It took me over 50 years to slip into the habit it of it, but now, after my life started to change radically around 7 years ago, I can truly say I give a lot.<\/p>\n
Giving is a funny thing.<\/p>\n
The ego both loves it and hates it with a vengeance.<\/p>\n
The ego adores giving because of its (perceived) altruistic nature.<\/p>\n
Giving feels good in a Gandhi kind of holy way.<\/p>\n
It has a spiritual vibe about it -and it might even build you some good karma!<\/p>\n
But on the other hand there\u2019s this deep distrust when it comes to giving.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s always a point where the ego starts to expect some getting back.<\/p>\n
Especially in low moods.<\/p>\n
The ego is a fast and furious bookkeeper of good and bad deeds, and has an amazing talent for looking at itself in the world in a very partial and wronged way.<\/p>\n
And in that place, giving stops being such a good idea.<\/p>\n
Now, something occurred to me the other day.<\/p>\n
Giving can feel both really good and really bad and everything in between, but it\u2019s only very recently that I\u2019ve realized what it actually means to be a serious giver: you simply stop making a fuss about it.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
I know that I\u2019ve become a giver (and not just act like one) because I hardly ever think about it.<\/p>\n
I just give.<\/em><\/p>\n
I give my time and attention, my books, my blogs, my videos, my poems and my smile.<\/p>\n
I give away free coaching sessions.<\/p>\n
I give patience and respect and I give the last delicious piece of chocolate because I care more about the smile on my daughter’s face than my own sweet craving.<\/p>\n
So, yeah, I guess it\u2019s just another one of those bloody paradoxes, where stuff starts to feel prettay good<\/em> in a humble and natural and really comfortable way… as soon as you stop doing it to feel good.<\/p>\n
Whenever giving stops being about giving, it becomes more of a passing on, a sharing.<\/p>\n
And then you’ll discover that giving happens through you.<\/p>\n
Life IS giving, and you are just a part of it.<\/p>\n
What a gift.<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n