The Gift

There's a story in the bible about Jesus feeding a crowd of people with a couple loaves of bread and a few fish.  There is also a movie called "Pay it Forward." Think of the story of "The Christmas Carol."  As a matter of fact there are many stories and songs about giving.  Many of them consist of stories of people who give far more than they set out to.

My point is, in my experience, giving is the true means to happiness and it creates unexpected and amazingly powerful results.  Generosity leads me to feel fulfillment and joy at seeing others happy.  Seeing a friend or family member graduate.  The birth of a child.  Watching a sports team win the game.  Hearing about a firefighter rescuing a person facing death.  Although you might be thinking “well I'm not giving anything to make these things happen," what about the support you offer these people?  Showing up for the game or coaching.  Sharing experience with first time parents, or parents under duress.  Showing your child that Firemen are heroes or just saying thank you.  Opening the door for the man on crutches.  All these things require our time and thought to stop and just give a moment or more to the world around us.  I've never walked away from an experience like that thinking "well, I sure wish I would have done less" although there have been many times I wish I could do more.

Many times in my life I have received gifts that are unrepayable.  There is no way to repay someone giving me that hand up out of the pit I blindly stepped into.  That person who sat next to me in the hospital when I was sleeping.  The man on the bus who offered me a tissue and a smile when I’d had a really bad day at work.
I'm just grateful that I have been given the awareness that giving magnifies the joy in my life.  It's like Kudzu.  Once it’s planted, it just grows expedentially.  The cool part for me is, I d it so much now, it’s a habit.  I don't expect a thank you, a repayment, or even an acknowledgement.  I still get the gift of giving regardless of whether the recipient feels grateful or not.

The other miracle is I have never been down and out and not been given a gift of some type by a caring friend, family member, or a complete stranger.  It’s like karma or something like that.  I've heard it said that the only way to keep what we have is to give it away.  I'm going to take it further to say the only way to get the prosperity, love and happiness we all crave is to simply give our gifts to others.  Whether it’s fixing a broken toaster, mowing a lawn, picking up a piece of trash from a park sidewalk, or listening to someone who needs to talk.

Give without fear, without expectation, and with love and joy.  It’s a gift to you!