2007-03-08 15:47:42 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
The single biggest thing you could do would be to listen.
Just listen.
Almost everyone jumps right in with THEIR thing.
I'm referring specifically to when people are telling you something meaningful to them -- whether giving good news or bad, or trying to understand something about themselves, relaying a hurtful experience, trying to figure out a situation, any time it has emotional weight, expressing fear.
Almost everyone either tells them not to feel as they do, or tries to fix it, or tells what happened to them, or how it relates to them.
One of our deepest needs is to feel we're understood, and that the person we're talking to (sharing a bit of ourself with) participates in our feelings.
And one of the worst is not being heard or listened to.
Take a few seconds to hear what they're saying, and to feel with the person -- whether they're happy, sad, scared, enraged, relieved, or some combination.
And when you've participated in what they're expressing, if you have the words to express it, do so.
Just listening -- or, rather, Listening.
That's giving a lot, and giving something people really need and very, very rarely get.
2007-03-08 16:05:38 · answer #1 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is so simple, most people will miss it. Glad to know you thought to ask. To be more giving to those around you.. be an up-lifter...a what? Well, first... smile, be nice, do nice things when people need it. Also, joke around, be humorous. Make people feel good to just be around you. Have a big smile on your face, be quick to say "hello" or "have a great day", be there for people, like the listening part the other responder had below. As far as giving, giving yourself through volunteerism is wonderful. You could join the peace corps or the red cross or some other organization that helps many. I feel charity starts at home. Help your family and community out. Find a need fill a need. Now, as far as humor. Always have some one liners or easy, clean jokes to tell to break a mood. Be careful though, in some situations, a jokester or laugh is just not a great idea. Now, why did you pull me over officer, I was not paying attention, I was preoccupied with this video game.
2007-03-09 14:12:07 · answer #2 · answered by GA-Seagull 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Volunteer your time to a charity or a hospital or a fundraising event. Volunteering helps everyone in the community and it would also help you as you can put it on a resume and also if you live in canada it would go towards your highschool 40hours of community service OR a university application.
Other than that you can be a giving person by being kind to people... smiling at that person who you think is annoying or gross. Offering a hand when someone needs help. Lending someone a quarter for the payphone or so on. These are the kinds of things that most people take for granted... but are really appreciated by the people you practice them on.
Goodluck. And don't forget to volunteer!
2007-03-08 23:56:54 · answer #3 · answered by Satcaddict86 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simple:
Everytime you're about to do something (anything pleasant or nice) that would really serve you well, share it with the people around you. Think of them more often than having your usual "me", "myself", and "I" attitude.
Most of all... give unconditionally; not because you're forced to do so for the sake of just doing so.
2007-03-09 07:16:08 · answer #4 · answered by InfoDeficient=c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