We often say by helping others we make the person being helped happy. I don't deny that fact, however it also helps the person who performs the act of giving. It gives a deep sense of satisfaction deep down one's soul. I have experienced it myself by doing this act. I am not talking about things that are being done for publicity or fame. It can be simple such as, when you drive across and at a traffic signal you see a person reaching out for alms and you reach out to your purse to drop a Dollar. This is what I am talking about and there could be so many emotional reasons that trigerred your act. But if you really gave it a thought, the act really makes you feel better and to appreciate life more.
I am not implying everyone to drive around traffic signals and help a poor person to make you feel better :-). Or maybe try it out, when you are really dragged down with life's uncertainities, it may help. This makes me to think that, is there any act that is selfless? Hmm....not sure...aah!! If performing some action makes you feel good, how can that be selfless. The root cause for the action was to make us feel better even if it is done unconsciously. A person who has renunciated this world can also be categorized on this aspect. Even though they claim the renunciation the truth is they like renunciation.
In my opinion, I would say a charitable act helps both the giver and receiver.
