The most selfish thing I ever did was to give.

Nayamode has had the honor of being listed as one of the Most Philanthropic Companies in WA state more than once. From our inception, we’ve tried to instill a giving ethic that has manifested itself in some distinct ways. We give financially as a company and we match our employees’ gifts of money to deserving organizations. We give on behalf of our employees, without requiring a match. And we encourage our employees to volunteer their time and skills regularly, where we speak with our actions, beyond just our check-books.

Which has resulted in people asking us why we do what we do. The answer is quite simple really.

Giving is probably the most selfish thing I do.

There are so many rewards that accrue that vastly outweigh any perceived ‘costs’ of giving. From a corporate perspective, it helps humanize us as a company. It establishes that we are about more than just widgets and numbers, that we have a heart and soul, and that we are not always guided purely by the bottom-line. It attracts the right kind of talent to our ranks, people who want to be part of something greater than themselves, people who care about their community, people who want to share in their good fortune with those less fortunate than themselves. And I believe it shows our customers that we care.

But that’s not why I personally choose to give. I give because I have consistently found greater joy in giving than in receiving, just as the cliché suggests. The ability to be able to touch another life in a meaningful manner can’t be measured in dollars and cents. The fulfillment in reducing someone’s anxiety even if for just a little while, or the satisfaction in providing some succor to another, in the midst of a stressful day or week, can’t be quantified. And perhaps, the opportunity to positively affect a family’s life, is the greatest gift of all.

Giving is the most selfish thing I do. I invite you to try it.