Brain Food #684
A different way to look at gifts
Thoughts of the day
Why do we give gifts?
Beyond the customary significance and the momentary joy they can bring to the receiver, gifts are also an essential part of human psychology. The act of gift-giving is much older than Christianity, with some tracing it back to primitive cavemen culture.
We feel better when we give than when we receive something. Giving has been linked to the release of oxytocin, a hormone that is also released during sex and breastfeeding. Oxytocin is known as the love hormone: it induces feelings of warmth, euphoria, and connection to others.
The legendary Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the world’s missing ancient wonder, were in fact a gift of love, by King Nebuchadnezzar to his wife Semiramis, a Persian princess. They were meant to be a place to create wonder and awe. Yet, even the most grandiose of gifts can disappear.
The best types of gifts may not have huge price tags, or any price tag at all.
Something more intangible may, sometimes, be the best approach. An expression of love or appreciation. A gift that might not make sense now, but it may be invaluable in the future.
And, an important thing to remember, is that we all have been handed many gifts already. Part of living, and what indeed makes us human, is not only to give gifts, but also to share our gifts with others.
“I didn't expect to recover from my second operation but since I did, I consider that I'm living on borrowed time. Every day that dawns is a gift to me and I take it in that way. I accept it gratefully without looking beyond it. I completely forget my physical suffering and all the unpleasantness of my present condition and I think only of the joy of seeing the sun rise once more and of being able to work a little bit, even under difficult conditions.”
― Henri Matisse
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