Why I Donate to Charity

By Andrew Scott


It is fulfilling to give back to the society hence charity giving makes you feel good. This practice has been encouraged since childhood, but, unfortunately countable people adhere to it. There are a myriad of charitable organizations all around the globe working tirelessly to create an impact. The feeling that one gets after donating to charity is worth the effort. Donations made to organizations that assist victims caught up in conflicts, poverty and other social related problems, go a long way in changing lives and creating social awareness. Notably, charity donations are not restricted to money only. Usually, people donate food, clothes, blood and computer supplies among other items. Before making a donation to charity, it is advisable to be aware of the details of the organization and its activities so as to ensure that the donation made is worthwhile.

If it's such a good thing, then why so many people don't donate to charity? Well, the first thought of giving away something without the hope of receiving it ever back gives rise to a strange feeling - a feeling of loss. Any sense of loss further gives rise to another strong feeling - fear. When we are uncomfortable with something, we always find out fitting excuses for not doing it. The first negative emotion which prevents people from doing charity is the impulse that "all charities are fraudulent." It is true that some organizations practice fraud in the name of charity, but there are quite some charitable organizations that do a wonderful job. Should we rob these good people of financial help because some are cheating?

A recent study indicated that charity giving makes you feel good. A team of psychologists and economists at Oregon University discovered that making donations to charity activates the parts of the brain that stimulate pleasure. Once a donation to charity has been made, the giver gets a reward reaction that is extremely intense, which causes a warm feeling of pleasure that has got health benefits. The idea of being part of a team that has contributed in providing basic survival for victims is very fulfilling. For instance, by contributing $ 20, some individuals somewhere can benefit from having safe drinking water. Being part of a team that initiates building hospitals, learning institutions, improving basic amenities and distributing supplies of medicine among many others is amazing. All those that donate can testify that charity giving makes you feel good.

The worst ever fear which paralyses people when they think to donate to charity is that they already don't have enough for themselves. This perhaps is the single most reason why people look away from charity. Yes, it's a strong cause - nobody has enough. Starting from the poorest to the rich, everybody toils everyday for innumerable hours for acquiring more. In such a condition, 'giving' looks so meaningless. But, if we look at our expenses honestly, can we say that with an unfaltering tongue? We all are guilty of some amount of whimsical spending. If we can save some of that money and donate to charity we can make a difference. We have to make a habit of it because, when not sure, we are driven by our habits.

We all love to live in a better world where there is no mean and selfish tendencies, where everybody is good and caring. We want all our near and dear ones, especially our children, to be safe and happy. It's not something strange and unachievable, but, it has a price. The price is to "share and care." Those who yearn to live a happy and prosperous life have to learn to share and care. How can we teach our children to be sensitive to the society around them? We have to first donate to charity, not once but regularly. Real teachings are imparted through demonstration, not by words.




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