2024 has no doubt provided us all challenges and rewards – so far. Sometimes they come at us out of the blue. Other times we see them coming or, in the case of rewards, we work towards them.

 Recently I attended the opening of a new multi sports facility at a former school of mine. The occasion was marked with a wonderful mix of formality and light heartedness. In the process, over many years, of reaching the milestone of opening the building there has no doubt been a healthy mix of challenges and rewards.

 One of the “rewards” that struck me as I sat with the other attendees and listened to the speeches was the reward that comes with giving.

 To bring this facility to fruition had required significant commercial input. The overriding message though, was how thankful the school was for the generosity of those who had given to the cause. Some of the giving was financial, some was in kind, some was via expertise and in many cases the uniting gift was time.

 Research indicates that giving is an expression of personal values. People who give, have sharing their lives with others and concern for the wellbeing of others as central to their values.

 Research also shows that people give because their hearts rule over their heads. There is a strong emotional attachment to the giving. 

 Giving is also often contagious, meaning that the generous act of one gift encourages others to give likewise.

 Giving in itself relates to our fundamental need for connectivity and sense of community.

 A donated art work on the wall of the facility noted that this is “ about community, collaboration and a strengths based approach. It acknowledges that everybody has something to offer and by working together we can all flourish”.  The proverb that accompanied it reads “ With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive”.

As the end of the calendar year approaches it can be a time to both reflect and plan. Reflect on what has been. Plan for what is to come or, more accurately, what we would like to be ahead of us. None of us know for sure.

What gifts have you given, and been given, this year?

And next year?

It’s food for thought.