Life is all lessons…ignorance is not a destiny…
Giving has become a neglected virtue as humans have evolved into a civilization where individual gain has become a highly favored endeavor. Perhaps it is the consequence of our advancement or maybe it’s the price we have to pay for our progress. The current trend is to gobble everything that will further ones’ interest, eliminating any probable benefits others may chance upon. It’s a game of domination, rather than mutual benefit and cooperation.
Nowadays, there are only few individuals who have the capacity to be selfless by way of giving. Understanding the true essence of giving can bring meaningful gain to the person who is wise enough to heed its call. In our everyday interaction, we are always making a choice of whether to give or to acquire. Unfortunately, we are more inclined to favor the latter than the former, excuses we have much in the form of highly plausible arguments to justify such choice—leaving us vindicated of our malicious intent.
Today’s idea of giving has circled around reciprocity, ethics and hypocrisy. More often than not, we give because we want satisfy certain obligations (as prescribed by our norms and traditions) or to achieve something. Instead of affecting the very essence of giving, we have made it into a practice of give-and-take. The act of giving has been dethroned of its noble purpose; it has then been employed as a tool for manipulation. The truth behind most of our giving is in fact to acquire.
In my observation, giving has been more of a selfish act rather than a selfless extension of one’s self. We do it to gain the favor of someone, or to mask our ill intentions, or to make amends, or cloak our shortcomings. The very essence of giving is compromised because our intention is to benefit instead of expressing benevolence.
Why then that when it comes to the act of true giving do we experience difficulty? Could it be that genuine giving is an uncomfortable act for us to do? Does ego, greed and arrogance goes in contradiction with this will? I have sensed that most of us do not give freely. We expect something in return. We don’t want to waste our time, energy and effort over things that will bring us no benefit; therefore, we do not make an effort at giving if it serves no purpose for our personal gain. I am not generalizing on this aspect but it has been the prevailing attitude most of us employ.
The essence of giving is the selfless intention behind the act. It is sharing what we value to others without counting on the reciprocal expectation of recognition or gratitude. Complexity comes on this aspect because we find it hard to share the things we value to others. The question always arises: What in it for me? It is by this measure that we fail to grasp the wisdom of giving.
If we could only manage to give without any benefit on our part, we will be able to see the divine part of ourselves. Through selfless act manifested in the form of giving, we will gain wisdom about our true nature. Genuine giving comes in many forms; caring is one form, so is understanding, forgiving, listening, helping and sacrifice.
As we go on with our life interacting with people, have we been more of a giver than a taker? Notice our relationship with others—be it someone close to us or a strangers or acquaintances, have we applied the real essence of giving when we interact with them? For instance, being in a relationship of husband and wife, did we ever fully give ourselves in terms of listening, understanding, forgiving and accepting? The same question goes with our relationship with our children, with our friends, with our relatives, and even with the person whom we know less. In my personal experience, I have been more of a taker because I put my interest first, and I lack the humility to give part of myself for the well-being of others.
Being human requires to err, but it’s a mistake not learn from it. As I try to discover the deeper aspects of life, I have learned that giving is one of the major purpose of my existence. If I be foolish enough to confine myself in acquiring, I will gain nothing in the end, because most of what I acquire is only meaningful to the extent of my own selfishness. Giving on the other hand has earned me a connection with my fellow human beings. Though some may depreciate the importance of this experience, it will be manifested at one time in our life the truth about our interconnectedness.
It is only by giving can we understand some of the mysteries about who we really are.
“The value of man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.”
–Albert Einstein
If you find this article interesting subscribe HERE.
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @lionslinger
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR. GROW IN SPIRIT:
Pitfalls of instant gratification
Crippling habits people embrace
Why are we having problems with problem
How to unleash your true capacity
P.S.
Our lifetime is not enough to know all the experiences of life. Therefore, we need to have other sources in maximizing our understanding of the many facets of our existence. In this regard I am bound to share with you the most powerful materials that have shaken my foundation and have changed my life as well as the lives of many.
Life is full of questions but I have found answers in perusing the books: The Road Less Traveled, Man’s Search for Meaning and The Power of Now, these has given me light on the deepest nature of man. Still, in searching for ways of enhancing my life I have found: Think and Grow Rich, The Magic of Thinking Big and Thick Face Black Heart. In matters of understanding my mind I was greatly enlightened by the suspense filled novel’s Way of the Peaceful Warrior, A Rich Man’s Secret and The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. And finally, I have understood the pattern of my finances through reading Secrets of the Millionaire Mind.
