I can tell apart greater and lesser yellowlegs, house and purple finches, Cooper’s and sharp-shinned hawks. (Don’t talk to me about gulls; I’m working on the gulls.) I keep abreast of eBird’s rare bird alerts and have spent many days — some glorious, others frustrating — looking for said rare birds. I know what it means to dip, to twitch, to pish . I’ve gone owling.

I didn’t start from scratch. A career spent writing about nature gave me enough avian biology and taxonomy to roughly know the habitats and silhouettes of the major groups. Journalism taught me how to familiarize myself with unfamiliar territory very quickly. I crowdsourced tips on the social media platform Bluesky . I went out with experienced birders to learn how they move through a landscape and what cues they attend to.

I studied up on birds that are famously difficult to identify so that when I first saw them in the field, I had an inkling of what they were without having to check a field guide. I used the many tools now available to novices: EBird shows where other birders go and reveals how different species navigate space and time; Merlin is best known as an identification app but is secretly an incredible encyclopedia; Birding Quiz lets you practice identifying species based on fleeting glances at bad angles.

This all sounds rather extra, and birding is often defined by its excesses. At its worst, it becomes an empty process of collection that turns living things into abstract numbers on meaningless lists. But even that style of birding is harder without knowledge. To find the birds, you have to know them. And in the process of knowing them, much else falls into place.

Birding has tripled the time I spend outdoors. It has pushed me to explore Oakland in ways I never would have: Amazing hot spots lurk within industrial areas, sewage treatment plants and random residential parks. It has proved more meditative than meditation. While birding, I seem impervious to heat, cold, hunger and thirst. My senses focus resolutely on the present, and the usual hubbub in my head becomes quiet. When I spot a species for the first time — a lifer — I course with adrenaline while being utterly serene.

I also feel a much deeper connection to the natural world, which I have long written about but always remained slightly distant from. I knew that the loggerhead shrike — a small but ferocious songbird — impales the bodies of its prey on spikes. I’ve now seen one doing that with my own eyes. I know where to find the shrikes and what they sound like. Countless fragments of unrooted trivia that rattled around my brain are now grounded in place, time and experience.

When I step out my door in the morning, I take an aural census of the neighborhood, tuning in to the chatter of creatures that were always there and that I might have previously overlooked. The passing of the seasons feels more granular, marked by the arrival and disappearance of particular species instead of much slower changes in day length, temperature and greenery. I find myself noticing small shifts in the weather and small differences in habitat. I think about the tides.

So much more of the natural world feels close and accessible now. When I started birding, I remember thinking that I’d never see most of the species in my field guide. Sure, backyard birds like robins and western bluebirds would be easy, but not black skimmers or peregrine falcons or loggerhead shrikes. I had internalized the idea of nature as distant and remote — the province of nature documentaries and far-flung vacations. But in the past six months, I’ve seen soaring golden eagles, heard duetting great horned owls, watched dancing sandhill cranes and marveled at diving Pacific loons, all within an hour of my house. “I’ll never see that” has turned into “Where can I find that?”

Of course, having the time to bird is an immense privilege. As a freelancer, I have total control over my hours and my ability to get out in the field. “Are you a retiree?” a fellow birder recently asked me. “You’re birding like a retiree.” I laughed, but the comment spoke to the idea that things like birding are what you do when you’re not working, not being productive.

I reject that. These recent years have taught me that I’m less when I’m not actively looking after myself, that I have value to my world and my community beyond ceaseless production and that pursuits like birding that foster joy, wonder and connection to place are not sidebars to a fulfilled life but their essence.

It’s easy to think of birding as an escape from reality. Instead, I see it as immersion in the true reality. I don’t need to know who the main characters are on social media and what everyone is saying about them, when I can instead spend an hour trying to find a rare sparrow. It’s very clear to me which of those two activities is the more ridiculous. It’s not the one with the sparrow.

More of those sparrows are imminent. I’m about to witness my first spring migration as warblers and other delights pass through the Bay Area. Birds I’ve seen only in drab grays are about to don their spectacular breeding plumages. Familiar species are about to burst out in new tunes that I’ll have to learn. I have my first lazuli bunting to see, my first blue grosbeak to find, my first least terns to photograph. I can’t wait.

