"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." ~ Mahatma Gandhi.

Most people think you will be much happier if you make more money.

Making more money makes you a little bit happier, but it doesn't significantly impact you. On the other hand, spending your money the right way gives you much more than happiness. 

Every holiday season, I adopt a family in need with my community and family. We set aside time to buy gifts for a family in need. They struggle to put food on the table, let alone buy gifts for their family.

It takes vulnerability to ask for help and have strangers come into your house to drop off gifts and food. 

The families we serve are such a blessing. They are so gracious and grateful, and you can tell they are overwhelmed by their generosity. It's amazing to see the direct impact. One family invited us in for hot chocolate to thank us.

So true, money can't buy happiness but spending money on others or giving to charity puts a big smile on your face than buying things for yourself. 

3 Reasons why Giving is More Important than Receiving

1. Giving helps others.

You can give if you're blessed with the means to live a reasonably comfortable way of life.

The world outside can be dark, and those who have little or nothing depend on the generosity and loving kindness of people with a giving spirit.

When you give to the less fortunate, you add to their lives - and by adding to theirs, you add to yours too.

2. Giving inspires giving.

People who have been on the receiving end of kindness to pay it forward and give to others even when they have hardly anything to give.

Perpetuating the cycle of giving makes the world a better, more humane place to live in. 

3. Giving cultivates self-worth.

You may be giving for a selfish reason - you'll feel good about yourself.

Even so, the effects of your kindness on others are purely positive, and you can bask in the joy that giving brings to those you've helped.

There's nothing wrong with feeling proud of your generosity and using that to spur you on to further acts of kindness in the future. Giving makes you happy.

Seeing the smiles, gratitude, and expressions of hope on the faces of those who are kind makes giving worthwhile.

Even research suggests that giving leads to greater happiness for the giver. In numerous studies, scientists found that those who spent money on others were happier even though they had the option to spend the money on themselves.

Giving does make a difference. No matter how much or how little you can give, you have the power to touch the life of another person, and you can affect them in ways you may never ultimately be aware of.

It's easy to be cynical today and think that the help you can offer is insignificant, but it only takes a small gesture of kindness to change someone else's life.

There's so much that you can give.

• You can give your time.
• You can give your warmth and friendship.
• You can provide a listening ear or a shoulder to lean on.
• And, of course, you can give materially or monetarily. 

Whatever you decide to give, know that a pure spirit and a generous heart can be your path to genuine happiness.