Why Giving is Good for Us with Dr. Stephen Post

We typically choose to be giving because we want to help others. But you are, in fact, the real benefactor of your generosity. As you give, you also receive. When you are generous, loving, and kind you are the one who receives the gifts of your loving, kind, and generous heart. 

In this episode Matt interviews Dr. Stephen Post, whose books have received acclaim from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Deepak Chopra. Stephen and Matt talk about his book on giving called When Good Things Happen to Good People, a book that emphasizes the positive impact of acts of kindness and generosity on one's own well-being.

Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation: 

• Why giving is good for us

• Goodness in the heart of a child

• How we can apply compassion and kindness to our everyday life

• The importance of winning with love

• Considering your adversaries as your friends

[02:24] The Value of Giving

In the realm of giving, it's not enough to simply perform an action. Scientific evidence has shown that the level of empathy and care infused into the act is paramount. It's not about the quantity of the donation, but rather the quality of compassion and kindness put into it. This approach yields numerous benefits for all individuals, regardless of age or background. It's particularly advantageous for those experiencing certain medical conditions. As such, it's crucial to remain mindful of this principle and impart its value to younger generations.

[07:37] Goodness in the Heart of a Child

Children possess a pure and innate goodness, but often this quality is overshadowed by external factors. To cultivate this trait within families, it's important to establish a support system that includes positive role models and clear family values. Encouragement and opportunities for volunteering can also be instrumental in fostering altruistic behavior from adolescence throughout the entire lifespan. Despite common negative cultural beliefs that humans are inherently selfish, recent scientific research has shown that kindness and love have numerous benefits. Scientists are now dedicating their work towards exploring the many forms of love, which is producing promising results.

[21:43] The Importance of Winning with Love

Life presents us with many obstacles, and our responsibility is to continue growing as individuals. It's crucial to persevere with love despite any difficulties that may arise and resist the temptation of getting caught up in negativity. Although this can be challenging, it's important to approach life with a love-filled attitude and not let external factors bring us down. While suffering may be present, it's often linked to our attachment to certain things or circumstances.

Notable quotes:

[02:37] It's not how much you give, but how much kindness you put into the giving that matters. [02:42] 

[07:37] There's a lot of goodness in the heart of a child. The problem is that we push the wrong buttons. [07:43]

[21:50] Our job is to stick with love, if we can, no matter what, and not allow ourselves to get sucked down into this negative, seething boiling cauldron, which is easy to do. [22:05]

Resources Mentioned: 

StephenGPost.com

UnlimitedLoveInstitute.org

Email: StephenGPost@gmail.com 

Books: 

Dignity for Deeply Forgetful People

God and Love on Route 80

When Good Things Happen to Good People

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About the Guest 

For over 20 years, Dr. Stephen G. Post has been spreading the science of giving and the commitment to the greater good. He has promoted the idea of “give and live better” across the globe. Funding over 50 scientific studies at the nation’s top universities as well as conducting his own research, Stephen brings a new level of insight into the ways in which we benefit as givers.