Everything we wish in life will come upon us if we first seek the wisdom of knowing.
Nobody wants to listen 96 comment(s) 
Never give up 88 comment(s) 
Why are we having problems with problem? 74 comment(s) 
Criticism: the unwanted mentor 71 comment(s) 
Pitfalls of instant gratification 69 comment(s) 
Success is nothing to be afraid of 69 comment(s) 
The caveats of blogging 69 comment(s) 
Crippling habits people embrace 68 comment(s) 
Success eludes mediocrity 68 comment(s) 
The essence of giving 67 comment(s) 
Love eternal 67 comment(s) 
The counsel of death 63 comment(s) 
Who is to blame? 62 comment(s) How to unleash your true capacity 61 comment(s) 
Lasting aspirations? 60 comment(s) 
Slave of the mind 57 comment(s) Finding myself beyond my identity 55 comment(s) 
Senseless arbitrariness 54 comment(s) 
The reason behind adversities 53 comment(s) 
The only thing you need to know to achieve your goals 52 comment(s) 
Hey Walter, nicely said,
I think most giving is done to get. Now, I wouldn’t have a problem with that, if in many cases it wasn’t made to look like it’s selfless. The person acts all altruistic, when in fact there is covert contract there. I think this is manipulative and dangerous for both parts.
Eduard
Ideas With A Kick´s last blog ..Positive thinking won’t help you now
This has been my observation when people give. Although there are people who give genuinely, there are lots who have hidden agenda residing on this act.
Eduard and Walter, you both are so right here! I think if we can recognize that it is in our own self-interest to have empathy for others, and to help them, then we can make great strides as a community. Think of it as almost an “enlightened self-interest.”
Steven | The Emotion Machine´s last blog ..Re-visiting Your Goals And Aspirations
There just are people who are naturally selfless just as there are people who are naturally hot-tempered.
Personally, I can honestly say, I’m not naturally selfless. I have just begun trying to make a habit of giving because of some lessons I’ve learned from my ‘more enlightened’ teachers. I give because I learned that having received so much (life, love, some material things, some success, etc.), it is our obligation to give back. Just plain reciprocity. Besides, I also believe that if you’re not that karma-laden (negatively), giving will create a vacuum that natural laws dictate should be filled back. Manipulative in a sense, but surely not dangerous.
James M.´s last blog ..AmplusnetPrivacyTools.exe Eating Up CPU Resources
Hi walter,
Loved this post
As i read through each paragraph, i began to question my intentions behind certain actions and it’s provided food for thought.
Take care!!
ayo´s last blog ..Tips To Become Hot!!!!!!!
Part of our growth is to always question our intentions. Oftentimes, we act out of selfishness rather than humility.
Hey Walter:
Wonderful article. I kind of comes down to weather Plato was right about the good nature of people. That is do we do things because we are inherently good or is it because the world is structured in a certain way which prefers the so called “good” actions to be more beneficial over the “bad” ones.
I have struggled with giving unconditionally in my life. Unfortunately, the first things that comes to my mind is the benefit of a transaction. Of course, sometimes I will give without thinking and it will make me feel great.
However, at times, I find myself not knowing what to give or how to give. Maybe just maybe we forget of many ways to give to people: it can be a simple smile, a friendly advice, a helping hand.
However, I believe that we cannot give something that we do not have ourselves. So maybe the first step in giving is having something to give in the first place.
Thanks for another thoughtful article, Walter!
Best,
Tomas
Tomas Stonkus´s last blog ..Why You Should Ditch The Destructive Weekend
Your right Tomas, we oftentimes forget the many ways of giving. Perhaps in simple ways like what you stated above, we can truly give.
Walter, you write, “Perhaps it is the consequence of our advancement or maybe it’s the price we have to pay for our progress.” I don’t understand. First, it’s a consequence of something – I’ll give you that. But doesn’t it actually provide a modicum of evidence that we are NOT all that advanced? Even lions leave some meat on the bones for the weaker members of the herd. Second, what’s this fatalistic, “price we have to pay for our progress”? Again, is it really “progress” to trample on those who may not be of use to use today? What about tomorrow? And even if they are never of use to US, what about our own spirits?
