Summary:
What is the meaning of giving back? The importance of giving back to the world
“Giving is an act of generosity. Giving is sowing a seed. The seed will produce a great harvest of fruits.” ― Lailah Gifty Akita
Generally, whenever we receive splendid news, we reach out to someone important in our life to share it with. Similarly, we reach out to a loved one for support when something terrible happens. In other words, be it good or bad times, we find emotional support among the people around us. This hunger or urge to seek support by connecting with others comes from deep within us. It is essential for us but it is not any less essential the other way round either.
So, what is meant by giving back, be it to your family, community, school, office, or anywhere else? Giving back is supporting others in their ups and downs of life. It is not just limited to those who supported you, but to any and everyone. Besides, it is not only about providing emotional support but can be achieved through a variety of ways including giving your time, effort, or by way of monetary assistance.
This begs the question of why giving back to the community is important? This is well answered by Winston Churchill who says, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” By ourselves, we exist but by giving back to the society we live in. The true feeling of fulfilment in life does not lie in buying whatever you want or being in a passionate relationship or following a set path for life.
That might help in having a good life but as sentient beings, the real meaning of life lies in what you have given, rather than what you have got? A society or a community is a social interdependent structure. Our success lies in unity by working as a team and not in segregation. Hence giving back to society is vital. By giving back you utilize an opportunity to make someone else’s life a little bit better or more bearable.
It could be your loved ones, someone from your community, or someone located in some other corner of the world. Besides, it’s a two-way transaction benefiting both parties involved. Giving back or contributing to the greater good is one of the six human needs and an essential part of life.
However, some people fail to realize that giving back is missing in their life and hence they find their lives to be inexplicably incomplete or unfulfilled. Yet, it is never too late to start anything in life, and giving back is not a grand gesture involving lots of money and resources.
It is as simple as giving a smile or helping a friend or even a stranger in need. Others might not change, but you can and a single person can make a difference.
Some of The Ways You Can Give Back to The World
1. Donate Your Time
Volunteering is one of the most efficient ways of giving back. Time is valuable and gifting it to your local non-profit, school, homeless shelter, animal shelter or other places can make a world of difference for many lives.
2. Teach a Skill
Donating money is not the only way to achieve massive change. There are many completely free methods to make your contribution to make a difference. Teaching someone a skill is more invaluable than money whose value is stuck in numbers. Teaching someone a new skill is empowering the person for their life. It can be as simple as teaching someone the proper use of software or to read, write or simply repair something.
3. Clean Your Community
Stop throwing that wrapper on the street. Keep it in your pocket and dispose of it either back home or where you can find a proper dustbin. Stop using plastic bags or re-use them. Better still, use a cloth bag. It is durable and not a pollutant.
4. A Random Act of Kindness
Strengthen your neighbourhood with simple gestures of kindness. Lend a helping hand to your neighbour or even a stranger juggling handfuls of groceries. Open the door for the elderly, children, invalid, or pregnant women. Give your shoulder to that car needing a jumpstart.
5. Plant a Tree
Trees produce oxygen and are essential for the environment, especially to counter the growing effects of air pollution. Hence, every tree that we plant decreases toxicity and encourages wellness.
