Giving Something to Everyone You Meet
I have long since believed that giving is the crux of inviting good things into your own life.
Many religions the world over have this as a core principle.
In the Christian religion, too: tithing (giving 10% of your income) to the church is done in good faith that this gift will set the stage for receiving help/gifts when you need them, but also to help others in a true act of good will.
The Law of Giving and Receiving
Deepak Chopra talks about the Spiritual Law of Giving and Receiving, too. Because the universe is a dynamically changing place, it would also hold that giving and receiving keep your life flowing in a positive direction.
It’s not a new concept and one that can help unlock abundance in our own lives. Giving “just to give” is a noble act. Not expecting anything in return is a deeply spiritual reason to spread goodwill and cheer and help to make the world a better place.
It can also help in the “gratefulness” department by allowing us to be thankful for what we have and thankful for the gifts that we receive.
[bctt tweet=”It makes us feel good to give. But really, we also receive joy, in turn, because of the act of giving.” username=”n2itvnspiritual”]
Make me an instrument of your peace
The prayer, “Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace,” (associated with St. Francis, but there is evidence this was written by a French priest in 1912) beautifully illustrates giving and receiving. Take a look at a few lines:
- Where there is hatred, let me sow love
- Where there is injury, pardon
- Where there is despair, hope
- For it is in giving that we receive
I have begun a practice in my life of giving something to everyone I encounter – whether they know it or not. And I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not perfect at it. I occasionally have those days when I “just don’t feel like it.”
I’ll personally work on that. Because, honestly, I’ve realized that when I don’t feel like giving is exactly when I need to do it the most.
Ideas for Giving Something to Everyone You Meet
The following are some ideas on how to always give something to someone you meet:
- Give a greeting
- Give a smile
- Give a hug
- Give a silent blessing
- Silently say, “om mani padme hum” – a chant that Buddhist monks say to spread love and compassion
- Give love
- Give hope
- Give a pardon
- Give a flower
- Give a complement
- Give an “out loud” blessing if you know the person would like that
- Give an uplifting note
- Give a card
- Give gratitude
- Give a gift
- Give a text of “thinking of you”
- Give a healing thought
- Give a plant
- Give a prayer
- Give a monetary gift
- Give help
- Give of your time
- Give of your heart
- Give joy
- Give laughter
- Give information
- Give a mint
- Give encouragement
- Give a helping hand
- Give something edible
A giving philosophy
I had decided a couple years ago to adopt this philosophy. I was going through my own rough patch in life and wanted to be that person that lifted others up with I encountered them rather than being negative or a complainer.
And though I don’t always succeed in this task, my life has changed dramatically since those first years when I started this practice: I finished graduate school, I moved, found a good job, and my relationships have improved (well, the majority of them, anyways).
So, what will you do? Adopt a practice of giving to others?
In giving, you start to receive
Remember that by giving, you will also start to receive. The art of receiving is also something that has to be learned. And, to be sure, we can’t just give so that we’ll automatically receive. It doesn’t work that way.
Give to make a difference and to make the world a better place. You create the conditions to become ready to receive. When you receive, you can do a number of things with those gifts: you can pass them on, use them as you need, use them to magnify their awesomeness, improve your practice of gratitude, and much more.
Beautiful! Giving is about more than just material things xx LOVE it, C!
Christy – aww, thank you! Yes…giving can be done in so many ways. And thank you for “giving” me a comment. <3
This is a lovely idea, Cynthia 🙂
As an example at giving and receiving, I had this experience short time ago; I was out shopping, bought something for my daughter, gave money to a poor man, shopped a bit, walked a little more, sent gifts in two packets per post, then I walked to get a cup of coffee and relax, before I went home. Just one minute before the cafe, I looked down and found a piece of paper, which were money and a lot in one piece. Just curled together where I walked.
When I told my daughter, she said, wow – karma hits, mommy.
Hehe…I loved writing this post. 🙂 And what an incredible story! How cute that your daughter was immediately attuned to how karma can work. 😀 And how awesome that you have such a big heart! Thank you for your feedback! xo
Keep up your writing Cynthia. This is enlightening, inspiring and heart warming. We all need to care and give a little more, and this shows us how we can do that through simple gestures. Looking forward to more from you. One Love.
Dave – thank you! I aspire to be all these things: enlightening, inspiring and heart-warming. 🙂 Simple gestures are the easiest way to make a difference. I just read about a self-portrait project that this lady is doing by taking selfies, but covering her face with the number of days since we elected 45. She’s two months into this project but still – a simple gesture of taking selfies while wearing black and covering her face is resulting in a lot of talk. So, yes…simplicity and consistency – both things I, myself, will do well to remember. 🙂 Sending hugs!
Hi Cynthia… the simplest gift I can give is a smile. often it is followed by a conversation which leads to simply showing people you care. It cost nothing but a little time and the rewards are far greater than anything. One of the hardest lessons learned for me was receiving, once learned you soon come to know that value in giving… great hub and I love the way you look at the world.
Hugs from Canada
Rolly – I love this! Yes…I love to smile at others. And if they’re not looking, I love to send them a blessing – even if they are someone I might not necessarily agree with or even if we’ve crossed paths at another time and we’re not meant to be in each others’ lives (I’m thinking about all the college kids I see on campus every day here, especially)…and receiving can be so difficult. It’s not easy to accept the blessings of others, but somehow when we start giving, something clicks and we complete the cycle by receiving. So glad you found this post. 🙂 I love the way you look at the world, too. You have a contemplative heart, full of many experiences and a life well-lived. Glad our paths have crossed. Hugs!
Dear Cynthia,
What a wonderful compilation of ways that we can give to others. I find that ‘giving my ear’ in active listening is most appreciated by others.
For me, giving is much easier than the act of receiving – so I make a practice of reminding myself to acknowledge and share gratitude when a kindness is done for me.
Another beautiful post – thank you and love, Maria
Maria – thank you again for another wonderful, sweet comment. You just make me smile! And, you know, giving my ear is something I’m working on. I just love to share and love spreading love and knowledge, that I know I forget to listen sometimes. This is where meditation is helping me. 🙂 And giving IS easier than receiving, but a simple gesture of gratitude can help so much. I’m learning to say just a simple “thank you” when friends and family send gifts, compliments or other acts of love. And then I work on paying them forward. Ah, well…it’s just all about spreading the love, right? Thank you for your beautiful comments and sending you light and love on this Monday! xoxo