There are countless examples of how parents, teachers, and others have contributed in betterment of another person's life. Human peace and security is possible only by sacrifice of others – it's a form of giving.
Art of Giving
Maslow once said to self-actualize, “Find out who you are, what you are, what you like and don't like, what is good and what is bad for you, where you are going, what your mission is."
Upon analyzing this statement, one might realize that giving is a unique form of prayer that connects to the inner self. It comes from a selfless act – where the self-actualized simply give from their heart for the development of others. One's life mission is incomplete without discharging the role of responsible citizenship. Self-actualized discharge this through sharing of knowledge, life experiences and cooperation. They create and develop vision in "takers," who have yet to master the art of giving.
Giving Backbone to Self-Actualization
Business dictionary states, "self actualization is a motivation to realize own maximum potential and possibilities. It is considered to be the master motive or the only motive, all other motives being its various forms."
According to Maslow, self-actualization is the final need that manifests when lower level needs are satisfied. Self actualization therefore is manifestation of morality, creativity, and problem solving attitude. It refers to realizing more of people’s inner potential, expressed in every area of life.
Giving has an overriding impact in self-actualization. It is not just donating few coins or offering free community lunches or giving gifts on Christmas or Diwalee and forgetting. The underline principle of self actualization is service for the development of people, a dream which most cherish to be in after a successful life innings. This is the stage when people need to give back to society as Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Indian spiritual Guru says “What you get from society, give it back to society.”
Self-actualization is a life-long mission of climbing steps to attain enlightenment. A monk in Mathura, India once said, “The real self-actualization takes place when people are valued irrespective of their dark side.”
Giving Leads to Empowerment
The self-actualized create positive aura and attract positive circumstances and opportunities into their lives. Giving is their way of life and they constantly visualize opportunities of helping takers convert their dreams in to reality. They possess stabilized thoughts, emotions, and a balanced mind. This is in line with Einstein’s thoughts, “There comes a time when the mind takes a higher plane of knowledge but can never prove how it got there.”
Self-actualized individuals draw their empowerment and sense of accomplishment from giving. Usually, the taker becomes a change agent for happiness, accomplishment, and changing of thoughts to the material world. The self-actualized spare their resources such as time, money or expertise so that takers achieve their life goals. An empowered mind easily appreciates and shares pain and plight of takers. People with a selfish mindset rarely venture to give. They are always looking out for opportunities to take more and more.
Self-Actualized are Directed by the Inner Self
Giving develops an aura of self-fulfillment and makes the self-actualized aware of their inner feelings, while encouraging externalization of those inner feelings. It helps develop an emotional chord between them and the receiver and installs fellow feelings and humility.
No help, advice, and counseling will be complete unless the self-actualized person understands the human nature, maintains the dignity of taker and is able to perceive himself in takers position. Each giving situation is a unique learning process. Through contact, they learn and share the problems of takers and provide solutions to ease. This acts as a boost to their morality, enhances their potential, and strengthens their belief in selfless service to people.
Fuel Passion to Perform
Self-actualized people are great motivators. They strive hard to unearth potential in takers and make them strive hard to give dent to their capabilities to perform to excel. They constantly fuel passion by giving their own example or examples of people who have gone from rags to success.
The self-actualized person will boost the morale of takers by fighting the odds shoulder to shoulder with them. They are always available for consultations and solving small and big obstacles creating impediments. This inspires, strengthens, and transforms.
Self-Actualized are Emotionally Intelligent
The self-actualized person constantly strives for empathy so as to relate easily with non-givers – the "takers." They try to understand the behaviour of takers and relate their own emotions with those of others. They do this by promoting kindness, compassion, and tolerance.
To sum up, giving is an in-built urge that brings joy, humility, purification of thoughts, and control of mind. It is a life mission for the self-actualized and this ultimately brings them close to self-realization. An hour or two daily is all that makes difference in generating hope.
Sources:
- ProApirit.org
- BusinessDictionary.com
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