The Power of Giving

“Giving is the most potent force on the planet…and will protect you your whole life.”  Dr. Stephen G. Post, Stony Brook University

Giving of yourself to those you love is a gift, a responsibility, a challenge, and a life-changing experience.  Giving to strangers is also a gift:  we share ourselves with others, without expecting anything in return.  In the process of selfless giving, we so often end up receiving far greater gifts:  the gift of deeper self-knowledge, the gift of an enriched sense of personal meaning, the gift of improving the quality of our own lives.  Here is an example of the “giving” principle in action:

Edwin was a very successful businessman in our community and at least a decade away from retirement when his father became very ill.  In the last weeks of his father’s life, the family relied upon hospice services to keep their father at home. Edwin was amazed and deeply moved at the care and comfort the hospice team provided to both his father and the entire family.  At his father’s funeral, Edwin made a remarkable and life-changing decision.  He returned to his home, put his business on the market, and retired.  He didn’t retire to sit on the beach, play golf daily, travel around the world, or pursue other bucket-list passions.  Instead, he became a full-time volunteer for our local hospice.

How lucky we were that Edwin made this fateful decision.  When Edwin entered a hospice patient’s home, he was always greeted warmly – and not just because of the famously delicious oatmeal raisin cookies he baked weekly for the families (while keeping his recipe secret!).  He radiated warmth. He listened with the intent to care.  His empathy was extraordinary, because he understood from his own experience how deep a family’s anxiety and anguish could be. He helped patients and families find the good even in difficult times.  His laugh was infectious and his silence was healing.  He developed strong bonds with both male and female patients and family members.  Having Edwin on our hospice team was an incredible asset; he brought comfort to all of us. 

Through his own personal loss, Edward found a true calling.  He returned this gift by giving so generously to others.   Not all of us can change our lives as completely as Edwin did, but each of us is blessed with the opportunity to give.