What Kind of Giver are you?

It is so important to recognize all the ways in which people are able to give. Often times people feel that they don't have much to give because they aren't overly wealthy. This just isn’t true. Many of the natural talents we possess are worth as much or more than the dinner tab. You do have something to give to others. At a minimum, you can always give effort. Most people will recognize and appreciate that.  There are many different types of givers. You probably see a mix of these personality types in your own life. When you read these you will likely recognize where you or your friends and family fall within these categories. The fixer - There are those who can fix absolutely everything and if you are lucky enough to have a fixer in your life you know just how great they can be. When they come to visit, they hang pictures, repair holes in your walls, paint, take care of any household repair, and complete any task you put in front of them. You don't have to call 3-4 professionals because you can always count on your fixer. The giver - For lack of a better word there is no other way to describe the giver. They give you the last bite, their bed, their jacket if you are chilled. There is literally nothing that they won’t give to you including the shirt off their back. They spend their days searching and looking for an opportunity to give. They are unhappy if they are unable to give. The helper - The helper loves to give their time. On a close level, they do laundry, cook meals, clean, run errands, and anything that is on your to-do list. On a less familiar level, they introduce you to new people, show you around the town, and make an effort to make you feel comfortable. The helper always has time for your needs and helps out because they like you.  The planner - The planner often times gets overlooked. This little gem looks for opportunities to show you a good time. They find the seats, the restaurants, the best breakfast in town, the great tours, and all the special little spots you may well have missed if it were not for their expert care. They thrive on your entertainment and enjoyment. They want to make your time together memorable and special. The manfester - The manifester is the master of getting what they desire. They can turn just about anything into gold. They buy properties, invest in opportunities, and have a nose for sniffing out wealth. The manifester has the ability to give on every level, but most see the manifester as a financial giver. Others can only give at the level in which their talent or expertise lies. The manifester gives by teaching others and showing the potential of what is attainable.  The lover - The lover lives to love. They massage your back, hold your hand when you can’t sleep, offer the kind words, and support you when you need them the most. They look for ways to let you know how much you mean to them. They notice your new hair style, the 5 pounds you lost, and your new outfit. They can’t resist noticing every good thing about you. They feel good by making others feel good around them. The believer - The believer is invested in your dreams. They help make them a reality in any way they can. They speak highly of you, promote you, and see your success so clearly that it makes you feel stronger. They are invested in your life. Your victories are like their own. They are your biggest and best fans. They will go out of their way to seize an opportunity for you at all costs. The organizer - The organizer is a master at keeping things in order. They reorganize your cabinets, clean out the garages, put things in tupperware containers, and make everything easy to find. They make lists and schedule repairs so everything is in perfect working order. They give in the short-term so things stay on track for the long-term. They believe in efficiency and they give their time to make life less chaotic. I think you get the idea. We are all givers in one way or another. The important thing is to find out what kind of giver you are. Now, this will likely change depending on the company you keep. Sometimes you assume different roles depending on who you are with. It is important to recognize these roles. Your needs will change depending on the people you hang out with. You can go from planner one weekend, to helper, to organizer. The message here is simple: You do have the ability to give in some way. Giving can set off a chain reaction of more giving, and then receiving, and more giving. Giving is contagious. The more people who experience it, the more people will offer it to others.  On a final note, there are two precautions to be aware of when it comes to giving. First, giving should never be expected or forced upon anyone. In the end the your willingness to give will add more wealth, more joy, and more meaning to your life. Second, be careful to give for the right reasons. Make sure you are not simply giving to boost your ego. Give to help the man, not be the man. It doesn't matter if you donated the money to build the soup kitchen or if you are volunteering in it. Both are equally important and necessary.   Many of the natural talents we possess are worth as much or more than the dinner tab. You do have something to give to others. At a minimum, you can always give effort. Most people will recognize and appreciate that.  There are many different types of givers. You probably see a mix of these personality types in your own life. When you read these you will likely recognize where you or your friends and family fall within these categories. The fixer - There are those who can fix absolutely everything and if you are lucky enough to have a fixer in your life you know just how great they can be. When they come to visit, they hang pictures, repair holes in your walls, paint, take care of any household repair, and complete any task you put in front of them. You don't have to call 3-4 professionals because you can always count on your fixer. The giver - For lack of a better word there is no other way to describe the giver. They give you the last bite, their bed, their jacket if you are chilled. There is literally nothing that they won’t give to you including the shirt off their back. They spend their days searching and looking for an opportunity to give. They are unhappy if they are unable to give. The helper - The helper loves to give their time. On a close level, they do laundry, cook meals, clean, run errands, and anything that is on your to-do list. On a less familiar level, they introduce you to new people, show you around the town, and make an effort to make you feel comfortable. The helper always has time for your needs and helps out because they like you.  The planner - The planner often times gets overlooked. This little gem looks for opportunities to show you a good time. They find the seats, the restaurants, the best breakfast in town, the great tours, and all the special little spots you may well have missed if it were not for their expert care. They thrive on your entertainment and enjoyment. They want to make your time together memorable and special. The manfester - The manifester is the master of getting what they desire. They can turn just about anything into gold. They buy properties, invest in opportunities, and have a nose for sniffing out wealth. The manifester has the ability to give on every level, but most see the manifester as a financial giver. Others can only give at the level in which their talent or expertise lies. The manifester gives by teaching others and showing the potential of what is attainable.  The lover - The lover lives to love. They massage your back, hold your hand when you can’t sleep, offer the kind words, and support you when you need them the most. They look for ways to let you know how much you mean to them. They notice your new hair style, the 5 pounds you lost, and your new outfit. They can’t resist noticing every good thing about you. They feel good by making others feel good around them. The believer - The believer is invested in your dreams. They help make them a reality in any way they can. They speak highly of you, promote you, and see your success so clearly that it makes you feel stronger. They are invested in your life. Your victories are like their own. They are your biggest and best fans. They will go out of their way to seize an opportunity for you at all costs. The organizer - The organizer is a master at keeping things in order. They reorganize your cabinets, clean out the garages, put things in tupperware containers, and make everything easy to find. They make lists and schedule repairs so everything is in perfect working order. They give in the short-term so things stay on track for the long-term. They believe in efficiency and they give their time to make life less chaotic. I think you get the idea. We are all givers in one way or another. The important thing is to find out what kind of giver you are. Now, this will likely change depending on the company you keep. Sometimes you assume different roles depending on who you are with. It is important to recognize these roles. Your needs will change depending on the people you hang out with. You can go from planner one weekend, to helper, to organizer. The message here is simple: You do have the ability to give in some way. Giving can set off a chain reaction of more giving, and then receiving, and more giving. Giving is contagious. The more people who experience it, the more people will offer it to others.  On a final note, there are two precautions to be aware of when it comes to giving. First, giving should never be expected or forced upon anyone. In the end the your willingness to give will add more wealth, more joy, and more meaning to your life. Second, be careful to give for the right reasons. Make sure you are not simply giving to boost your ego. Give to help the man, not be the man. It doesn't matter if you donated the money to build the soup kitchen or if you are volunteering in it. Both are equally important and necessary.