More Blessed To Give

Recently, I was having a conversation with some of my sisters about gifts we received from non-immediate family members growing up. As I was trying to reflect and relate to this experience I realized that I never received these specific gifts they spoke about. So I declared," Well, I never received any of these gifts but as the bible says it is more blessed to give than to receive."

Looking back, this declaration may very well have been a triumphant way out of playing the role of victim but the words challenged me and caused me to reflect.

In my reflection, I thought of the multitude of people; family, friends, acquaintances and strangers who gave me gifts of time, friendship, love, knowledge, opportunity and resources.

I also thought of the many others I encountered and gave gifts of time, friendship, love, knowledge opportunity and resources.

When we are out of balance the temptation is to look at 'What's in it for me?' or 'What can I get out of this?' or 'I won't give unless I can get.'

When we are in balance the perspective becomes:

1. What can I give?

2. Who can I bless?

3. How can I gift another person in light of the fact that I am blessed?

This reflection reaffirmed, for me, that giving is a natural cycle of life. It is divine art, science and law.

The less we give, the less we have to give. The more we give, the more we have to give. Therefore it is more blessed to give than to receive.

What are your thoughts on giving and blessings?

~Love God,Live life,One Enkounter at a Time~

Comments

A Matter of Time

I don't think it's any coincidence that God's time seems to be the theme for this month. There just always seems to be a time line involved in everything we want to get done. Anyway, as my birthday is fast approaching I've been spending time reflecting, going through pictures, reading my journals just really reflecting to get some perspective. What was interesting was that while going through the journal I just happened to buck up this to-do list...yea...one of those goal to-do lists where I need to do x by y time . Funnily, the list was written back in 2006 and it had check boxes placed next to the goals. I noticed that at least 3 boxes were still not ticked at the time, while others were ticked and dated...and now for the surprise the unchecked were: 1. Become a lacto-ovo vegetarian 2. Go Natural and 3. Something else that I can't quite remember now.. . It was very funny to me, as reading it marked the 8th day since I had gone vegan with no desire for mea...

Perspective

There was a time I used to think single and alone is the worst thing a person could be. There were days I would sit on my teenage bed staring at the ceiling wondering why I wasn't desirable and I could hear my mom outside my window getting on with life - busying herself with laundry and other household chores. Since my mother's death I have realized that the worst thing a person could be is ungrateful. Everyday there is something or someone in our lives to be grateful for. The next worst thing a person could be is regretful. When you lose a loved one it's all you have - regret. I was so close to my mom yet I still regret the moments I wasted on the imaginary whos that were never in my life when I could have spent that time goofing around and learning more from my mother. Takeaway : Life is a gift and so are the people who were placed in our lives. Treasure who is in your life as tomorrow is promised to no one.

Facebook Free For Three

The challenge was never offered to me to quit facebook but I did it and for three weeks at that...that's right...three whole weeks! I feel now is a good time to share some of the thought processes that went into that decision, some of the reactions and how I spent my time being facebook free. The Decision When I decided to take a 'longer than 24hrs' break from facebook it wasn't a decision I considered and deliberated on. As a matter of fact like nike...I just pretty much did it. I know many people in my network were left feeling puzzled, curious or just down right worried about the decision especially with how I made that step. Like I said before...I just did it. These days when people say they are not on facebook they are normally met with the 'which planet are you from look', so you can imagine the reactions I got. This statement I recently heard aptly summarizes the overall reactions. 'Whoever is not on facebook is sick and needs help.' The R...

Enkounters

Search This Blog