…the atmosphere was warm and lively.

I recently climbed into a bloodmobile to donate a pint of blood.  As I looked around, everyone there was either about to be stuck with a large needle, in the process of being stuck, having blood withdrawn or having a needle removed from their arm.  To someone who has never donated blood, this may sound like a very stressful and agonizing scene.  In reality, the atmosphere was warm and lively.  Everyone was smiling and the conversations were upbeat–these people were truly happy to be doing what they were doing even though it involved a little pain.  Why?  Because they all knew they were doing something that was going to make an important difference in another person’s life.  Yes, giving really does bring out the best that’s in us and it makes us feel great besides.