“Happiness comes from giving, not getting. If we try hard to bring happiness to others, we cannot stop it from coming to us also. To get joy, we must give it, and to keep joy, we must scatter it.” - John Templeton

The best things life are free. It’s true. Also true is the fact that your happiness is in the happiness of others. I don’t think anyone would be happy to be completely alone on a deserted island, even if it would be possible to have all the material things money can buy.

Do you enjoy receiving gifts? Do you enjoy giving gifts to others? We all do! It’s a very nice, positive experience. The problem is that most of the gifts we’re giving are material, and your money is very often limited…

Did you even think about free gifts? No, not the material kind of free gifts (those have very often limited effects anyway). I’m talking about another kind of gifts, the kind that offers not only pleasure to the target and yourself, but also creates happiness for both of you.

  1. Gift of Affection. We all want to feel needed and loved. Handholds, pats on the back, hugs, kisses – these are gifts that you can give at no cost! They demonstrate your love towards friends and family, and help you in building strong relationships.
  2. Gift of a Compliment. A simple compliment coming from deep within your heart has the power to make someone’s day. It’s a gift that creates huge amounts of positive energy instantly, and it doesn’t cost a dime!
  3. Gift of a Favor. You’re not perfect, I’m not perfect; we all need some help from time to time. Do something kind for someone who is in need! It doesn’t have to be a friend or part of the family. The biggest satisfaction comes from helping someone who can’t pay you back. Has a stranger ever helped you with anything? Didn’t it feel great? It gives you that positive thought that “there’s still good in the world” and it also improves your confidence.
  4. Gift of a Smile. Smiling is contagious. It has the power to instantly lighten up any situation or person. Smiling is also free!
  5. Gift of Listening. Stop your rumblings and just pay attention to what the one next to you has to say. Really listen; no daydreaming, no planning responses, no interruptions, just listen. I am a big fan of the “The Simpsons” series, and in one of the episodes I recently watched, Homer learned to listen to his family (season 13, episode 9).

Give these gifts as often as you can, and I can promise you that you’ll feel an enormous improvement in many aspects of your life!

I know that this list has a lot of potential to expand, but I wanted to know your opinion too. Your gift suggestions are welcome in the comments!



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  • Cristina

    I love the “free gifts” ! I love every one of it!BUT My favorite is the gift of Smiling :D it’s just perfect for any ocasion :D and I also Smile… A LOT! :D
    there is also the gift of Advice…I think :D sounds like a nice thing to do for someone .. right? And the gift of Careness (I hope I wrote that correctly)… It doesnt seems enough just to listen to someone talking, You also have to care….right? :D

  • Cristina

    I love the “free gifts” ! I love every one of it!BUT My favorite is the gift of Smiling :D it’s just perfect for any ocasion :D and I also Smile… A LOT! :D

    there is also the gift of Advice…I think :D sounds like a nice thing to do for someone .. right? And the gift of Careness (I hope I wrote that correctly)… It doesnt seems enough just to listen to someone talking, You also have to care….right? :D

  • http://armannd.com/ Titus-Armand

    I can see that you smile a lot even in the online space, that’s very good! :)

    The gift of advice… this could be a little controversial, because people give advices based on their individual truths, values and perceptions and these aren’t always congruent with the ones of other people. But the intention behind it is a good one, and that energy alone has the power to do good (even if the advice itself isn’t that excellent). ;)

  • http://armannd.com/ Titus-Armand

    I can see that you smile a lot even in the online space, that’s very good! :)

    The gift of advice… this could be a little controversial, because people give advices based on their individual truths, values and perceptions and these aren’t always congruent with the ones of other people. But the intention behind it is a good one, and that energy alone has the power to do good (even if the advice itself isn’t that excellent). ;)