I like to think that I’m a giver. I give and give and give and I try to not take and take and take. But, I’m a selfish giver. I give to get something for myself. And, the more I give and get for myself, the more gratitude towards others I feel. However, I believe we all give to get, it’s just human nature.
We recently hosted a contest at Hot Mama where we gave away some pretty skookum prizes. The goal was to encourage Mamas to remain active over the summer and if they did, they’d win a great prize! Today we announced the winners and it unraveled this overwhelming desire for me to give and to inspire others to give. It’s the best feeling in the world to surprise someone with a gift. The gratitude is palpable. The energy is amazing.
That’s why I give. I LOVE surprising someone with a gift. I love to see their face light up, tears fill their eyes and I love to feel their gratitude as I’m enveloped in a hug. It’s the best. I’m an energy gal and your energy affects me like nothing else. The energy I feel when I give? It fills me with warmth and pure joy. I give and I give and I give because I need that energy in my life. It soothes my soul. I work tirelessly for Hot Mama and Lindsay Gee and I love it. But oh…the energy from giving that I receive? It’s beyond what words can explain.
I’ve read a lot of business books and a lot of gratitude books and there’s some science behind the act of giving. The hormones that are released, the more you give the more you get and blah, blah, blah…but I like to think of it in the most simple of terms: Do good for others and that good will bounce back to you. Energy out = energy in. I firmly believe that if you’re kind and generous to those around you, if you exude gratitude and positivity…it’ll come right back to you.
I see it over and over in our Hot Mama community. These incredible Mamas give to one another through ways I’m sure they don’t even realize. It’s the smiles, the high fives, the laughter and the sharing of tears. For every person you light up, you’re giving a piece of yourself. I get to do that every day…and that’s amazing.
What I don’t get to do every day is give a prize or a gift you can use or touch. Today I got to do that. And I am buzzing. It was time for me to be selfish and let the feeling of giving run through my body. I’m a gooey puddle of joy today and it’s because I gave something away to deserving people and I know they’ll use it. I (and our beautiful, strong and amazing Hot Mama franchise owners) gave away something that matters to someone. And that…oh baby. That’s an awesome feeling.
If you’re feeling crummy today, I encourage you to go be selfish. Go give of yourself. It doesn’t have to be an expensive give…it may even just be your time and some positive energy…but you’re going to change someone’s day today. Of this I am certain. Be a positive light to someone who needs it today and let their energy flow into your body. Give of yourself and be selfish. Take the energy and swim in it all day.
Go on…give selfishly. I approve.