Ed Yong is a science writer whose most recent book, “An Immense World,” investigates animal perception.

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Discover Why Giving Is Important: Enrich Your Life Today

Aurora Simon

Do you ever wonder why giving is important aspect of the human experience? It may seem counterintuitive, but giving can enrich your life in more ways than one. Giving back to others and the larger community benefits those in need and can improve your well-being and quality of life.

Table of Contents

Studies have shown that giving to others can increase happiness, satisfaction, and overall well-being. When you give to others, your brain releases chemicals such as dopamine and oxytocin, making you feel good and reducing stress and anxiety.

Beyond the personal benefits, giving can have a transformative impact on communities and society. Individuals who come together to give back can create positive change and make a difference. Giving can inspire others to do the same and create a ripple effect of generosity and kindness that can benefit all.

So why is giving meaningful? It allows us to connect with others, show empathy, and make a significant impact. Whether through acts of charity, volunteering, or simply helping, giving can enrich our lives and make the world a better place.

The Power of Giving: Transforming Lives and Communities

It’s no secret that giving can profoundly impact the world around us. Whether donating money to a charity, volunteering at a local shelter, or simply lending a helping hand to a neighbor in need, every act of giving can transform lives and communities.

Studies have shown that giving can positively affect both the giver and the recipient. When we give, we experience a sense of connection, purpose, and satisfaction that comes from knowing we’ve made a difference in someone else’s life.

One of the most powerful aspects of giving is its ability to create a ripple effect. When we give to others, we inspire them to give as well, creating a chain reaction of generosity that can impact countless lives.

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The Impact of Giving: Transforming Lives and Communities

“Giving is not just about making a donation. It’s about making a difference.” – Kathy Calvin

When we give, we have the power to create real and lasting change in the world around us. Whether it’s supporting a cause we believe in, volunteering our time and resources, or simply showing kindness and compassion to those in need, every act of giving has the potential to transform lives and communities.

Through giving, we can create a better world for ourselves and for future generations. We can build stronger, more connected communities and inspire others to join us to improve the world.

So if you’re looking to enrich your life and positively impact the world, consider giving back in whatever way you can. Whether it’s through small acts of kindness or larger charitable efforts, every act of giving has the potential to make a difference.

Giving and Personal Growth: A Pathway to Self-Discovery

Giving is not only about positively impacting others and the world around us. It is also a powerful tool for personal growth and self-discovery.

When we give to others, we better understand ourselves and our values. It allows us to tap into our compassion and empathy and connect with others meaningfully.

Research has shown that giving back can also lead to increased happiness and fulfillment in life. The act of giving triggers the release of endorphins, also known as the “feel-good” hormones, which can boost our mood and overall well-being.

There are many reasons why people choose to give. Some may feel a sense of responsibility or duty to help those in need. Others may be motivated by the desire to impact the world positively or to honor the memory of a loved one.

No matter what the reason, giving back can be a transformative experience that leads to personal growth and self-discovery. It allows us to step outside of ourselves and to connect with something larger than ourselves.

So if you’re looking for a way to enrich your life and positively impact the world around you, consider giving back. You may be surprised at how much you gain in the process.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill

As Winston Churchill so eloquently put it, giving back is not just about what we get in return – it’s about creating a life that is rich with meaning and purpose. So take the time to reflect on what truly matters to you, and find ways to give back that align with your values and passions.

The Ripple Effect of Generosity: Inspiring Others to Give

Have you ever witnessed an act of kindness that inspired you to do something kind for someone else? That’s the ripple effect of generosity in action.

Giving back to your community or showing kindness to a stranger can have a powerful impact on those around you. Your actions can inspire others to do the same, creating a chain reaction of generosity and positivity.

One study found that participants who witnessed an act of kindness were likelier to perform it themselves. This shows that even small gestures can have a ripple effect and make a big impact.

But the ripple effect of generosity goes beyond just inspiring others to give. It can also create a sense of community and improve relationships.

When people come together to support a cause or help one another, they form a bond that goes beyond just the act of giving. They become part of something bigger than themselves and feel a sense of belonging and purpose.

“Generosity is contagious. If you’re generous with your time, your money, your energy, you’ll inspire others to do the same.”

