National ‘Give Something Away Day’ Strengthens Relationships

The following is excerpted from a news release sent on July 15, which is also “Give Something Away Day.”

Winston Churchill is credited with saying, “You make a living out of what you get. You make a life out of what you give.” Many people enter relationships for what they think they can get instead of what they can give. If we were to focus more on giving than getting, the return would be enormous.

Coming out of the pandemic is an excellent time to simplify our lives and to share with others who might not be as fortunate. I see no downside to giving something away to make a difference in the lives of others.

Giving Feels Good

Polling a group of 30,000 American households showed that givers were happier than non-givers, according to a Social Capital Community benchmark survey.

There’s no question that when you buy a homeless person a meal, donate clothing or give away something, you feel uplifted, and that’s what this is about — lifting others up, including yourself.

When my four children were smaller, my wife and I would find someone to serve on Christmas Eve. Some years we served food at a homeless shelter; other years we selected a needy family and bought gifts for the children.

People matter more than things. We all work hard to achieve success, to arrive at some pinnacle of achievement — to have the perfect house, perfect family, perfect body. In the process, we fill our lives with stuff. Most people have more food, faster cars, fancier clothes, better health, higher incomes, bigger houses, and more conveniences than their ancestors had a hundred years ago.

Yet according to the World Database of Happiness, we are not any happier than previous generations. Studies show once we have enough income to comfortably meet basic needs, additional wealth has little impact on our happiness. We are really searching for inner peace, yet many of us don’t know how to find it.

Give Something Away Day

This year, I urge you to give something away and find harmony, happiness, and peace.

Because I believe relationships are the most important things we have, I urge others to even give a little more time to those relationships that matter most. For me, that’s with my family, friends, and colleagues. Without a doubt, time with them will be some of the most treasured experiences.

Proceeds from All the Right Reasons benefit The USANA Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides food and nutrition to help ensure impoverished children and families reach their fullest potential. The book is available here.