Do you look forward to giving to others?
Do you withhold from others?
Do you hold back on sharing your love?
Do you forget to express gratitude?
Do you neglect to greet others warmly?
Are you too busy to really listen with your heart?
Can you still light up and smile at your loved ones?
Do you give others the appreciation you feel?
We are reminded daily at the power of our kindness.
We have the opportunity at holidays and birthdays to give.
We are reminded by the media to give gifts, things as symbols of our love.
We are asked to spend time, energy and money to buy stuff for others.
It seems to matter not what really has value or meaning, as long as we give.
It seems we are tempted to spend more if we love more.
Or we need to keep up with what we receive from others in our spending.
There may be a competition to see how many gifts are received or under the tree.
What if all this is meaningless and what is really needed it to communicate our love.
About 30 years ago, I chose to stop the Christmas spending and give what really matters.
I wrote a note to everyone who had been accustomed to receiving gifts from me and explained.
From now on I will be giving what really seems important, my love, appreciation and helpfulness.
I also asked to no longer receive gifts.
For me others’ acts of service feel like the most profound statement of Love.
Therefore, I request that others give to what serves others.
Do for others, volunteer, make someone happy and feel cherished.
For those who have need and the children in my life, I give what is valuable throughout the year.
For the holidays, my gifts are my loving kindness, availability, Christmas caroling for those alone or working in the nursing homes, holiday meals, and necessities as gifts for those with limited funds, and our Community Frist Project is launched tomorrow as an outreach to our communities homeless, vets and those with financial hardship. There are even more this year needing our help.
How about reaching out and bringing joy to families or individuals in need?
How about saying how much you love and appreciate those in your own family?
How about putting together a tribute to someone with pictures or written notes?
How about cooking the favorite foods or playing special music or simply enjoying a family game?
How about watching a classic movie and holding hands?
How about taking a hike in the hills or a drive in the country?
How about making some phone calls to those you want to thank or catch up with them?
How about baking your special cake or cookies and sharing with your neighbors?
How about being especially kind and appreciative at the local stores and on the highways?
How about taking time to meditate, listen to good music and bring yourself inner peace?
These are a few of the simply loving acts of kindness, gratitude and inspiration that cost nothing.
I trust you to experiment and know exactly what is true giving for you.
Where there is sacrifice, there is a cost that is not good for giver or receiver.
Give from the fullness of your heart, and you will know the true Gift of Giving.
Loving you and all with All I have and All I AM,
Betty Lue