So, next time you’re thinking about giving back, remember that your actions can have a ripple effect. You never know who you might inspire or how far the kindness will spread.

Giving as an Expression of Gratitude: Cultivating Thankfulness

Giving can be a powerful way to express gratitude and cultivate a sense of thankfulness. When we give to others, we show appreciation for what we have and acknowledge the blessings in our lives.

Studies have shown that giving to others can increase our happiness and well-being. It can also help us develop a more positive outlook on life and foster feelings of empathy and compassion.

One way to incorporate giving into our lives is by volunteering our time or resources to those in need. This can be a meaningful way to express gratitude and give back to the community.

Another way to cultivate a giving mindset is by practicing small acts of kindness daily. This can include something as simple as holding the door open for someone or offering encouragement.

By focusing on the positive aspects of our lives and expressing gratitude through giving, we can create a ripple effect of positivity and inspire others to do the same. As Maya Angelou once said, “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”

Giving Back to the Community: Creating a Better World

Contributing to the community is one of the most fulfilling ways to give. Giving back can come in many forms, whether donating to a local charity, volunteering at a shelter, or organizing a community event. Giving back not only benefits those in need, but it can also strengthen the community as a whole.

The impact of giving back can be seen in the way it strengthens social bonds and fosters a sense of unity among community members. It can also provide opportunities for personal growth and development, as individuals learn new skills and gain valuable experiences through volunteerism and community service.

By giving back to the community, individuals have the power to create a better world for future generations. Small acts of kindness can have a ripple effect, inspiring others to give back as well and creating a culture of generosity and compassion.

Examples of Community Giving

There are countless examples of individuals and organizations making a positive impact through community giving. The following are just a few:

• Random Acts of Flowers: This non-profit organization collects and repurposes flowers from weddings and other events to create bouquets for hospital patients and nursing home residents.
• City Harvest: New York City’s largest food rescue organization, City Harvest collects excess food from restaurants and stores and distributes it to those in need.
• Team Rubicon: A disaster relief organization made up of military veterans and first responders, Team Rubicon provides aid and assistance to communities affected by natural disasters.

These organizations and countless others demonstrate the power of giving back to the community and the positive change it can create. By supporting the community, we can create a better world for all.

Overcoming Barriers to Giving: Finding the Will and Means

Giving back can be a challenge, particularly when we face obstacles that discourage us from doing so. Below, we explore some common barriers to giving and provide strategies for overcoming them:

Remember, giving back doesn’t have to be a burden. By finding the will and means to give, we can overcome these barriers and experience the joy and fulfillment that comes with helping others.

Teaching the Value of Giving: Nurturing Generosity in Future Generations

One of the most important things we can do for the future of our society is to instill a giving mindset in our children and future generations. By teaching the value of giving, we can nurture generosity and empathy, ensuring a brighter and more compassionate world for everyone.

Children learn by example, and by modeling giving behaviors ourselves, we can show them the positive impact of generosity. Whether it’s volunteering at a local charity or donating money to a cause we believe in, our actions can inspire and guide children to become giving individuals as well.

It’s also important to provide opportunities for children to give back on their own. Encouraging them to donate a portion of their allowance to a charity or participate in a community service project helps them develop a sense of responsibility and ownership over their actions.

We should also teach children the importance of gratitude and giving as an expression of thankfulness. By cultivating a mindset of gratitude, children can recognize all the good in their lives and be inspired to give back to those who may be less fortunate.

“No one has ever become poor by giving.” – Anne Frank

By nurturing generosity in future generations, we can create a world where giving back is a natural and valued part of daily life. Together, we can inspire positive change and make a difference, one act of kindness at a time.

Cultivating a Giving Mindset: Small Acts of Kindness, Big Impact

While grand gestures of giving can certainly make a significant impact, it’s important to remember that even small acts of kindness can profoundly affect others. By cultivating a giving mindset and incorporating small acts of generosity into our daily lives, we can create a ripple effect of positivity and kindness.

One way to cultivate a giving mindset is to practice gratitude. Take a few moments each day to reflect on what you are thankful for and consider how to extend that gratitude to others. Maybe it’s a simple thank-you note to a co-worker or a compliment to a stranger. These small acts of kindness can have a big impact on someone’s day.

