One day at home I saw my mother emptying her closet and separating clothes that she would still wear but thought she had more than she needs. I asked her why she doing that and she said that she is going to give all that to women at the charitable health centre. The women at these health centres were suffering from Leprosy and were thrown out of their houses because they were considered untouchables. Over the years she worked with them and help them recover. I saw her wash their feet and apply medicines. She also encouraged my sister and me to get involved in charity work with her. She was recognised for her services by Danida (Denmark’s Development Cooperation under Ministry of Foreign Affairs). This small gesture illustrated my mother’s personality. She was a tough lady in many ways but when it came to generosity, no one was more giving than her. She gave unconditionally be it money, jobs, favours, help, education. She achieved great heights in her career and also was the first person and first woman from Bhilai to receive the National Award for Best Teacher in the year 2000. There were also many other times when I witnessed her helping folks out or helping out hersiblings, who were financially bad.My mother was a giver and I inherited that quality. On her funeral there was a sea of people,some we knew and most we didn’t knew. They all came to pay their gratitude and love to the woman who lived for others.
I’ve found over the years that it’s much easier for me to give (not only money)than it is to receive. I’m used to paying for everything – pulling out the wallet for dinners, coffees, or other such things. If someone needs something, I look for a way to make that happen. It’s just my way. So my prayer list always very long!!!!
Adam Grant ,psychologist and author of the book Give and Take tells us that we all sit somewhere on the spectrum of those who expect only to receive.Harmony is found in the middle, where you can be happy both giving and receiving. Unfortunately, we don’t always see it this way. Giving cannot occur without a receiver. Receiving, therefore, is actually an act of giving. Receiving gives the act of giving someplace to go.
The sun shines, the plants grow and make flowers and fruits, the animals eat the plants and make more creatures. It is all giving.Imagine what would happen if the sun started printing money and told the plants they must now exchange money for sunshine? I realize this sounds ridiculous, and it should.This is what we humans have done to ourselves. We have forgotten who we really are…the creators of our own Universe, and that it is only by giving that we do receive. In your own life, pay attention to the times you are “receiving”, and notice how you are actually “giving”. Pay attention because your giving is creating something somewhere.
To sum up
- When you decide to give always give unconditionally.
- First provide for yourself and then give.
- Check how you feel when you are giving. You should be in Gratitude always.
- Choose wisely to whom you want to give. It will protect you from ungrateful people.
- Always be open to receive also. Don’t shy away when it’s your turn to receive.
It’s just as nice to receive as it is to give!
Psst…a big thank you to everyone for your generosity! You know who you are…my clients, my friends, my family, my teachers and everyone who crossed my path ever.