The Art of Giving

What is the literal meaning of giving? It is providing someone an experience by giving them something.
But I think otherwise. A very special form of giving takes the form of small, personal acts of kindness.
Very often it is not money or belongings that people need, it’s the things that can’t be seen, such as advice, reassurance, a kind word, compliments or a smile. It doesn’t have to be material.
Sometimes a simple kind gesture is worth millions more than an object that will get spoiled over time, whereas the memory of the gesture will stay forever.

True giving comes from the same place inside you as your deepest happiness. They are inexplicably intertwined.

The act of giving doesn’t have to be limited to an exchange of presents at Christmas time or birthdays. You can treat every person you come into contact with as someone who you can give a gift to.

Giving is a privilege for both the giver and the receiver. It is a rare and precious energy resource which connects people. This connection enriches us.
The giver and receiver are bonded together in a state of delight.

Giving is difficult because it threatens the ego with the fear of loss, scarcity, and deprivation.

Logic tells us if we have two apples and give one away, we have one less apple. However we are just creating a flow. Because in giving, we open ourselves to receive as well.

Isn’t it a wonderful paradox that when you expect something in return you limit the power of your giving? When you give without any thought or desire for something back, your returns will be truly limitless.

Our life is like a river of energy, continually flowing. What happens when a river stops moving? It get very muddy, and stagnant. A fast flowing river is full of life and clear water.

Where would you rather drink?

The acts of giving and receiving are a continuous process of circulation that continues the flow of your life’s energies. For one person to receive someone else has to give.

Pause for a moment as you read this, and take a big, deep breath. Hold it for as long as you possibly can. As you hold it inside, notice how uncomfortable you begin to feel when you are holding on to something that is meant to be released.
The intention behind your giving is the most important thing. The intention should always be to create happiness for both the giver and the receiver.

If you want to experience more joy, give joy to others, if you want more love, learn to give love, if you want attention and appreciation, do the same with others. These are some of life’s most precious gifts and they don’t cost you a dime.

The very act of giving can be silent yet powerful. When you meet someone, you can silently send them a blessing, wishing them happiness, joy and laughter. This kind of silent giving isvery powerful. Do this, (with no thought of return) and you will suddenly find people around you opening to you in joy and happiness.

Make a decision that wherever you go, to whoever you meet, to give. As long as you are giving, you will also be receiving. The more you give, the more will flow back to you and be returned many times over.
Giving creates a pattern of happiness, joy and love in your life beyond your wildest expectations.

In ancient China, Lao Tsu wrote: “Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in Giving Creates Love.”

The Uneaten Sandwich

There was a slight pain in my head and when I sat up I felt really dizzy. The room was dark and when I looked out the small window the sun had already set. I had no clue of the time since I had no watch and my phone was discharged. I got up slowly and fumbled for a light switch. My hand pressed a button ad immediately the room was flooded with yellow light. The room was spacious with a mattress, cupboard and a small washroom. I walked to the door opposite the bathroom and opened it. Thankfully it was not locked.

At the end of the corridor, there was a staircase. It was like the old staircases with huge steps. It was covered in dust. When I was half way down the step I was standing on made a creaking sound. I hurriedly went onto the next step, just in time too, as the wood in the middle gave way and left a gaping hole in its place.

There was a light shining at the end of the hall. I heard the sound of a door closing and when I cautiously stepped in I saw it was a kitchen and there was a young lady maybe in her early twenties, making a sandwich.

“Oh you’re awake. How are you feeling now?” She asked me.

“I…um…I don’t remember what happened to me.” I said hesitantly.

“Yes, when I found you, there was a big branch lying beside you and you were knocked out cold.” She explained.

“That’s why you have a nasty bruise there.” She handed me an ice pack.

Fuzzy bits and pieces were coming back to me now. I remember telling my mum that I was going for a walk. I had wandered quite far and there was a strong gale blowing. A branch had fallen on my head knocking me out. My gaze wandered to the tiled floor and with a jolt I realised that she didn’t have a shadow. Now it wasn’t that there wasn’t enough lighting. The kitchen was well lit. I couldn’t resist so I went for it.

“Why don’t you have a shadow?”

She froze and there was a tense silence that surrounded us. Suddenly I regretted asking anything.

“Are you hungry?” she asked he tone crisp as though she was trying to control herself.

“Yeah….”

“Good thing I already made a sandwich then isn’t it?” She whirled around so fast I couldn’t keep up and thrust the plate in my hands, I barely held onto it. She picked up her own plate and when she turned back around we made eye contact for two seconds. Her eyes were pitch black. I shivered at the coldness in them.

She led the way to the hall and to the table. It was covered in dust. Like the rest of things in the house.

There was a chandelier hanging from the ceiling and it was broken in some places.

“Where am I?” I asked her.

“At the haunted house of the village” She said simply.

“Wait what?! Are you serious?!” I nearly choked on my sandwich, it wasn’t like I hadn’t seen it ever before, but only from the outside.

“What’s the time?”

“Around five in the morning.” She answered.

“Well I got to go…” I was frightened now! And oh my god my parents! They must be freaking out by now. She suddenly reached across to grab my hand. It was ice cold. Her dark eyes seemed like they could see into my soul. “Listen,” she whispered in icy tones.

“No one can know about me and no one should know what happened here, okay?” I gulped and nodded my head too scared to say a word.

She seemed unearthly in the yellow light. I turned one last time before I left but she had already vanished and the sandwich on her plate lay uneaten.