8 Amazing Gifts You Have The Power To Give!
Simple actions matter
According to the latest data from the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the Census Bureau for the United States, there are at least 28% of the population of these countries living alone - that represents over 8 million people in the United Kingdom as of 2022, and more that 37.5 million people in the US. This figure has also been increasing steadily over the past few decades.
There are a number of factors that have contributed to these rather sad statistics, such as:
- the growth of nuclear families;
- fewer extended families;
- the changing social attitudes towards marriage, and, above all,
- the increasing economic independence of women.
While living alone can have a number of benefits, such as independence and privacy, it can also be rather challenging for somepeople who lack social connections. People who live alone are more likely to experience loneliness and social isolation, even being more vulnerable to financial hardship, health problems and wellbeing issues. All this makes the way we treat each other increasingly important, as we cannot tell, just by looking at someone, what their quality of life is like. Sometimes the simplest word or act of acknowledgement can actually make their day.
It is easy to believe that we can't make a difference to others by our actions, but we all have some powerful and desirable tools we can use to make someone, and also ourselves, feel valuable, worthy and appreciated. The beauty of these actions is in their simplicity.
Here are eight things that could be of great value to others. Start giving them today and see the results!
1) THE GIFT OF LISTENING... But, you REALLY must listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening. It demonstrates true personal value, and you could even hear things that give far more meaning that just the surface words.
2) THE GIFT OF AFFECTION... Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back, and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends. It could encourage them to great heights. CHILDREN, in particular need this gift.
3) THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER... Clip and share cartoons, videos, articles and funny stories. I am always eager to pass on anything that makes me laugh during the day to my partner. Your gift will give the message of, "I love to laugh with you", and "I feel good when you're happy."
4) THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE/EMAIL... It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note, a caring enquiry of "Are you okay?", or a full poetic sonnet! Alternatively, a brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life, especially if it appreciates the person or gives them something to think about.
5) THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT... or a word of comfort. A simple and sincere, "You look great in red","You did a super job", or "That was a wonderful meal" can really make someone's day, boost their esteem, and dramatically improve their confidence. CHILDREN, in particular, need this gift.
6) THE GIFT OF A FAVOUR... Go out of your way to do something kind for a stranger as often as you can, something unexpected. Regular actions count more than good intentions, mere words, or once-in-a-while presents.
7) THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE... There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others. Just because you might desire some company at that particular moment does not mean the other person desires it, too.
8) THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION... The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone. It really isn't that hard to say, "Hello" or "Thank You", with a great smile. Whingeing and whining might put others off, but a smile and good cheer are the most welcoming.
How many gifts will you be giving away today? Tomorrow? The next day?Which ones do you find it easiest to give away?
Thanks for reading this, and for simply being there, too. I could not have done this without you! :o)
RELATED PODCAST: Why Some People Find It Difficult To Say 'Thank You'
About the Creator
Elaine Sihera
British Empowerment Coach/Public speaker/DEI Consultant. Author: The New Theory of Confidence and 7 Steps To Finding And Keeping 'The One'!. Graduate/Doctor of Open Univ; Postgrad Cambridge Univ. Keen on motivation, relationships and books.
Keep reading
More stories from Elaine Sihera and writers in Psyche and other communities.
You're Heartbroken...How To Remind Yourself That You're Worthy
A break-up can affect everyone involved in it, but it can be particularly difficult for the person who did not desire it. This is because he/she may be feeling a range of negative emotions, such as sadness, anger, rejection, and betrayal. They may also be struggling to adjust to the loss of their relationship and the changes it brings to their life.
By Elaine Sihera7 months ago in Psyche
The secret journey to regaining emotional stability
Do you feel that the anxious and avoidant types both seem to be strong and independent, but in fact they are sensitive and fragile. They often fall into emotions because of small things and start to be anxious and avoidant? If anxious and avoidant types want to change these, what they actually need is to compensate for their missing parts and heal their injured parts. In this issue, we will teach the avoidant and anxious types how to cultivate themselves again, making their emotions more stable, more rational in relationships, and at the same time gaining the ability to actively output emotional value. If anxious and avoidant types want to overcome the sensitive and fragile parts of themselves and obtain stable emotions, they need not only cognitive adjustments, but also need to heal the traumatized parts of themselves and compensate for the regretful parts of themselves. For example, the regret of the avoidant type is that they have not been paid serious attention to and have never truly rebelled. Therefore, the avoidant type will not fight for their own needs in many situations, resulting in uncomfortable situations and relationships, and they are always running away and wandering. The trauma of the anxious type is that they are trapped in unstable relationships and have been hurt by the instability in intimate relationships. The slightest fluctuation will make the anxious type feel nervous and anxious. Therefore, anxious and avoidant types are inherently fragile, sensitive, and unstable. In summary, these reasons are that something is missing during the growth stage, or they have suffered some trauma, so if you want to solve these problems, this is the time. Compensate when you need to compensate, heal when you need to heal, exercise when you need to exercise, just treat yourself as a child and raise yourself again. If the avoidant and anxious types re-train themselves, what kind of growth can they gain? First of all, emotions will become more and more stable. For example, you can be aware of your emotions at the first time, avoid emotions from affecting your thoughts and judgments, and learn to regulate your emotions. Secondly, you can truly understand yourself and know your real needs and fears. In the process of re-nurturing yourself, you can clearly understand your needs and fears, that is, you can know why you are attracted to a certain person, why you behave like this, and then you can better understand what you need.
By angelababy2 days ago in Psyche
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.