I always admire people who give anonymously. But I didn’t fully comprehend why they did it before. I use to think it was just for privacy in order to avoid attention. Now I realize there’s a much more valuable and higher level reason.
It’s such a contrast to those who give and make a grand public announcement about it, usually to gain some kind of approval like a positive public image. Giving in any way is incredibly noble and wonderful. It’s also invaluable to be able to identify underlying intentions, so that we can build the best relationships with people.
Do you ever give in order to get something back, or with “strings” attached? How often do you give out of obligation or as a form of payback? Have you ever felt resentment when you gave?
Giving out of obligation or expecting something in return is conditional, and ego-based.
We’re all guilty of it to some degree. But it isn’t truly giving – we’re bartering for something in return. It could be expectations, obligations, control, or even approval and recognition. There are strings attached, even if they’re unsaid. The underlying intention is there. To expect something back, even in the form of praise, is ego-based.
The challenge with this kind of giving is that it usually leaves more emptiness, instead of fulfillment. This emptiness can only be filled by satisfying expectations. And if expectations aren’t met, the emptiness turns into resentment. This ultimately has a negative effect in relationships, moving us further away from happiness and inner peace. Most relationships are damaged in this way.
Holidays and celebrations are often emotionally charged with these kinds of expectations and obligations among peers and friends. What’s meant to be happy occasions sometimes turns out to be stressful obligations.
Marriages and relationships suffer the same way. And are even more highly charged, as you probably know! So it obviously serves us to figure out how to harmoniously balance giving and receiving.
Of course we’re all human, and part of being human is to be self-serving – to a certain degree. This is the dualism of unconditional giving, which can be perceived as a paradox.
The laws of attraction, cause and effect or karma suggests that we get what we give. So it’s correct to believe that by giving we will, in some form, gain something.
Where most of us get tripped up is when we expect something from the same person we give to, or expect it in a certain form that we’re attached to.
Inner peace and happiness through giving can only come from spirit-based intentions.
When you give out of love and compassion, and release expectations, you allow universal energy, (karma), to flow so that whatever you give comes back to you multiplied and in unexpected ways. This is unconditional, and aligned with the “flow”.
No matter how airy-fairy that sounds, it’s the truth. I challenge you to try it!
Giving doesn’t have to be limited to money, material things or time. You can give sincere appreciation, (which works wonders by the way). Practice kindness and compassion – give happiness. You can do some kind of favor without even expecting a thank you in return. Try volunteering. Everyone can give in some way. From this perspective there’s actually a lot to give.
The Golden Rule: “Do unto others what you would have them do unto you.”
I’m not religious, but there must be a good reason that’s a key principle all over the world!
We are all connected by natural law. So essentially, what we do unto others we do unto ourselves.
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
Happiness is best fulfilled when it’s shared and given to others. Why have material things, knowledge, talents and resources if you can’t share them? Have you ever met a truly happy person who wanted to live their life alone?
Remember, practice the Art of Giving and the Art of Receiving and watch miracles come into your life!
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