Thursday, September 30, 2021
We love when someone appreciates a favor and shows sincere gratitude for something we took the time to do for them. But not everyone reacts favorably to receiving, nor do they always reciprocate. When others don’t receive the way we expect them to, it can stifle the impulse to give again. A giver loves a cheerful receiver, but be careful not to depend on them to show gratitude, to reciprocate, or to return the favor. Always be aware of your motivation for giving.
Real giving is not sacrificial. When it’s a sacrifice, you’re giving up something that you, yourself need and/or cherish. Real giving is not charitable. Charity is providing for those who you perceive has having less than you. The real nature of giving costs you nothing. It doesn’t feel like you’re pitying another, or sacrificing your precious resources for another – it just feels like the right thing to do, an expression of love, no matter what the outcome.
A real gift is not attached to the reaction of another, it’s attached to the act of expressing love. That’s all. It’s like the sun – it gives and gives and gives because that’s what it does. It’s the nature of the sun to give, and it’s the nature of humans to express love in the form of giving. If your gift has any other purpose, besides expressing love, then don’t give it because it’s now conditional. A gift with no expectation, no perception of sacrifice, and no perception of pity, is a real, unconditional gift with no cost to you. Love is love, and when it’s expressed in physical form it just feels good. Love is renewable and inexhaustible, so express it (give it) away. Giving is one of life’s most simple pleasures. Enjoy giving today, and attach nothing more to the simple act of expressing your love – there’s plenty enough to go around.