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The Importance of Giving PT.2 - the Dos and Don'Ts

     Should we expect to be praised for our deeds or to receive nothing in return?  Does ego play a role in generosity or is humbleness a necessary mindset?  A year ago, we talked about the importance of giving and how beneficial it is to both the giver and the receiver (Link here if interested: https://scanlonblogs.blogspot.com/2018/11/blog-8-giving.html).  We also talked about how happiness comes from giving and helping others and how material wealth only goes so far.  What we did not discuss is what we should anticipate and the proper way to behave throughout the process.  The art of giving involves understanding the dos and don'ts based on the situation at hand.  Not every instance of generosity will include the same factors as the previous one.
     Do you believe kindness should be met with a reward?  I personally believe it depends on the situation, but we should never expect to be rewarded.  If you give money to a homeless man, your act of kindness may not lead to anything but personal satisfaction.  People should be rewarded for their generosity in certain cases, if an individual goes out of the way to do something notably generous for a large group of people, for example.  However, we shouldn't expect a reward, lest we are disappointed by the outcome.  Personal satisfaction should be the main driver behind the act.  Anything received in addition to that should be considered a bonus.  Expecting this type of physical reward will not only make you less likely to act generously but cause you to forget the real reason to give.  So, the question is, will you go out of your way for others if there is no indication of a reward, or do you need something concrete do show an act of kindness?
     Does ego play a role in giving?  In my opinion, yes it does, because the ego is a big reason for wanting to be generous in the first place.  What we should remember is the difference between a healthy ego and being selfish.  Our egos are the reason why we want to be generous because we want to feel good about ourselves.  We must have a healthy ego so we can continue to act generous, feel good about ourselves, and help others in return.  We cross the line when our ego gets in the way of giving.  For example, if we ask for a reward because the other person has nobody else to ask for help, we have too big of an ego.  Yes, we should praise ourselves for being able to help others through our skillset but we should never flaunt or take advantage of others.
     I believe giving is an act we should all take part in.  What do you think?  Do my opinions line up with yours?  Is there more to give than what I have stated?  I would love to hear your thoughts.  It is important to talk about this because the more we do, the better the chance people go out there and act out of generosity.

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