Veronica Colondam in the show “Unlock with Billy Boen”Little did we know that opposed to a conventional thought that humans are substantially selfish, scientists are finding that the brain is built for generosity as stated by the Wall Street Journal. By doing an act of giving, it triggers our brain to release dopamine, creating a feel-good effect that is advantageous for our well-being. This dopamine makes us rejoice as givers but not just specifically joy, it actually increases our immunity.
YCAB Foundation’s Founder and CEO, Veronica Colondam, shared how all the experience she gained in her journey to create impact in Indonesia since YCAB Foundation was founded, derived a life-changing principle, that giving is an art. To give, we need to have a high level of intention and before we give, sincerity needs to be felt in our hearts. Sincerity comes in all aspects, sincere when we are rejected, sincere when complained and sincere to learn and grow. The thing that we give needs to be complete and measurable. Learning to be humble and learning to listen to what others need, and not what we see fit, are nearly as important as the thought itself.
Giving and being sincere in our acts, however, is not as easy as one, two, three. When a devastating tsunami wave struck Aceh and Nias, Veronica and team initiated to build houses for the community but soon was rejected due to the cultural difference with local customs. Same song, different arrangement. The battle of giving to others happened yet again in 2020, when LightUp Indonesia had tens of thousands of electricity tokens not redeemed by the beneficiaries so YCAB staff and volunteers had to call them one by one.
“The response of people who accept our gifts when they have been given is irrelevant, whether people like it or not, be grateful or not, that’s their relationship with God. We shouldn’t have to give up, accepting the behavior they showed us.”, Veronica added.
The Art of Giving by Veronica Collondam is aired on Unlock with Billy Boen on Aug 3, 2021.