Volunteering in your community is another way to incorporate giving into your daily life. Whether it’s helping at a local food bank or reading to children at a library, giving back in your community can foster a greater sense of connection and empathy.

It’s also important to remember that giving doesn’t always have to involve money or material possessions. Donating your time, skills, or expertise can be just as valuable to others. Consider offering to mentor someone in your field or volunteering your time to a non-profit organization that aligns with your passions.

By cultivating a giving mindset, we not only make a positive impact on others, but we also benefit ourselves. Studies have shown that giving to others can increase our overall sense of happiness and fulfillment in life.

Remember, even small acts of kindness can have a big impact. By incorporating giving into our daily lives, we can create a more compassionate and connected world.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Why Giving Is Important

Are you curious about giving and how to positively impact the world? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions related to giving:

What is giving?

Giving refers to the act of donating time, resources, or money to others without expecting anything in return. It can take many forms, such as volunteer work, charitable donations, or random acts of kindness.

Why is giving meaningful?

Giving is important because it has numerous benefits for both the givers and recipients. It can increase happiness and fulfillment in life, strengthen community bonds, and create positive change in the world.

What are some ways to give back to the community?

There are many ways to give back to the community, such as volunteering for local organizations, donating to charities, or participating in community service projects. You can also support small businesses and organizations in your neighborhood or spread kindness and positivity wherever you go.

How can giving cultivate gratitude and appreciation?

Giving can cultivate gratitude and appreciation by encouraging individuals to focus on the positive aspects of life and to express thankfulness for what they have. By practicing generosity and empathy towards others, we can develop a greater sense of appreciation for the world around us.

What are some barriers to giving, and how can they be overcome?

Common barriers to giving include financial constraints, time constraints, and lack of motivation. These barriers can be overcome by setting realistic goals, prioritizing giving in your life, and finding ways to make giving more enjoyable and fulfilling.

How can we instill a giving mindset in future generations?

We can instill a giving mindset in future generations by setting a positive example ourselves, emphasizing the importance of empathy and generosity, and encouraging young people to get involved in volunteer work and charitable causes.

Remember, giving doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. Even small acts of kindness can have a significant impact on others and contribute to a more compassionate society. So go out there and spread some love and generosity today!

About the author

With an enduring passion for human potential, I have dedicated my life to learning, growing, and most importantly, empowering others to discover their own unique paths to self-improvement. As a personal development blogger, I distill the wisdom gathered from various life experiences, books, seminars, and thought leaders to provide you with actionable insights and tools for your own growth. I believe that each one of us is capable of extraordinary things, and my mission is to help you unlock that potential. Join me on this journey of self-discovery, and together let’s cultivate a life filled with purpose, fulfillment, and joy. You can contact us here.

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Trump stock (djt) is overvalued-but you might be crazy to short it.

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 20: Donald Trump (L) speaks with Frank Zarb, former CEO of the Nasdaq Stock ... [+] Market, before opening the Nasdaq Market September 20, 2005 in New York City. Trump listed Trump Entertainment Resorts with Nasdaq. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Getty Images)

Dumb Money was a movie based on a true, David vs Goliath tale, that pitted small, retail stock investors against deep pocketed Wall Street titans. GameStop was the preferred stock of choice. In this story an assembly of small, “naive” investors clobbered the savvy billionaires thanks to a“short squeeze” play utilizing an investments column on Reddit and gutsy resolve among a broad-based contingent. Ultimately, the humbled rich guys, recouped some of their losses, but not without some battle scars, and a few lessons on how to properly track the number of days to cover a short position. It is now 3 years later and the shorts are at it again. This time the stock of choice belongs to Former President Donald Trump, known as Trump Media & Technology Group (NASDAQ Ticker: DJT). In place of the Reddit crowd, we have fervent Trump loyalists who are scattered around the country in mostly rural areas. They love their guy, and unlike most “investors”, may not really care about making money. With a current stock price near $40, DJT sells for a 33% discount to the Trump bible and provides him with more money. It would not take much for this group to rally and cause serious pain to the shorts. As an important note, shorts are exposed to unlimited losses and have a steep entry fee to play their “game”. DJT is shaping up to be another GameStop saga (GameStop II or Dumber Money?). Despite all temptations, this is a good stock to avoid—on both sides. The risk is simply too high.

