Be a Giver, Not a Taker · Going Public with Ross Mandell

Be a Giver, Not a Taker

Listen, I’ve been around long enough to know one thing, nothing, and I mean nothing, will supercharge your happiness faster than giving. Not taking. Giving. And I’m not talking about the “do it for the tax write-off” kind of giving. I mean real, no-strings-attached, straight-from-the-soul generosity.

Maybe that’s why it’s in my blood. My father? He survived the Holocaust as a kid. Lived in refugee camps across Europe for six brutal years. Six. Years. Until one day, a U.S. charity stepped in and sponsored his family. That’s why my old man gave his whole life, to people, to causes, to anyone who needed it. And guess what? He passed that down to me and my siblings. It’s called paying it forward, and it’s a hell of a lot more than a slogan.

The Blender Rule

I’ve got a buddy, smart guy, who’s got this little thing he does every time he buys something big. Could be a TV, a car, a fancy blender, whatever. He picks the model he really wants… then he buys the one just below it. The difference in price? Straight to charity. No hesitation. And here’s the kicker—every time he uses that item, he remembers what he did and it fires him up to do more.

You can do the same thing without even spending a dime, like donating the stuff you already own. We all have too much crap anyway. You know it, I know it. Instead of letting it rot in storage or tossing it in the trash, give it to someone who’ll treasure it. One man’s junk really is another man’s miracle.

Your Time Is Worth More Than Money

Now, don’t think this is all about writing checks or dumping stuff in a donation bin. Your time is one of the most valuable things you’ve got. And giving it away selflessly? That’s the magic.

But here’s the rule, if you’re doing it for credit, recognition, or to get something in return… it doesn’t count. This isn’t about ego, it’s about impact. Teachers used to say when you cheat, you’re only cheating yourself. Same principle here.

Pick something you love, such as walking dogs at a shelter, mentoring a kid, marching for a cause, or sponsoring someone in recovery. Doesn’t matter what it is as long as it’s authentic. That’s where the joy is.

Keep It Fresh, Keep It Fun

Don’t let giving turn into another boring obligation on your to-do list. Switch it up. Surprise yourself. Give in ways you never have before. Keep it exciting so it stays alive. When you make generosity part of who you are, not just something you do, you open up this crazy karmic feedback loop where good things just start flowing back your way.

I’ve heard stories you wouldn’t believe, lives saved, careers turned around, doors opening out of nowhere, all because somebody decided to give.

So here’s my challenge to you—stop overthinking it. Find one thing you can do today. Not tomorrow, not next week. Today. Be a giver. Watch how it changes not just someone else’s life, but yours.

Because here’s the truth: you don’t get remembered for what you took. You get remembered for what you gave.

2 comments