It seems that science has proven a simple truth that so many of us have long known by heart: Giving really is better than receiving. You know the feeling -- that glow we get when we allow generosity to guide us into acts of uninhibited kindness. How sweet it is! It's not just a matter of patting ourselves on the back, either; it's honest-to-goodness euphoria that's hardwired into our chemistry. Researchers have found that the act of donating to charity triggers the release of endorphins (the brain's feel-good chemicals), making givers feel glorious. According to a New York Sun article called "Why Giving Makes You Happy," the Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey of 30,000 American households revealed that the people who gave money to charity were 43 percent more likely than nongivers to say they were "very happy" about their lives. Now that's what I call good news!
Of course, our donations don't have to be monetary in order to give us that "helper's high." Hands-on acts of kindness -- like baking pies for a fund raiser, leading a Girl Scout troop, helping a friend put up hay or volunteering at a local animal shelter -- may help us live longer, healthier and more satisfying lives.
And what about random acts of kindness? I think those are some of the sweetest treats of all. When we're always on the lookout for some small way to spread joy to others, it keeps us on our toes in the best possible way. We tune in to little signs and signals of need, and we end up honing our helper skills like never before. I love my own son Emil's example of what he calls a random act of "way cool." Tired and late for work, he pulled up to an espresso stand to order a 12-ounce cup of coffee, and the barista informed him happily that the previous patron had already bought a 16-ounce for whoever was next in line. How's that for making somebody's morning?
It's just that simple.
In our current state of tenuous economic stability, it's vitally important to continue to find ways to give. Not only do many of us need the kindness of others more than ever, we also need to remember how wonderful giving can be. It binds us to our neighbors, creates trust and love and reminds us that helping others is a vital part of what keeps us going -- especially when the going gets tough. The bottom line: doing good does us good in all sorts of ways, but we don't need science to tell us that. The proof of the pudding is in sharing it with our neighbors.
Often, there's no need to look beyond the needs of our own communities when we want to give. Schools, shelters, libraries, churches and local nonprofit organizations are always looking for help. But if you want to search for charities that work for particular issues that you're passionate about, or if you need help figuring out who needs what in your area, a great place to start is Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org). This Web site is chock-full of nonprofit listings from around the world, and it also offers an objective rating system based on the fiscal operations of each charity. Plus, you can search all sorts of tips and resources for smart donating.
And for those times when your schedule and your wallet are stretched to the limits, there are several online options for donating without spending a dime.
MaryJane Butters is an organic lifestyle expert and the editor of MaryJanesFarm magazine. E-mail her at everydayorganic@maryjanesfarm.org.
Here are three sites where you can "click to give," meaning you just visit the Web site and click on a link that takes you to a page of ads from the site's sponsors. You don't have to even look at the ads. Simply by clicking, you've assured that those advertisers donate a bit of cash to the cause you've chosen.
Ripple » (www.ripple.org) provides funds for clean water, food and education, as well as a $100 loan with your daily click. It also features a Google-powered search bar, which makes a donation every time you use it. You can welcome your friends on board, too, by adding Ripple's "give" links directly to your own Web site.
The Hunger Site » (www.thehungersite.com) features click buttons for six different causes: hunger, child health, breast cancer, literacy, the rainforest and animal rescue. If you purchase an item from the site's online store, they'll donate even more.
GoodSearch » (www.goodsearch.com) offers a twist on the click-to-give idea with their GoodShop tool, which allows you to donate a percentage of the cost of certain purchases to the charity of your choice. The store choices include Amazon, Best Buy, Travelocity and more. All you have to do is access the store through GoodSearch whenever you're planning a new purchase, and you'll have an excuse to feel good about shopping.
For a list of Click-to-Give Web sites, visit www.thenonprofits.com.
