'Tis The Season for Giving!

According to the Giving USA Foundation, charitable giving in the United States reached an estimated $358 billion dollars last year with $258 billion coming from individuals.

It’s amazing to think that millions of people each year donate to charity for the sake of making the world a better place, one dollar at a time. At a time where we see so much violence on TV and hear stories of death and destruction, it’s nice to know that there are still so many people out there who are kind, who are charitable, and who are working to help make the world a better place.Whether you donate money or time, giving back is beneficial and not just for the recipients but also for the giver. Research shows that the idea, “it’s better to give than to receive” is true after all.

Besides doing something good and kind for someone else, studies have shown a relationship between volunteering and increased self-esteem, with volunteers reporting both greater personal empowerment and better health. Doing for others can stimulate the release of endorphins, which has been linked to improved nervous and immune system functions too. So the same high one can get from running or working out can also be achieved by helping others; maybe that’s part of the reason I love fundraising so much.

For me, I love being able to help people. When I see how my actions can make a difference in another person’s life, it is one of the greatest feelings in the world; so I do what I can do to support as many people as possible. Giving back is a way for me to show my appreciation for my wonderful life.

Also, when we are positive and kind we raise the vibration in the universe and can help spread love and light to all. We are magnets, so when we emit positive energy (thoughts, feelings, and vibrations), we attract more positivity to us.

Giving can be contagious. When we give, we spur a ripple effect of generosity through our community encouraging others to give.

So why not give? By doing so, we not only help the recipients from our giving, we encourage others to give, and we feel happy and good for helping to make the world a better place.

If you would like the opportunity to give to Autism Speaks, you are welcome to check out my fundraising page. Please join me in my pursuit to raise $10,000 for autism research as I work with and train with Team Up to complete the 2016 London Marathon!