The Catharsis of Giving

Giving has a bad rap. Giving means putting your energy out instead of taking something in. Many people think that giving is a drain or an obligation but the secret is that giving is done for yourself. Giving of your time, your energy or sharing your gifts is a form of self love. You nurture yourself by nurturing others. Knowing that you're in a position to help another person, regardless of how little or how much you have fills you with a sense of pride and contentment. Doing something because others are counting on you is so much easier than doing something just for yourself. Even though we usually talk about New Year's Resolutions today and giving on Christmas, it's also possible to think about giving throughout the new year. Give in ways that are uniquely your own. Express yourself through your gifts and share your talents with others. Listening carefully when someone needs to talk is a wonderful gift. You don't have to give advice and you don't even have to speak but you have to actively listen. Think about what they're saying without putting your own interpretations in. Try to understand what the event they're talking about means to them, even though you're different and would handle things differently. Everyone has lessons to learn. Giving a person the space to make mistakes and to learn from their mistakes is also another form of giving.

Happy New Year
2008
Debbie