The Magic of Giving

"Everything I give to others is a gift to myself. As I give, I receive." - Sanaya Roman

Giving is IN. It seems that everyone is discovering the Magic of Giving.

Oprah has her Reality TV show, The Big Give. By helping total strangers, participants experience what the producers call "the high of giving."

After a dazzling tennis career, Andre Agassi is focused on giving back - something he finds even more rewarding than tennis. The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation has raised more than $60 million to improve the lives of at-risk youth.

Bill Clinton's book, Giving, is filled with examples of how giving enriches the lives of others as well as our own lives. Clinton writes, "one reason to be generous and public spirited is simply that it makes you feel good."

Why Does Giving Feel So Good? Researchers at Harvard and UBC conclude that giving significantly boosts happiness. Studies with 630 Americans found them to be measurably happier when they spent money on others. In fact, as little as $5 was enough to produce real gains in happiness!

NIH scientists determined that the joy of giving is hardwired into our brains. They discovered that the act of giving increases activity in the midbrain - a region associated with pleasures such as food and sex. Aha!

Givers Gain. Joe Vitale began to understand the Magic of Giving in the 1970's when he was homeless. Having no money, he gave away what he had - books. The more books he gave away, the more books came to him. Detecting a pattern, but still impoverished, he gave a few dollars here and there - mostly to people who gave him spiritual nourishment. As he gave, he started to receive - a job offer, a published article, then a client, followed by a book publishing contract and paid speaking engagements. Living quite a luxurious lifestyle now, Joe continues to give, saying: "It sounds counter-intuitive but the more you give, the more you will receive. As I give bigger, I get bigger returns: more movie deals, more book deals, my own television show, more unexpected income. The list goes on."

How about Percy Ross? Starting with $2 million, Percy set out to give money to people he believed needed it. In 17 years, he gave away an estimated $30 million. Look at those numbers. He had $2 million and he gave away $30 million. Try to make that work out on a ledger sheet! It won't. It's the Magic of Giving.

Spiritual leaders and financially successful people have been telling us about the Magic of Giving for ages. Here are some pointers to help you apply the Magic of Giving in your life:

• Give out of joy rather than obligation. Give because it feels good and offers you a way to express appreciation for all you have and all you are in the process of creating.
• Follow Joe Vitale's example and give what you have to give. It doesn't have to be money. You can donate your time. You can teach a skill. Volunteers report improved health and a deeper sense of meaning and purpose.
• Give without strings. When you give something, release it completely. It's up to the receiver what they do with your gift.
• If you're ready for more abundance in your life, think of someone you can give something to. Giving helps you FEEL more prosperous and releases feelings of lack and limitation.
• Receiving is a natural result of giving - unless you resist it. When you give, be open to receive.

There are endless reasons to give, but perhaps the best reason is that giving makes you FEEL FANTASTIC. And, in accordance with the Law of Attraction, when you feel good, you attract even more good feelings. So do yourself and someone else a favor: Give from your heart and experience the Joy and the Magic of Giving.