I don’t agree that being “selfless” is necessarily an ideal to aspire to. That’s not to say that giving is bad, but I’d encourage people to look at it more selfishly, rather than less so. I was just quoting Ayn Rand to another friend, this morning: “If you wish to save the last of your dignity, do not call your best actions a ‘sacrifice’: that term brands you as immoral. If a mother buys food for her hungry child rather than a hat for herself, it is not a sacrifice: she values the child higher than the hat; but it is a sacrifice to the kind of mother whose higher value is the hat, who would prefer her child to starve and feeds him only from a sense of duty.”
To me, the underlying problem is the question of values. Do we value THINGS more than we value PEOPLE? Do we value THINGS more than we value our own character, or our own souls? I think, quite often, we do – whether we’re willing to admit it out loud or not.
The question “what’s in it for me?” is a fair one, really. If you can honestly look at your fellow human being and think, “I don’t value you enough to spend my tax dollars to educate your children or help pay your doctor bills so that you can live long enough to raise them,” and at the same time not care that those are the children that will be taking care of YOU and leading your country when you’re old – then maybe you should move somewhere where the laws are more in line with your values. But looking at it this way, can you say it’s “selfless”? I don’t think so. Even if it’s just to have a world where we’re not stepping over the carcasses of the dying, there’s usually SOMETHING in it for us, when we give. We should all give in line with what we truly value, though, and not just hope someone else will take care of it instead of us.
Even you seem to come to this conclusion, whether you recognize it or not: “If I be foolish enough to confine myself in acquiring, I will gain nothing in the end, because most of what I acquire is only meaningful to the extent of my own selfishness. Giving on the other hand has earned me a connection with my fellow human beings.”
Reread that last sentence. Think about it. The act of giving, without expectation of reciprocity, has given you something you value, in return: A connection with your fellow human beings. And there is NOTHING wrong with that. Should someone have demanded of you that you give and give and give without any thought for yourself, though, I’ll bet you would be resentful. It’s about values, and where you CHOOSE to give.
Here’s another thought for you: Do you do good because it’s the right thing to do, or do you do good because you fear God? (Or shame, or the bad opinion of your neighbors, etc.)
Holly Jahangiri´s last blog ..Every Now and Then, a Friend Falls in…
You have written a lot of things for me to think about Holly and I’m glad you have shared your perspective on this matter.
As our technology and economic system advances so as our perspective of value. Many things have changed as we progressed. For instance, a few decades ago women were not allowed in the workforce, they have to be home to take care of their children. But today women are dominating in the workforce. As a consequence for this progress, our children are left behind without the full care of a mother whom the child counts for its well-being. Such example is what I meant when say “the price we have to pay for our progress.”
On your perspective of what we value I do agree and I admit that most of the time we value things over people. Part of my growth however, is to evolve from this propensity.
Finally in my conclusion I have stated that I earned a connection, my context of gain and reciprocity does not come from any expectation, it comes as a form of reward which I don’t expect and will never expect.
Walter, this is a beautiful post, thank you for sharing it with us. What you’ve written resonates with me greatly as I am also at the place where I want to give as much as I can. Ego does still get in the way by starting to expect things in return from time to time. I am working with it though:)
Lana – DreamFollowers Blog´s last blog ..My 2010 Goals and 2 Awesome Techniques I Used to Set Them.
Often, we want to give as much but something blocks this noble intention. Unless we work on such obstruction, giving will always be an effort–which should not be so.
This post makes total sense, yet it goes (unfortunately) against the current rend of considering everything for granted. Great lesson.
Oscar – freestyle mind´s last blog ..Interview With Dragos Roua
I believe everyone of us will experience a wake-up call in our lives. Perhaps this will make us see some of the most important things in life.
In a blogging world of fast food and snacks your posts truly are a five course feast.
Jonny´s last blog ..A Simple Structure That Will Change Your Life
Thanks Jonny, nice to know that I’m on that category.
While I do love the sentiment of your post I believe that giving can never be completely selfless. Why do I give so much to my children? Is it because I love them more than anything? Yes. But could it also be that it makes me feel good? Yes to that as well. I think it’s OK to derive pleasure from the act of giving. It’s part of human nature. However, I do realized you are saying something else too.
I agree, to give in the hopes of getting is not necessarily the best way to do business in the long run. Eventually it will wear away your spirit.
By selfless giving we are able to receive the reward of fulfillment. We don’t give because we want to feel good, we give because of the act itself. Any benefit derived therefrom are our consolation, which we don’t expect and never will expect.
