The Joy Of Giving

A lesson from our furry friends… let’s infuse kindness and genuineness into our actions. 🐾

Nostalgia has a funny way of sneaking up on us, right? A word, a song, or even a familiar whiff, and suddenly — bam! We’re right back in the past. Today, it was just two little words that did it. My hubby still calls them “magic words” for the kids, even though our kids are adults now. But to me, they’ll always be what my dad called them — Golden Words, capable of smoothing over any mess and getting us out of almost any tough spot.

Let’s rewind a few decades to those epic family gatherings where awkwardly stuffed into party clothes, we were tutored to parrot two words: “Sorry” and “Thank You” — our secret armour to charm our way out of most troubles and score hearts up our sleeve! We’d run wild, merrily through the halls until Mom caught hold of us nudging us to recite a nursery rhyme. Another aunt would prompt her kid to follow the suit complete with actions! lol. And of course, we complied, happy little performers. Then, our favourite uncle would pull out a fistful of candies, and the moms would dart the familiar silent signal: “Say, ‘No, thank you!’ Really? Expecting a four-year-old to refuse candy? With our eyes locked on that sweet treasure, we’d solemnly shake our heads (mind you, up and down, not side to side) and would be rewarded with two candies!

Ah, the world of polite niceties! Those golden words may not have opened the gates to Willy Wonka’s factory, but they rocked our lives back then. They smoothed over spills, blurred our mistakes, and made us believe we genuinely cared — even when we were too young to keep our pants up!
A polite “sorry” could fix the messiest blunders, while a heartfelt “thank you” could melt the hardest hearts.
But over time, those golden words have lost their lustre, reduced to mere automated pleasantries — hollow and transactional.

Today, we still find ourselves at those gatherings — albeit a few inches taller and (hopefully) more polished. But how the dynamics have shifted! In this digital world, parties have become subtle competitions: who’s rocking the sassiest look, who’s off on exotic vacays, or who’s posting the best Insta stories. We enter the party feeling like a million bucks, only to find that the only admirer of our outfit is the mirror. We strut, we pose, but compliments are as elusive as that last slice of cake. We crave that look that shouts WOW, only to be met by a sea of faces glued to their screens, busy capturing their own moments!
Amidst this indifference, there’s always that one classic relative or friend who sizes us up from head to toe, noting every detail while keeping her lips sealed. Then, a few days later, a random Facebook post appears, and guess who’s sporting an outfit eerily similar to ours?
Welcome to the social maze, where we navigate with plastered smiles and sugar-coated words, all the while hoping our efforts don’t come off as too rehearsed or insincere!

“Sorry” often slips out as a reflex — more a tactic to sidestep awkwardness than a heartfelt sentiment. When was the last time we said “sorry” and truly meant it (remember, Dil Se Sorry)? Too often, it’s a preemptive peace offering, a verbal shield tossed out to dodge a potential argument.
I catch myself doing this all the time — muttering “sorry” under my breath to keep the peace while my mind stages a courtroom monologue full of counterarguments!

Genuine apologies don’t flow as easily as they once did. They’ve morphed into emotional quicksand: the more we wrestle with them, the deeper we sink. Our ego resists acknowledging our flaws, turning what should be sincere apologies into mere formalities. ‘Sorry’ is meant to reveal our humility, showcasing our vulnerability and accountability for our mistakes. Yet, ego crashes the gate, and it shifts to damage control — just an empty gesture, better left unsaid.

In this virtual age, “sorry” has been further reduced to an emoji or GIF sent over WhatsApp, stripped of any real sentiment. We’ve traded heartfelt apologies for quick digital fixes.

Real strength lies not in maintaining a flawless facade but in embracing our imperfections. When we struggle to accept our shortcomings, we deny ourselves the chance to grow. If we can’t acknowledge our failures, where’s the opportunity to learn from them? Owning our mistakes makes us more human, not less. After all, “To err is human,” but recognizing our mistakes and taking steps to rectify them should be our goal. We may not be perfect, but we can always strive to be a work in progress.