To be clear, Donald Trump’s name elicits strong emotion—both positive and negative. When it comes to publicly-traded stocks, polarized emotion can either be very good or very bad for a stock price. In the case of DJT, both are on visible display. Irrespective of Trump’s NY real estate holdings, global hotels, TV and book royalties and other miscellaneous business interests, it his recent stock transaction that has become the cornerstone to his total net worth holdings. During the past few weeks his net worth has soared more than $3-4 Billion raising his net worth from $2B to $6B. Moreover, the SEC S4 filings make clear, that if the stock price remains above $17.50 for 20 out of 30 trading days, Mr Trump will receive an additional 36 million “earnout” or bonus shares. Based on recent prevailing stock prices in the range of $45-$50, these earnout shares could be worth an additional $1.5 to $2 Billion. Consequently, his special stock earnout clause will go into effect, unless his stock drops by more than 63% from current levels in a few weeks.

Ironically, just a few weeks ago the former president was under severe financial pressure, with $454 million in fines, penalties and judgements and was seemingly on the brink of default. Now, in less than 1 month, Mr Trump’s wealth has potentially quadruppled from approximately $2 billion to as much as $8 billion. This is an extraordinary turn of events and there are few, if any, on the planet who have experienced a net worth gain approaching this much during the same time period. It all happened precisely when he needed it most and his back was against the wall. Irrespective of whether you love him or hate him, there can be no denying that the former president has been blessed with good timing and luck. Certainly in this case, his fortuitious, sky rocketing stock fortune bailed him out. At least temporarily...

It is worthwhile to examine the underlying components of his recent wealth creation. To most industry observers it is an overpriced facade due to crumble and wreak havoc on those who have supported an inflated valuation.

At the very least, the stock, Trump Media & Technology Group (NASDAQ Ticker: DJT), has exceeded all normal stock valuation metrics. From a traditional valuation perspective, there is no publicly traded company, out of 66,000 publicly-traded companies that we examine on Bloomberg or Capital IQ, that can compare to this stock. To be clear, there is nothing even close.

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To properly analyse the DJT stock price, it may be helpful to provide a few background facts of how the Trump Media & Technology Group came to be a publicly-traded company. The story begins with a special purpose acquisition corporation (SPAC) known as Digital World Acquisition Corp (DWAC) that launched in September, 2021. This “Sponsor” company raised $287.5 Million with the intent to later acquire a target company. SEC records show that some controversy surrounded the timing of the offer (strict rule that SPACs could not be formed with the intent to buy a specific target) as well as the timing of some insider trades. But this information regarding impropriety is an important, albeit, side detail in the larger picture.

In the month following the DWAC launch, a Letter of intent (LOI) was extended to Trump Media for $875 Million (total enterprise value of $1.2 billion). The offer was somewhat surprising for a number of reasons. First, the SPAC ownership was created with the help of ARC capital, a Chinese-based company that had a prior history with SEC investigations associated with misrepresenting shell companies. Second, the valuation of the initial offer at $875 Million, was a stretch based on any traditional valuation metric. And third, as discussed above, the timing of the SPAC formation and LOI offer led to an SEC investigation with associated fines/penalties imposed.

Once the target company (Trump Media) accepts the LOI offer to merge with a public SPAC sponsor company, there are many preparations required prior to announcing a public business combination agreement (BCA). At the time of the BCA announcement the sponsor company typically seeks an independent group to provide a “Fairness Opinion” on the offer price to ensure that there is some oversight and protection for the shareholders. The “Fairness Opinion” is submited to the Board of Directors of the Sponsor group, who have a legal obligation to protect the interest of all shareholders including insiders (Class B) as well as public shareholders (Class A). Since there is the potential for a conflict of interest, the BOD seeks a layer of protection from a group of established experts, who ideally possess impeccable credentials, credibility and industry experience. This group evaluates the target company and provides an independent view on the appropriateness of the offer price. Notably, “Fairness Opinions” were not mandatory several years ago when the Digital World Acquisition Corporation first created its SPAC and placed a target price on Trump Media. Nowadays, due in large part to overly optimistic growth projections by target companies undergoing a SPAC transaction, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is more focused on inflated valuations and target growth projections. To this point, the SEC documents do not disclose that any Fairness Opinion was ever provided for the Trump Media target, and it is highly doubtful that any credible expert would be able to easily justify or support the original $875 Million price ($1.2 Billion total enterprise value).