Hi Walter,
You hit on a very important topic. So often I think people give because they want the reward of giving. The irony is that you cannot cheat the Universe.
The intention behind every actions speaks volume. A true act of giving is when someone gives something because it is the right thing to do. And thoughts of self does not enter the picture.
Nadia – Happy Lotus´s last blog ..Taking Inventory
That’s exactly what I mean by being selfless when we give. The truth is, we can discover more of our divine nature if we are able to grasp the true essence of giving.
Hi Walter
I am seeing more and more that life is about our be-ing behind our do-ing.
That means you need to be able to give as Tomas says, so get yourself into a position to be able to give first.
Once you are in that position then be authentic when you give, know when you are being business like and want something in return and know when you are be-ing love in action.
Learning to discern what giving is, is obviously needed, until then there is just ignorance and denial about what ‘giving’ means and thus you ‘giving’ us this post to think about giving is a great thing.
Wilma Ham´s last blog ..‘What is so’ in relationships.
@wilma – I agree: being able to give requires being in a position to give first.
Giving properly does require connecting with the recipient in a way the recipient appreciates. It’s the difference between not covering your lamp and casting pearls before swine. Ok, that’s a little harsh, but the analogy holds in principle.
Dave Doolin´s last blog ..Website In A Weekend: Sunday – Dominating the Homestretch
@Dave, indeed that is another aspect of giving we seldom consider, who am I giving what to.
Oh the annoyance of being the recipient of knowing it all do gooders is excruciating embarrassing for both the giver and the receiver if they care and are able to notice for example. Be harsh, Dave, go for it, trust we can receive what you give and let us lick our wounds. In that way we might have a chance to hopefully learn something.
Wilma Ham´s last blog ..‘What is so’ in relationships.
It has become my observation that most people fail in discerning the true essence of giving. Instead, we take for granted its noble virtue and has corrupted its essence by using it to satisfy our selfish yearnings. Authenticity in terms of giving has become scare these days.
Authenticity and being in integrity are all rare in this world. Charities give with a tie attached, the western world so called giving to the third world is not wholesome giving at all. We are surrounded by inauthentic giving behavior by politicians to teachers to our parents and partners.
We haven’t got a lot of chance to actually know what authentic giving is or how it looks like. It is good to be reminded of that.
Wilma Ham´s last blog ..‘What is so’ in relationships.
I agree that we often give to get something in return – whether we know this consciously or not. I do it too. Recently I’ve made it one of my goals to try and ‘give’ to people (in various ways, maybe through volunteering, helping people out etc.) because even if I don’t directly get anything back, I know that it will make me a better person to know I’ve helped someone.
Ruth – Web Career Girl´s last blog ..Small Weekly Tasks Can Really Add Up When It Comes to Passive Income
Keep up such goal Ruth, I have been doing the same. Once we are used to giving, we will deliver it effortlessly without expecting anything other than the act itself.
Hey Walter, Im over here from your comments on my guest post on Corinne’s blog.
Your perspective is so right, never thought of happiness in the angle you have mentioned. That it requires prerequisites too. Wonderfully put. Thanks so much for your valuable insight..
chotusworld´s last blog ..Chotu goes to school..
You are welcome. The wonderful thing about blogging is that we can share our thoughts to others.
Hi Walter. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I’m actually really surprised by a lot of the comments here. I think giving can be a really joyful fun thing that we often do without even thinking about it, just for the fun of it. Smiling is ‘giving’ – you are sending nice energy out to another human being. Taking time to comment on another person’s blog is giving – giving that person’s blog recognition and support. (Okay, you might hope that you’ll get a comment back but that is not the sole reason for doing so). When we buy a present for someone and get really excited for them to open it, just because you really want them to like it and be happy. All of things demonstrate the simple pleasure of boosting somebody else’s life or day. I think we are all a lot nicer than we think
Fine examples of giving you have shared here Jacqui. As I’ve said, giving is connecting with someone, and one truth about the nature of man is that we are all connected. We just have to rediscover such connection by way of giving.
Walter another great post.
Thereis nothing better then to give to people who are less fortunate without expectations of getting in return
John Paul Aguiar´s last blog ..How I Built My Twitter Marketing Monster From 1 to 36,000
Now that’s very noble John. It is my wish to help all the less fortunate people of this world, but due to the scarcity of my resources I am but limited to those I chance upon.
