No thanks...

Often when we extend ourselves to someone else, or when we give a gift, or when we "do a favor" for someone, we expect a gift in return. That gift is usually: "thank you."

I can honestly tell you I'm not Miss Manners. Miss Manners will be perfectly happy to tell you that when you give a gift, the proper response from the receiver of the gift is "thank you."

I'm writing about another kind of giving here, though. I'm writing about the kind of giving that makes US into the best human beings we can be. The kind of giving I'm writing about is not dependent on the response we receive. It's about giving to open ourselves up to the great goodness, the great wonder, the great beauty of this good world. The kind of giving I'm writing about is another practice that can expand your life, change your life and your attitude toward life, and change the way we treat others completely.

Give because it makes YOU feel good. That's it. That's the practice. Give for yourself. Give to expand yourself. Give to feel joy. Give just because it's good for you to give. If the receiver of your gift says, "thanks!," then that's good. But that's not the purpose of the giving you're practicing.

Practice this for a day or a week or a month. What I'm suggesting is that you begin to notice your own motivations for whatever you choose to do. This is a freeing practice! As you practice, you will discover that you are not dependent on the reactions of others. You are free to choose. If you choose generosity, then the gift of generosity is your gift to yourself. If you choose to be open to another human being about what is true for you, then the gift of your open-ness is your gift to yourself.

Go ahead. Give. Enjoy.
Warmly,
meb