The unexpected joy of giving | Pam Sheemar | TEDxAstonUniversity

Quick Overview

Pam Sheemar argues that small acts of giving, multiplication, and selfless service, like running a food feed, fundamentally transform the world by triggering positive neurochemicals like dopamine and oxytocin in both givers and receivers, leading to widespread joy and connection.

Key Points: Small acts, when multiplied by millions, can transform the world, citing Howard Zinn's quote. The speaker initiated a food feed program that supplied hot food, samosas, and tea to people needing it, receiving thanks and feeling joy. The speaker's organization successfully raised £60,000 in 10 years through this feed program for charity. Neuroscience confirms that giving releases dopamine and oxytocin, chemicals associated with joy and connection, in the brain. Volunteering statistics show that 27% of the UK population volunteered in 2022, indicating a significant base for giving. The speaker challenges the audience to consider how they can actively pay forward kindness, either through direct help or by inspiring others.

Context: Pam Sheemar, Regional Accelerator Director at NatWest, delivers a TEDx talk titled 'Rethinking Tomorrow' at TEDxAstonUniversity. The presentation centers on the profound, often unexpected, positive impact of small, selfless acts of giving and volunteering, drawing on personal experiences with a food distribution initiative called 'Sewa' (meaning communal kitchen/selfless service).

Detailed Analysis

Pam Sheemar details her experience running a food feed program called 'Sewa' (selfless service/communal kitchen), which involved regularly providing hot food to people in need. Despite initially feeling hesitant about signing up for the Friday night commitment, the speaker found immense joy in the act of giving, which was mirrored by the recipients. She highlights a specific instance where a gentleman named Richard, who received food multiple times, expressed gratitude, noting that the act of giving made him feel joy. This positive feedback loop is rooted in neuroscience: when we give, our brains release dopamine and oxytocin, the same chemicals that generate feelings of joy and connection. She notes that 27% of the UK population volunteered in 2022, suggesting a large potential pool for such acts. Over ten years, the charity managed to raise £60,000 through this feed. She concludes by posing a reflective question to the audience: If we built a world starting with giving rather than receiving, what kind of world would that be, and how can each person inspire others to pay forward kindness?