This is an outstanding post. I agree that many of us have lost the art of giving and we often if not always expect something in return. We can give freely of ourselves, it is a matter of awareness and detachment. You have done a great job today in helping to create awareness about giving. A beggar stopped me today and asked me for some money. I stopped briefly and told him I had no cash on me which I though was true. I took about three steps when I remembered that I had felt some change in my coat pocket earlier today. I went back the beggar and reached in my pocket and told him I remembered I had some change, alas it was only three pennies. I gave the three pennies to him and told him I was sorry it was not more. He was grateful, I wish I would have had more to give.
Hey thanks for the kind words. What you gave to the beggar you also gave to yourself. Being selfless in the act of giving will awaken the divine nature which has long been buried by our selfish acts.
You hit on an important subject. Many of the “spiritual” things we do, we do for a reward–giving, gratitude, acceptance, forgiveness and so on. Then it’s hard to actually feel the expansion.
Thanks, good post.
k
Kaushik´s last blog ..Dark Night of the Soul — The Opportunity to Surrender
Foolish are we if we give with false intent, it is much better not to give at all.
Hi Walter,
I am afraid you are right. We have a lot of opportunities to give something all the time and we don’t always do it. I will work on this value and will also try to be conscious on the reasons why I give.
Isaac Ben´s last blog ..Steps to financial freedom – Introduction
As long as we live we’ve got all the opportunity to extend ourselves to others. Giving is one of the noblest act each of us can extend.
Hi Walter – I think all healthy people naturally want to share the joy they feel, often in the form of giving – and then it just happens!
I just wanted to drop in and say thanks for being part of my blogging life in recent months – I have really appreciated it. Cheers – Robin
Robin´s last blog ..My Last Blog Post
Thank you so much Robin.
I believe that giving really does reward the giver – as much as or even more than the recipient of that gift…
Lady Fi´s last blog ..Cold beauties
Yes it does, but in ways we never expect.
This is a wonderful message, Walter. As many commenters have said above, it’s truly a challenge yet something that may seem so easy to do if we able to put others before us. If we manage to somehow do a kind act a day, the world will change for good. As a token of appreciation, here’s a Stumble for your post. Keep the inspiring post coming!
Happy 2010!
@wchingya
Social/Blogging Tracker
Ching Ya´s last blog ..How To Autopost from Multiple Blogs To Your Facebook Fan Page
Thank you Ching for appreciating. It sure feels good to be the recipient of a kind and generous giver.
Hi Walter,
A fascinating look at why people give. Especially so soon after the festive season when nowadays, the act of giving is often in the usually justified expectation that one will be receiving.
If you receive a gift but failed to give, you may experience a sense of guilt.
The act of giving during the Christmas period has religious roots but with commercialization it has become an expectation.
I no longer give at these “set” periods; the sense of guilt wore off many years ago.
Giving when I want to give is much more satisfying if for no other reason than the recipient finds it totally unexpected.
John Coates´s last blog ..Focus On Finishing
I go in parallel with you last statement John. Giving should entail no event or tradition or occasion, it should be when we want it to be. True giving comes with no preparation, it’s rather spontaneous.
It’s a good question – or rather, series of questions.
For me, when I give, I don’t expect anything in return, but of course, sometimes it works that way anyway. For instance, by volunteering with the greyhound charities, I give my time, but I also enjoy doing it and gain kudos from the charity workers and the public. I’m actually a little uncomfortable with people coming up to me and thanking me for ’saving the dogs’, but that’s another story.
What I do find difficult is giving something that isn’t superfluous to me. For instance, I gave someone a CD once that they wanted to hear. That was a couple of years ago and I still miss it. I don’t need it, but …
I struggle with generosity. I guess it comes down to that.
Despite the fact that true giving does not expect anything in return, there are rewards. And such rewards are something we don’t expect. As long as we don’t expect, our giving is genuine.
Walter,
Hi there! This is very thought provoking, heart searching post. What’s in our heart when we give? If it’s just to feel better about ourselves and fulfill duty then we have lost the love and hope it brings.
My daughter and I once visited a buffet pizza place frequently and exchanged hellos with the manager. We went there one day and he wasn’t there. I asked where he was and the guy said his grandmother was very ill and he was rushing to get there before she passed. Before we finished our meal, he came back to us and said that the manager’s grandmother had died before he could get there. It was so SAD. I didn’t know his name. He didn’t know ours. But we both felt compelled to reach out. So we went next door and got a sympathy card and filled it out anonymously. I don’t know if it helped in his pain, but to me that was a true gift of the heart. We didn’t get credit, nor will we ever, but hopefully we lifted a fellow comrades spirit in his grief. It’s those little things we miss every day that we could give selflessly.