The valuation of DJT, based on traditional metrics, is a relatively straight forward exercise. SEC documents show that Trump Media expected monthly active user growth ranging from 58% to 33% for the first four years along with revenue growth of 90% to 55%. Importantly, expected enterprise to revenue multiples ranged from 26.8x to 13.3x for years one through five sequentially. To put the valuation in perspective, the enterprise to forward (next period) revenue valuation multiple for other social media companies such as: Meta, Twitter, Pinterest, Snapchat, Reddit or Tencent ranges from 8.0 to 3.6. Trump Media has a TEV (total enterprise value) to Revenue multiple (based on 4/4/24 price) of 984 or 123x to 273x more than other social media companies. This implies that Trump Media (DJT) is currently valued at a massive premium to other well known social media companies . To put this another way, based on the current $3.4 million in revenue and expected growth rate of 90%, they would have approximately $6.4m in revenue for next perod. Utilizing the forward TEV of Meta (8.0), Trump Media would have a market capitalization of approximately $50M. The current market capitalization of DJT (based on 4/4/24 closing price) was $6.3 Billion! This is an approximate overvaluation of 125X. Alternatively, the DJT stock could drop by 99% and still be considered overvalued by current valuation metrics.

This perceived overvaluation may entice some investors to “short” the stock or sell the stock at current levels and then repurchase at a later time (when they believe the price will be at a lower level). But this strategy can go painfully wrong. For those familiar with the GameStop short squeeze saga, consider DJT as a potential GameStop II. Things could get (very) ugly for either side and investors would be wise to simply stay on the sidelines and watch events unfold.

In order to “short” a stock, the short seller needs to “borrow” the stock from an existing long-only investor. For most stocks this is not a herculean task. An investor simply asks his/her broker to short a stock and the broker “borrows” the stock from a willing participant. But Trump Media is no ordinary stock. Whereas the cost to borrow a stock might normally be a few annualized percentage points, the cost to borrow Trump Media is currently set at an annualizedc rate of 550% for existing short sellers. And, according to short sale data provider S3 Partners, new short sellers need to pay as much as 900% annualized interest rate (new record) to short the stock. This implies that for a new short seller, the stock would have to drop by 2.5% per day just to break even!

There are currently 57 million shares in available float (available to trade). Of this amount, 1.67m shares are held by institutional investors (2.9%) and the rest are held by retail investors. There are currently 4.9 million shares currently short and trading volume has been running above 5 million shares per day for the past few days. Unlike, the Gamestop situation a few years ago, there appears to be plenty of liquidity for short sellers to escape within a day, if necessary.

But there are some other issues to address. Mr Trump currently holds 78,750,000 shares (57.6%) before his additional 36,000,000 (potential) earnout shares and given his contractual 6 month lock up, he cannot sell shares anytime soon. Moreover, after Mr Trump receives his additional shares, he will hold 65% of the company, which will be the second highest concentrated ownership percentage of any individual holder with a multi billion dollar company (after Carl Icahn). Finally, the fact that Trump Media (DJT) is a stock that is trading for a value based above $6 Billion, despite compelling data to suggest it is valued far less, demonstrates the power of retail investors to bid a stock up to seemingly unreasonable levels. Although at the timing of this publication (4/5/24), the stock is well off its $71.93 high since its March 26, 2024 DeSpac, it still has the potential for a retail trade rally. The cost to short the stock is 900% on an annualized basis. This is not a stock that an investor can hold for very long without getting burned. Though temptation may suggest that it is easy money to short this stock, the better decision is probably to sit on the sidelines and watch. Nothing good will happen to the new short seller, if many retail investors or even a deep pocketed hedge fund decides to come in strong on the other side.

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This fan caught Shohei Ohtani’s first HR as a Dodger; hard feelings ensued

LOS ANGELES — It all happened so quickly for Ambar Roman. The lifelong Dodgers fan watched as her husband dove to the ground with others in search of Shohei Ohtani ’s home run ball.

