Giving.

"For it is in giving that we receive."
- St. Francis of Assisi

"A gift is pure when it is given from the heart to the right person at the right time and at the right place, and when we expect nothing in return."
- Bhagavad Gita

"Some people give time, some money, some their skills and connections, some literally give their life's blood. But everyone has something to give."
- Barbara Bush

"There is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving."
- Henry Drummond

I have been doing alot of thinking about "giving" lately. In truth, I have been obsessing over it. To give to another --- with the purest of intentions --- with no expectation of reward --- without obligation to the receiver or expectation of obligation from the receiver --- to truly give from the heart ---well, that is such an amazing gift --- to all. I aspire to be that kind of giver.

I have been doing my share of giving lately --- to organizations that I believe in --- to friends that I dearly love --- to strangers that I feel drawn to --- etc. And I am finding it so addictive. I get tingles when I can give an anonymous gift --- even if I don't see the recipient receive the gift --- just putting that gift out into the universe feels euphoric. Sometimes it is a gift of time, or money, a tangible item or a spontaneous meaningful compliment. They all feel so darn good to give. And I am fully convinced that the giver reaps the most amazing psychological and physiological rewards in the process (not to mention the receiver). Perhaps that is all the world needs to heal our ills? If we all got so addicted to that magical feeling of freely giving our time, our love, our efforts, our riches, etc. then we could not help but to have our hearts opened to every human, to our own selves, and to God. And then - how could we go wrong?

Anyway, my obsession with "giving" has me reading up on the subject ... has me discussing it in every recent one-on-one conversation ... has me soul searching in places I hadn't yet delved into ...

Basically, I want to be a "giver" ... in every sense of the word. Ever since I saw the movie "Instinct" back in 2001, I have been obsessed with becoming a "giver" rather than a "taker". (Oh I cried for hours after seeing that film, the whole time sobbing to my husband that I didn't want to be a "taker", never a "taker".) That movie has stayed with me ...

And now I voraciously read biographies of amazing people who give back to the world ... in thankfulness for all the blessings that they have received ... and I long to be more like them ... and am ever so thankful for their examples ...

So, for the next few posts (or maybe more) I would like to explore the subject of Giving ... and I hope you will join me. I read a great article in the latest edition of Real Simple magazine. It is titled: How Do You Give Back During the Holidays? There are some wonderful suggestions for giving of your time, finances, and talents to those individuals or organizations who are currently in need. As Barbara Bush said, "... everyone has something to give." And damn it feels good :)

See you tomorrow with some ideas for giving ...
Looking forward to your ideas too ...

Love,
Jodi