The Gift of Giving

I don't know about you, but I love giving!

Not because of the thanks or the credit received by doing something kind for someone, but because you can't help but feel good right down to your toes.

Emmanuel Swedenborg said, "Kindness is an inner desire that makes us want to do good things even if we don't get anything in return. It is the joy of our life to do them. When we do good things from this inner desire, there is a kindness in everything we think, say, want, and do."

Whether you are giving of your time, making donations, or helping someone with something, you are contributing to the greater whole on some level. Isn't that what lending a helping hand and loving heart is all about?

Take a moment and think about how our world would be if we were all giving. Helping one another is truly the greatest gift we can give and receive.

What you have to offer others doesn't have to be big and splashy, although, if that's your style that's perfectly fine. What's truly important is that you are helping, not because you have to, but because you want to, and not so that you will be recognized for your good deeds.

We all have so much to give even if we doubt what it is we have to contribute.

You are giving with something as simple as a smile, a kind word, a hug, or helping hand.

You can volunteer your time, write letters, or make donations to the cause(s) that you feel drawn to.

You can create your own fundraisers or be a part of the many that are already being offered.

The people you can help are endless.

The greatest part of the world wide web is that you can give to just about anything or anyone, anywhere. You don't physically have to be in a place to give back. How awesome is that?

Sometimes when people give they have expectations of what will happen when they do, whether it's done consciously or unconsciously.

You will know if you are awaiting something in return because at some point you will feel disappointment, hurt, not recognized or unappreciated.

You may even think to yourself, "What's the point of giving if there isn't anything in return?"

There is something in return though, and it's not about ego wanting the credit where you believe it's due.

Did you know that you have already received the greatest gift of all?

Do you know what that gift is? LIFE. Therefore, it is your responsibility to give back to life however and wherever you can.

You will know when you are giving without expectancy because you will feel within you that inner desire to reach out to someone or something in kindness.

It may feel like you are being guided or led towards how you are to lend a helping hand; trust this, you are being divinely channeled.

Maybe you are helping a family member, a friend, a client, an employee, a boss, or someone you don't even know. Perhaps you are supporting an organization, a cause, nature, animals, etc.

It's not about who or how you are aiding, it's that you are.

You may look at how others who are giving and feel that your way just doesn't measure up.

How do you know that the person you smiled at or said something kind to, or let in front of you in a line, or offered your help, time, or money hasn't made a difference in some way in their life?

Each and every contribution, big or small, that you offer can make a world of difference to someone or something. This is the gift of giving. Read this again, and let it sink deep into your being.

Believe it or not, you can make a difference in this world, and you do! You don't need someone to tell or show you that; you need to trust that you are making changes in ways you can't even imagine.

"The gifts you receive from giving can never be measured or counted for they continue in your life and the lives of others often silently like a whisper in a warm summer's breeze. They are felt inside and then shared outside. Every little way you give is received in a big way". K. Cohen

Remember, today is a gift and you have the opportunity to give.

Use these techniques with insight and they will assist you in seeing how you are withholding love and the gifts of giving.