The Power of the Secret Gift

Gifting is a momentary influence. It provides excellent and abnormal production of goodwill. When we give, we accelerate altruistic behavior.

Every gift has the potential inherent to afford increased happiness. If not for the practicality of its nature, then for the valued thought behind it. But there is an even more powerful aspect entailed in the gift that is secret.

A secret, in this sense, means not broadly known. Therefore, a secret gift is hidden from plain sight. It is given without desire of increasing particular personal influence or fame.

A gift is secret if one does not know the giver.

The power of the secret gift lies in the absence of specific responsibility. There is no demand attached, whether it be voiced or subliminal. There are only generalities. Therefore, it is not linked to an individual generosity, but rather the generosity of the human social organism.

You can see the inference here. Upon receiving a secret gift, you do not deduce that just one person is nice, but rather that humans, in general, are a bit nicer than you thought. And that makes you treat not just that one individual nicer, but the whole human species.

Kindness and benevolence are met primarily with reciprocation.

So if you want someone to treat you well, give to them openly. But if you want someone to treat all humans better, give to them in secret.

To spread kindness and giving at a more rapid rate, increase your giving of anonymous, secret gifts. They don't have to be large, it can be a small thing. Like giving up your place in line or paying for someone's coffee. The key is to not claim credit, or indeed, allow credit to be appointed to you. That ruins the point.

We want to believe that humans are great.

But a negative opinion attempts to inject itself in the mind upon not-so-pleasant experiences with them. Secret and anonymous gifting works to counteract that negative opinion.

This is its power. And this is why we must promote it everywhere we go. Because kindness must be shown to people everywhere, not just our personal circle.

Originally publishes on http://andwethink.wordpress.com