Gift Of Giving

ahwcweb
Nov 5
5 min read

Updated: Nov 6

Happy Birthday, Edith West!

Tomorrow is my Mother-in-Law, Edith West’s, Birthday.

Mom West has always been one to help others, especially children. For over 15 years she and some other ladies in her church made “Bags of Love” to help children who were taken from their families due to abuse, drugs, etc. The Bags of Love gave each child a homemade quilt, a book, toy and personal hygiene essentials.

Always eager to help with the church outreach projects, she was often the first one to sign up. She was also a leader in the children’s divisions for more than 50 years. She and her husband were church greeters and week by week they would visit those who for various reasons were not able to come to church.

She has always known her neighbors and is well loved by them all. In years past she had Storytime for the neighborhood children.

When we moved to Arkansas, Mom faithfully sent Abundant Health Wellness Center a monthly donation to “help us help others.”

Even her career was based on helping others. She was a secretary and cleaned houses. When not working, for many years, she helped in the care of her aging in-laws and other elderly folks.

Mom shared with me last night her favorite memories is having all her family and friends together, sitting under a big shade tree, sharing, laughing, and singing.

Over the years that I have known Mom West I have learned she has a big heart, and I believe that’s why we have the privilege of celebrating her 93^rd birthday, because giving and serving others doesn’t just change lives — it transforms our own, giving us pleasure and purpose for living a long, productive and happy life.

God proclaimed a long time ago: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35).

In a world often driven by self-interest and personal gain, the act of giving, whether time, resources, or compassion, stands as a quiet revolution. While many faith traditions have long upheld the virtue of generosity, modern science now echoes this truth with compelling evidence: giving is good for you!

The Brain and Generosity

Neuroscience reveals that acts of kindness activate the brain’s reward system. When we give, our brains release a cocktail of feel-good chemicals: dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, collectively known as the “Happiness Trifecta”. These neurochemicals not only elevate mood but also reduce stress and foster deeper social bonds.

Health Benefits of Helping Others

Giving isn’t just emotionally uplifting, it’s physically healing. Studies show that people who regularly volunteer or support others experience:

Lower blood pressure
Reduced risk of depression
Improved immune function
Longer life expectancy

One study found people who volunteered regularly had a 44% lower likelihood of dying early compared to those who didn’t. That’s not just a feel-good bonus, it’s a life-extending benefit!

Serving Others Cultivates Purpose

When we serve others, we tap into a deeper sense of meaning. According to research highlighted in Harvard Medicine Magazine, kindness and altruism are linked to a stronger sense of purpose and life satisfaction. This sense of purpose acts as a buffer against anxiety and burnout, especially in high-stress environments.

Giving is a “Wonder Drug”

In their book Wonder Drug, physicians Dr. Stephen Trzeciak and Dr. Anthony Mazzarelli describe serving others as “the best medicine for yourself.” Their research outlines seven scientifically proven ways helping others improve mental and physical health, from reducing inflammation to enhancing resilience.

“It Is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive”

This timeless phrase, found in Acts 20:35, isn’t just a moral ideal, it’s a neurological and physiological reality. Giving shifts our focus outward, breaks the cycle of self-centeredness, and connects us to something greater than ourselves, even the very Spirit of Christ. He “went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil.” (Acts 10: 38). When we forget self and reach out to help someone, we experience a joy that receiving alone cannot replicate.

In a culture that often asks, “What can I get?” the better question might be, “What can I give?” Whether it’s a smile, a helping hand, or a heartfelt donation, every act of generosity ripples outward—and inward. So go ahead: give freely, serve boldly, and discover the blessing that science and Scripture agree on.

Blue Skies,

Dana West, RND, LD, ACLMDIP

References:

- Post, S. G. (2005). Why Good Things Happen to Good People: How to Live a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life by the Simple Act of Giving. Broadway Books.

- Trzeciak, S., & Mazzarelli, A. (2022). Wonder Drug: 7 Scientifically Proven Ways That Serving Others Is the Best Medicine for Yourself. St. Martin’s Essentials.

- Harvard Health Publishing. (2021). The health benefits of volunteering. Harvard Medical School. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-health-benefits-of-volunteering-202106092473

- Brown, S. L., Nesse, R. M., Vinokur, A. D., & Smith, D. M. (2003). Providing social support may be more beneficial than receiving it: Results from a prospective study of mortality. Psychological Science, 14(4), 320–327. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9280.14461

- National Institutes of Health. (2010). The Science of Generosity. University of Notre Dame. https://generosityresearch.nd.edu/

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