Something
happened this week that sparkled my thinking about giving and being charitable
to others. While walking down Lexington Avenue, a man standing with a can asked
passersby for spare change. Since ignoring is the norm in these situations, I
was tempted to do the same. Most of us assume that the money is for liquor, reinforcing
our instinct to keep on walking. Being that I didn’t have, I told him I had no
change. To this, he replied: “Well…I would be just as happy if you bought me
something to eat”. Coincidentally, I was heading into a café for coffee and a bagel
so I told him I would. His silence reflected skepticism, but smiled anyway. I,
being true to my word, ordered a sandwich for him, unbeknownst to his
preference, figured he wouldn’t be too picky. While sitting at the window
eating, I noticed him walking away; I wanted to run outside to give him his
sandwich, but I was in the middle of eating and couldn’t grab my food fast
enough to catch him. As he walked up the street repeating his repertoire with each
passerby, I saw that he had no luck. Heading out of the café I wondered what I
would do with the sandwich I bought for him, and that’s when I saw him returning
to his original spot. I then ran up to him and said “here sir is your
sandwich…I never break a promise”. His eyes lit up and, I kid you not, he
started crying happy tears. He really just wanted something to eat.
A
few days before this, I decided to use a ten dollar gas coupon I had to fill up
the tank even though it was more than 3/4 full. Ultimately, the car only needed
$7.00 to be filled completely. As the gas attendant went to give me the $3.00 I
was owed, I told him to keep it. You would have thought I told him he won a
trip to Europe! He was so appreciative. I guess most gas station attendants
don’t get tipped too often!
These
two separate incidents made me think about how good “I” felt afterward! Yes, I
was kind, I was charitable, but I also felt so good myself! Why is that?
It
is a fact that giving, leads to happiness. This is due to a “Helper’s High”,
which psychologists explain as the release of endorphins that produce a mild
version of the sensations one gets from drugs like morphine and heroin. So,
being charitable to others also lowers stress hormones that cause unhappiness.
When
focusing on making a positive difference through good deeds, we find ourselves
forgetting about our problems since our energy gets channeled for a different
purpose.
I
believe that making a little effort at being more generous, whether it is with
our time, our money, smiles, or even a handshake, our daily lives will be that
much better because of it. Little things like letting someone get ahead of us
in line, tipping that gas station attendant who took the initiative to wash the
windshield, or even offering the person working and sweating on the street a
cold drink. Sure, these things appear insignificant, but wow, can they make a
huge difference in another person’s life as well as ours.
Let’s
all do this! Next time, be generous, be charitable….you’ll love the feeling!!
By Susan Korwin
Executive Managing Director / Mireya
Posada
Editor in Chief / Cesar Florez
LATINO SHOW MAGAZINE
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