Why Giving Back Always Matters

Back in the day, my first job in Greece was as a Lab Manager in an automotive fuels storage and lubricants blending plant. At the end of every month, I would get a big bag full of condensed milk cans and dry rusks (hard biscuits) because work at such a plant was considered ‘heavy-duty and unhealthy’ under Greek law—the remnants of a different era! I remember giving this bag to an orphanage close to my home because they liked to make a special dessert out of it, and seeing the smiles and hearing the young voices when I arrived. I always felt good that I could provide this little ‘treat’, yet embarrassed about my good fortune.

Giving and learning

Over the years in my professional life, I have experienced ‘prosperous times’ in my work environment, as well as the downturn of the markets and the big financial crisis in Greece during the last decade. It was a big shock and realisation for me that what one generation before me took for granted—a job for life—wasn’t a given for my generation, and even more so for my kids. However, I also realised how fortunate I was, because at a time when I was out of a job, I had my family to give me strength as well as moral and financial support, and dear friends who had my back and I had theirs.

It was during that period where I had some extra time on my hands to organise a special bazaar for my daughter’s first-grade class. The kids in the class could not only make and sell some items to raise money for a good cause, but they also had the chance to visit the charity they selected and get to see where the money went. I felt very proud because what started as a one-off initiative from an unemployed mother became a yearly tradition where hosting the bazaar became a ‘competitive’ event, and many children were able to make great memories and learn the value of giving back. They painted a ‘home away from home’ for hearing impaired children in Athens, where they also got to learn about sign language; they organised a mini concert in an orphanage; and they played games with children with special needs in a schooling facility. The beauty of children is that they do not overthink, they do not judge, they just dive into a task with gusto and a sense of fun and sometimes even mischief! For them, it is always about having a good time.

However, in all the times that I did something to give back, I always felt a bit bad: I, the privileged, the lucky, the fortunate, felt I was patronisingly giving back to appease my good fortune, to take away the hubris of being in a better state than others. I even felt ashamed that I, by some lucky draw of the cards, was born in a safe environment with the opportunity for good education, when others don’t have such luck or chances. With age, I have come to terms with this and have realized, at the end of the day, whatever we give back, regardless of the reason and the circumstances, however big or small, makes a difference in someone’s life.

It’s the little things too

A smile and thank you to the tram driver; some good advice to a colleague, a friend or even a stranger; a donation to a cause close to our hearts; time from our busy lives to make someone’s world a bit easier— all of these things bring happiness to my soul, and I hope that holds true for the person on the receiving end as well. Especially lately with COVID-19, I see neighbours helping older people with groceries or house cleaning, PPE donations, my colleagues posting a small video concert, and I feel, at least for a moment, that all is right in the world, because giving back always matters…