Obviously, I consider random acts of kindness gifts too.
Great post Walter.
Angelia Sims´s last blog ..It’s a Bloggy Bling Parade! 
Notice the feeling of wanting to reach out? That’s our true nature. Genuine giving awakens the divine in us, which is what we are.
Walter,
There is a great line in the first of the latest series of Star Wars movies (Episode 1)
In it, Jedi hero Qui Gong Jin describes Anakin Skywalker as a young child: “He gives without any thought of reward.”
That, in one sentence, summarizes the kind of giving which I aspire to (though I have some challenges in this area, especially with regard to the gift of time).
If, when I die (hopefully not too soon!), someone gets up at my funeral and says that I ‘gave without any thought of reward,’ then I would certainly feel that my life had been a thoroughly worthwhile exercise.
Andrew´s last blog ..An important lesson from the fall of Tiger Woods
The selfless nature of Anakin Skaywalker have prevented him from falling to the dark side. There’s a great lesson in that movie should one be observant in the exchange of words.
Hi Walter,
Very important topic: giving, in this day and age. I agree that it is all about gobbling up whatever we can get at. It is the selfless individuals like the rescue workers heading to Haiti who have to be lauded. These are the true heroes. People who give first are the people that I respect.
Best,
Bob
Bob Bessette´s last blog ..Interview with FrugalTheme creator, Eric Hamm.
Yes Bob rescue workers are indeed true heroes. They give themselves despite the dangers they may face.
That’s so true how giving is usually done selfishly these days. We try to give back and teach our kids to be selfless so they can carry on the tradition.
Casey´s last blog ..Why Didn’t Somebody Warn Us – Part Two On Going Dye Free
One of the greatest legacy we can give to our children are the good virtues we have learned in life. Giving is the noblest of them all.
We discover who we are by watching our thoughts. By being more given our thoughts are more generous. We see the difference we are making in people’s lives. These positive thoughts change the way we think and feel. It’s a wonderful circle.
I feel that every day is a chance to improve the world and in essence our own lives.
Karl Staib – Work Happy Now´s last blog ..Hard, Fun and Beautiful – Creative Pen Edition
Inherent in all of us is the longing to connect with others, but as our minds become corrupted by systems of selfishness, we have forgotten who we really are. It is wise to rediscover this part of our true self.
I truly believe the more you give the more you will then receive. It may not ever seem like it from a one way point of view as many people have tunnel vision but when you give in life then life gives back to you.
Giving does define who we all are because to give is just to receive in the end anyway and if we give good then we receive good.
Eric´s last blog ..The Way I Blog With Ease
The more we give without expectation, the more we will receive.
Walter,
Thanks for these thoughts. I’ve found I can’t keep my serenity unless I first continue to give to myself in self-caring ways, and also to give positive energy to others. My favorite giving is the kind no one really notices, and that I don’t receive thanks for, but that contributes to the growth of my family, or friendships, or community. Like taking my stepdaughter clothes shopping or my dad to a dr. appointment, taking notes at a volunteer meeting and making copies for the group…letting others go in front of me at the grocery or in traffic.
Thanks for your writing; I enjoy your blog and have given you the Sunshine Award.
http://bit.ly/aTsDvq 
Thank you Linda for adding some light on the essence of giving. And thank you for giving me the Sunshine Award.
heyyy…ur posts help me in introspecting the very basics f ma life..!!!truely amazing wurk…!!!
I’m glad I’ve did Tiashaa. Thanks for your presence here.
The true essence is giving without expecting in return. Most of the time we are giving someone something they need, and they usually don’t have the means to give anything back. Usually, the act of giving is to help, (either financially, mentally, physically, etc.), and the only thing that could diminish that act, I believe, is to do it expecting something out of it.
Walter – What a great thing to point out right before Christmas! We all get way too caught up in gifts. Like you, I don’t have a problem with gifts, but there are certainly more important things that we can focus on. In particular, I like that you mention enthusiasm. People really do need the encouragement that comes from enthusiastic individuals. I appreciate the enthusiasm and positive thoughts you share on this site!