Then Roman looked at the ground, near her feet, and there it was. She picked up the milestone baseball, Ohtani’s historic first with the Dodgers, and pumped her fist in the air.

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“Sitting in the pavilion, you always hope that you’ll be able to catch a ball,” Roman told The Athletic on Thursday. “But never in a million years would I have thought it would have been his ball.”

Within minutes, however, that storybook moment turned into a stressful and chaotic situation that left Roman and particularly her husband, Alexis Valenzuela, feeling pressured and possibly swindled by the Dodgers security staff.

As is customary with significant home run balls, there is a give-and-take negotiation between the team and the fan who catches it. The player will generally trade memorabilia and a meet-and-greet with the player in exchange for a ball that represents a meaningful personal achievement.

In this case, though, Roman and Valenzuela say the security staff separated them, pressured them, and left them little choice but to hand over the baseball for what they considered a low-ball offer. The Dodgers initially dangled two caps signed by Ohtani in exchange for a ball that an auction house representative told The Athletic would be worth at least $100,000.

Roman said the hardball tactics by team officials included the threat of refusing to authenticate the baseball if she decided to take it home. This was no trivial matter: A lack of authentication could significantly reduce the ball’s value, and place the onus on Roman to prove its authenticity.

“We’re not trying to extort anyone. It’s not that we’re money hungry,” Valenzuela said. “It’s just that it’s a special moment, it’s a special ball. I just think it’s fair for it to be equally rewarded.”

“I was just disappointed that a team that I hold so dear pulled a quote-unquote quick one on us.”

They left Dodger Stadium with two signed hats, a signed bat and ball, a slight bump after the opening offer of two signed hats.

They never met or talked to Ohtani, though in Ohtani’s postgame comments on the subject, according to the translation of interpreter Will Ireton, he seemed to suggest either that they had spoken or that they had communicated in some fashion. It was not immediately clear if that was a misunderstanding or if Ohtani was intending to communicate that he had gotten a message to the fan who caught the ball.

“I was able to talk to the fan, and was able to get it back,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “Obviously it’s a very special ball, a lot of feelings toward it, I’m very grateful that it’s back.”

The Dodgers, through a team spokesperson, declined to discuss the fans’ grievances. As for the negotiations, a team official told  The Athletic : “The Dodgers are open to a further conversation with the fan about the transaction.”

The couple is not upset about what they received (or did not receive) as compensation for the valuable baseball. Roman expressed more contentment with what she received, while her husband believes a fairer deal could have been reached.

“They really took advantage of her,” Valenzuela said. “There were a bunch of (security) guys around her. They wouldn’t let me talk to her or give her any advice. There was no way for us to leave. They had her pretty much cornered in the back.”

Soon after the ball landed, a dozen or more security officials came to the couple’s seats. Surrounding fans told the couple to be smart. Many told them not to give the ball up easily. The security official told them they would “reward them” for catching the ball, according to the couple.

Valenzuela said he was kept at a distance from his wife by stadium security guards and told they couldn’t talk to each other. When they got to the Gold Glove Bar, the offer was made to Roman.

“They didn’t want him to influence my decision. At least that’s how I took it,” Roman said of being separated from Valenzuela. “… It was a little pressuring. Especially because it was like, ‘I need you to give me an answer like right now. You gotta make up your mind.’ It was a lot of pressure.”

The initial offer was two signed hats. Roman was overwhelmed, but she did follow up by asking if there was anything else the team could include. They offered to include a bat, and a ball, which she felt pressured to accept.

Those items were brought into the room, and the Ohtani home run ball was taken away. The couple was told they would be escorted out to their car, but eventually decided to exit on their own after the game.

The Dodgers have a memorabilia store at the club level of their ballpark. Within it, as the Los Angeles Times reported on Wednesday, is a foul ball hit by Ohtani in 2021. The ball is signed. And it is being sold for nearly $15,000. It provides a barometer for just how valuable Ohtani’s first home run ball would be.

This home run ball’s value, at minimum, is $100,000, said Chris Ivey, director of sports auctions at Heritage Auctions. Heritage has experience evaluating Ohtani memorabilia. He said the five items that the Dodgers gave the fans would be valued at around $1,000 each.

