Giving is… talent.
by Jane Nam
By talent, I don’t mean that the act of giving demands a certain degree of flair/aptitude from the person doing the deed…nor do I think that the art of giving is a special sort of “gift” that only some people have and can do.
Sometimes, giving is so deeply associated with us having to exhaust our time, money and energy that we forget we are already giving in inadvertent ways which don’t require much effort at all. This is where talent comes in.
Whether our talent lies in our musical abilities, our mastery at telling awesome jokes, or just being an unparalleled listener &emdash; we are providing something to someone everyday. Some share their passion for playing the saxophone in the bustles of Grand Central Terminal. This gives tired commuters a nice tune to listen to as they swipe through the crowded turnstiles in the evening rush hour [not a good example as we all know how jaded New Yorkers can be to these things, but you get what I mean!]. Some were just born with a knack for being funny and providing their friends with an unlimited supply of laughter. Others are great at giving people the purity of their attention and listening wholeheartedly to what they have to say.
Giving doesn’t have to necessarily involve monetary donations, physical labor or extensive planning. We can simply do the things we love or are good at, which can generate joy, laughter or happiness in others. I think that acknowledging our individual talents and capitalizing on them for a greater, communal purpose is even better and can make just as much of a positive impact.
After all… it’s the simple things in life that keeps us trekking along :)