Then there’s “Thank You” — two simple words that should roll off as naturally as breathing. Yet for some, expressing gratitude can feel agonizing. We know the type: they see our hard work, make eye contact, and just when a “thank you” is warranted, they offer only a tight-lipped half-smile. As if saying “Well done” would cost them a fortune.
We’ve all been there — putting our heart into something, whether it’s cooking a feast for the in-laws, hosting a memorable birthday party, or acing a work project, only to be met with lukewarm responses. How often have we delivered a stellar presentation or accomplished a challenging task, only to receive tight-lipped smiles and a half-hearted ‘Nice’?
It’s human nature to seek validation in those glorious moments, and when praise doesn’t come from expected sources, we can’t help but feel slighted.

It’s not that they don’t see our accomplishments — they do, loud and clear. Yet their egos chokehold them, hissing, “Don’t give them the satisfaction! Let them wonder!” And we’re left questioning whether our efforts even registered. But they did! Often, it’s those closest to us — whether at work or in life — whose insecurities struggle to embrace our brilliance. Whether they withhold recognition out of envy or competition, it boils down to this: they fear that acknowledging our success will somehow diminish their own. Little do they realize that celebrating each other’s victories only strengthens our collective spirit.

So why stay silent? Why wait for someone else to clap first? Why hold back our feelings of gratitude? Why not be the first to compliment a friend’s new haircut or praise a colleague’s brilliant idea? It feels good — and guess what? It’s contagious.
Truly confident people are the ones cheering the loudest when we succeed — whether we nail a presentation or craft a whimsical poem. Why? Because they understand that our success doesn’t diminish theirs. In celebrating others, they elevate themselves. It’s like they’ve uncovered a profound truth: there’s no shortage of wins, and words of encouragement don’t cost a dime. They inspire us to realize that success isn’t a competition; it’s a shared journey.

So next time we hesitate to offer a compliment or an apology, let’s ask ourselves: what’s holding us back? Often, it’s simply insecurity. Genuine kindness doesn’t need a prompt; it thrives in the moment. The act of giving — whether it’s kind words, a thoughtful gift, or a simple gesture — creates its own magic. It’s not about what we receive in return, but about making a meaningful impact and finding fulfillment in that alone.

For the longest time, I craved external validation (from a select few whose opinions held significant weight in my life.) Just a single word of praise could lift my spirits, but when those words didn’t come, it felt as if a heavy blanket had settled over me, dulling the brightness of my day. Looking back, I realize how this need for validation subtly affected my relationships. I became so focused on receiving praise that I lost sight of a fundamental truth: our true worth comes from within.

One quiet evening, while meditating, a profound sense of peace washed over me. In that stillness, I heard a gentle voice within, reassuring me, “You are enough, just as you are.” That realization shifted everything. I stopped seeking approval from others and began to draw strength from within. The more I practised this, the clearer it became that the compliments I once craved were merely reflections of the love I needed to give myself.

Through daily gratitude and self-reflection, I gradually learned to appreciate my own strengths, nurturing a sense of worth that didn’t rely on others. This inner transformation allowed me to reconnect with my natural generosity, free from expectations. I discovered a deeper appreciation for those around me — rooted in genuine gratitude and kindness, unencumbered by any strings attached.

At our core, we are meant to give freely, apologize sincerely, and compliment wholeheartedly. Yet, our egos often complicate this, making us feel we need something in return. Only by releasing these expectations can we truly be generous — with others and ourselves. When we apologize, let it forge connections rather than simply avoid conflict. When we compliment, let it genuinely honour someone else’s brilliance, free from concern what are we getting in return?

As we navigate our days, let’s take a moment to reflect: When was the last time we offered a heartfelt compliment or a sincere apology? I challenge you to share at least one kind word today — be it praising a colleague’s hard work or expressing gratitude to a friend. These small acts of generosity not only uplift others but also nourish our own spirits.

Life is too short to hold back. Let’s embrace generosity and kindness, creating ripples of positivity around us.
What will you do today to spread a little more joy?