A Few Ways to Appreciate and Share Your Gifts

Embrace the Gift of Giving

What really turbocharges your happiness and helps you define your purpose in life? Helping others. Why? Because it inspires gratitude for what life has given you. After all, one of the keys to finding true peace is slowing down enough to realize that you have a lot of gifts -- gifts that you should be passing along to others.

Give, then pass

There are few feelings in the world that surpass that of knowing you helped someone -- whether it's through a financial donation or a mentoring program or giving up your seat on a crowded bus. It feels good -- and it is good. So good, in fact, that some researchers have found that the effect of giving, of altruisms small and big, is similar to the so-called runner's high (the rush of endorphins). But unlike exercise euphoria, this rush can last a long time. However, there's a catch: When you give something, whether to an individual or a group, we want you to find a way to allow them to have the dignity to pass it along to others. Though people very often need help, they don't want to feel like charity cases. They want to feel that they, too, can give back. This also makes giving more attractive, since you are really starting a chain reaction that will help many more people than the one group you targeted with your kindness. So be explicit in your giving, and ask how the recipient will pass it forward.

Pass the passion

While many people think they should give to charity or do something to give back, that's not the only concept that's important. It's not the obligation to give back; instead, it's the privilege of doing something bigger than yourself. You don't have to donate money, just time and passion. You don't have an obligation to society to find a bigger purpose -- you have an obligation to your own health and happiness. And the more you value what you are doing with your mind, the more you'll do healthier things with your body.

Say thanks

As adults, we might not need reminders for the typical thank you moments, but many of us may need a nudge to do so beyond the typical door opening and gift receiving; after all, part of our purpose here is to get a little deeper, right? Once a week (or more often, as you start to enjoy it more), think of someone who had an effect on your life -- big or small -- and write that person a note of gratitude (not via e-mail either; be personal). Gratitude is one of the gifts you can give others that also has some selfish benefits: Some research shows that 15 minutes of daily gratitude can dramatically decrease stress hormones in your body. Try another cool practice: Keep a gratitude bell in the house, and when one member of the family does something nice for another, ring the bell. It's a great way to teach kids that helping others really matters.