Emily, I’m very interested in the creativity /well-being connection so I’ll investigate the Erikson/Sani references. Will be useful for my dissertation!

Cassie - I like the idea of the cross-current of energy in gifts; can you elaborate on the replenishment process you mention please? I watched the story of stuff - like Nef’s one planet living: http://www.neweconomics.org/gen/z_sys_PublicationDetail.aspx?PID=214

Bridget

Apologies for only now commenting on your article. It felt particularly relevant to have read it today as I have only recently returned to London and have been unpacking my Christmas gifts!

Your points have been very thought provoking and mostly lead me to think back to one of my favourite books, Lewis Hyde’s The Gift: How the Creative Spirit Transforms the World.

The book is primarily speaking about gifts that are tangible rather than the ideas of giving time, giving skills, or giving ideas, but really the essence of the book is that a gift can take any shape or form.

The first part of the book is an investigation into the psychic, psychological, mysterious and material nature of gifts and gift giving. He speaks of the creative spirit understanding that nothing can be owned which is essential to a gift-giving culture, and particularly pertinent for our culture now as planetary resources diminish, we are going to need to learn to share, and give and give up.

By studying gift economies around the world he found that gifts link people and commerce separates them, the nature of a gift culture being based around establishing bonds within communities and between tribes, rather than about trading. In the culture of the America Indian, gifts must be passed on - they can be consumed but they must not be hoarded, and eventually, somehow, the one who has given a gift at the beginning, will find it returned to them, in some form, to complete the circle.

Lewis Hyde also speaks of a gift as being like a “ cross-current “ of energy from the giver to the person receiving the gift. Inspired by the book I now find that I often give gifts quietly imagining the energy that they represent, or the energy of the intention behind them. And each time I buy a gift I try and replenish something in the process that had been a part of making it.

And the circle idea lead me to think of this 20 minute film if you have time to view it : http://www.storyofstuff.com/

Thank you again Bridget for inspiring thought!

I really enjoyed your post. Particularly your observations that there is a lack of research within Positive Psychology on giving. The work done by Lyubomirsky et al does give us some insight into the short term benefits, but not long term benefits, of giving. The topic is complex but we do know from social psychology that, especially with older people, giving time and help to others is better for health and well-being, than receiving this help.

Erik Erikson had some interesting things to say on giving, or what he called generativity. Human activities such as teaching, mentoring and producing useful ideas are high in generativity and this results in the production of something that contributes to the betterment of society. Studies show that people high on generativity are mentally healthier and more integrated into society. Fabio Sani, at the University of Dundee is studying the effects of generativity on Socioeconomic status and well-being. His model is very simple and his findings are based on a very large sample.

I had not heard of the g-nation website, It’s great and really useful. I will definitly be recommending it to some teachers I know.

Looking forward to your next post,

Emily