However, they would need authentication to be sold, and the couple said they did not receive authentication or confirmation that Ohtani actually signed it.

“This has all the ingredients to hit that number ($100,000) and go well beyond it, absolutely,” Ivy said.

Both Roman and Valenzuela are big Dodgers fans. They are 28 years old and live in Whittier, Calif. They met in college, work together at a pipeline company. They will celebrate their one-year wedding anniversary next month. They’d been excited to go to a game and purchased tickets in the pavilion, a regular spot for the pair.

With it all said and done, they are happy that Ohtani has his ball. They agree with the fans who are appreciative of their selfless gesture. He hit the homer. It’s his memento to have.

But the reality is also not lost that the ball is valuable. Valenzuela said he felt as though the team could have shown them the same type of love and respect that they have given the club for years.

“Where was the Dodger love that we see every day, every time we go,” Valenzuela said. “It just disappeared. We were kind of left stranded. It’s not necessarily that we wanted a million. Just something nice. Take care of your fans. Especially when they got something that’s way more valuable.

They wanted to feel as though they had more agency in the process. That they could have discussed it together. And that the team would have offered to authenticate the ball. It felt as though there was a planned and coordinated effort to get them to give up the ball without much discussion or negotiation.

Nothing will take away how special it was to catch it. The moment, as captured on the Dodgers broadcast, was one of pure ecstasy for Roman and Valenzuela. He picked her up in his arms live on television as fans around them celebrated.

That will always be an important part of this story. They love the Dodgers. They love Ohtani. And neither wanted to hold the ball hostage from one of their favorite players.

But what was shown on the cameras was not reflective of the reality that followed for the couple. And they are still trying to reconcile how they were treated and see the positives in how it all played out.

“I don’t regret it,” Roman said. “If I would have kept the ball, what would it have been worth really (without the authentication)? I feel like, this at least, if he retires as a Hall of Famer or anything like that, I have this merch.”

Sliders: An off-color look for the Phillies, the aftermath of a no-hitter

(Top photo of Shohei Ohtani: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

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Sam Blum is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Los Angeles Angels. Before joining The Athletic, he was a sports reporter for the Dallas Morning News. Previously, he covered Auburn for AL.com and the University of Virginia for The Daily Progress in Charlottesville.

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Dodgers fan says team pressured her into giving up shohei ohtani home run ball, shohei ohtani fan upset with dodgers ... claims team pressured her into giving up hr ball.

The Dodgers fan who caught Shohei Ohtani 's home run on Wednesday night is now upset with her favorite team ... claiming officials from the org pressured her into giving it up for a low-ball offer.

Ambar Roman scooped up the memento in the seventh inning of LA's tilt with the Giants at Dodger Stadium -- after Ohtani blasted it some 430 feet from home plate into her seat in the right field bleachers.

THE FIRST OF MANY FOR SHOHEI OHTANI. pic.twitter.com/6x0zye1GnZ — Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 4, 2024 @Dodgers

It was Shohei's first-ever dinger as a Dodger ... and, initially, Roman was fired up to score the treasure. She was seen on the game's broadcast going crazy -- but just minutes later, she said things turned very stressful.

In a conversation with The Athletic , Roman accused Dodgers officials of separating her from her husband ... before insisting she fork over the ball for just a couple of signed Ohtani hats.

Roman said the team hinted they wouldn't authenticate the ball if she didn't make the trade -- and with no ability to talk things over with her husband ... she says she did the deal after they sweetened the pot a bit with an additional signed bat and ball.

But now, her husband, Alexis Valenzuela , said the whole thing left a bad taste in his and his wife's mouths.

"I was just disappointed that a team that I hold so dear pulled a quote-unquote quick one on us," Valenzuela said.

"We're not trying to extort anyone," he added. "It's not that we're money hungry. It's just that it's a special moment, it's a special ball. I just think it's fair for it to be equally rewarded."

According to a Heritage Auctions expert, the ball is worth in the neighborhood of $100,000. The signed memorabilia Roman received was worth around $4,000, the expert said.

Nonetheless, Roman said she was still happy to have the memory ... and it seems she could be in line to receive at least a little bit more compensation -- as a Dodgers official told The Athletic they're "open to a further conversation" about it all.

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