No. 3 June 23, 2010
OUR FOUNDATION FOR “THANKS-GIVING LIVING”
I may be stating the painfully obvious here, but it’s always good to remind ourselves of the nature of true giving. The truest (most joy-inspiring) giving seems to be that which comes from a state of “thanks”giving. When our hearts are overflowing with this deep gladness for our blessings, we seem to give most freely, naturally and lavishly. That’s why I like to remind myself as well as others that the two “gateways” to joy are always the same–giving and thanksgiving. It’s from our “state” of gratefulness that we create our most solid foundation for “thanksgiving living”. It’s upon that most “sure” foundation that we can overflow with the most natural–and even “supernatural”–giving! (What do I mean by “supernatural” giving? Well, you might just need to stay with me on that one! That’s a bit more advanced than the foundations we’re laying now. But I’d be honored if you’d “stay with me”…and let me share with you–before long!)
But having reminded ourselves of this foundation, let’s think in an even broader sense. It really is about our attitude, isn’t it? All a matter of our heart. I mean, we can give physically (an actual act of sharing something) without doing so meaningfully, right? That is, without “putting our heart into it”. But, even if our outward act isn’t perfect (or a “big or lavish as we’d like), if our “heart” really is coming from a place of gratitude…and yes, love…it will make all the difference. (Love is the foundation of all true “ultimate” spiritual reality and goodness, I believe. That’s an even bigger” topic I’ll be going into in my other blog on my most “uplifting” site, www.eagleheartbeat.com. Starting in July. It’ll be called “The Upward Way”, and will go into much more of these grandest of discussions. :-] )
It’s this “heart” factor that makes it most likely that not only the recipient–and maybe even an observer–will be most blessed, it absolutely guarantees that the giver will be! How special is that! In other words, we can’t really guarantee that the recipient will receive it in as meaningful a way as we’d hoped, but if we really do pour our “heart” into it, we can guarantee that we’ll be deeply blessed!
A WAY TO APPLY THIS:
I love the idea that Deepak Chopra shared in his book, “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success” about gratitude. He mentioned that he made it a point that he never wanted to meet with anyone without giving something to them in some way–even if it was “only” a silent prayer of blessing and best wishes on them. I love that! I’ve adopted a similar intention…and “on a good day”…I’m there! (It really does help…when I’m not too caught up in personal challenges on some days… [You have days like that too, yes? ::smile:: ] …to find a “space” in me to offer this to others. ) It’s amazing how focusing on offering a blessing to others helps us skip past a tendency to complain, or even be too self-absorbed. It can even help to keep us in the “gratitude” zone which, in turn, makes it all the easier to stay in the “giving” zone! And it all comes from this “intention” of blessing others. And no one has to know. But many will sense something. And so many will be blessed, whether they sense it or not!
I do hope these words are a blessing to you!
Thank you bearing with me as I “warm up” my sharing efforts about some of these favorite topics. By now I’m very used to thinking about them, but still have many “rough edges” in my sharing of them, I’m sure!
May you be SO blessed…with the “greatest fullness” of heart and mind that comes from a heart of gratefulness! (Hint: This is very close to the title for my book that I’m hoping and planning to publish this fall. Thank you for “staying tuned”!) May you be blessed back…even more richly than you’d ever dreamed…each time you give…and “thanks-give”!
S t e v e n D. L i g h t s p r i n g
