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Daily Question, August 29

How have I been enriched by giving?

  • The Night Queen

    A few years ago, I gave myself a mission to give back in some way at least once every month for a year- this could include volunteering, donating, or helping a friend in need. The joy and self fulfillment I received that year came in bounds. I truly enjoy giving what I can when I can.

  • Antoinette
    I volunteer and do mindfulness movements with people who have early dementia and a different group of people who are either drug addicted or have alcohol addiction or both. My life has been enriched by being with all of these wonderful people. Last Friday I got an unexpected phone call which left me feeling distressed and in tears. I had a flood of different kinds of emotions and felt embarrassed that this had occurred at a volunteer job. Unexpectedly, the head coordinator came in and start...

    I volunteer and do mindfulness movements with people who have early dementia and a different group of people who are either drug addicted or have alcohol addiction or both.
    My life has been enriched by being with all of these wonderful people.
    Last Friday I got an unexpected phone call which left me feeling distressed and in tears. I had a flood of different kinds of emotions and felt embarrassed that this had occurred at a volunteer job. Unexpectedly, the head coordinator came in and started to console me. I was able to slow down and pause to take a few breaths and to listen to her speak. What was beautiful was the lesson in breaking out from our train of thoughts.
    A few of the men who come on Fridays also came into the room and listened to the transformation. It felt like a safe environment for them too and it was good for us all to feel like we were there supporting each other with whatever may come up.
    It ended up that a few more people chose to sit with us in meditation. Perhaps showing real life emotions and experiences makes us all see ourselves as being truly connected.
    I’m grateful for all of these wonderful caring people.

    Read More
  • Hot Sauce
    For my experiential learning in seminary, I am giving my time to help save a man on death row whose execution is likely to be botched because of a medical condition he has. He previously had a stay of execution because of this, but the Supreme Court ruled that he could be executed, despite this risk. I hope that the state of Missouri will give him another stay of execution so that the Eighth Amendment is not violated, and this man's rights are maintained. If he survives, I will be enriched by kn...

    For my experiential learning in seminary, I am giving my time to help save a man on death row whose execution is likely to be botched because of a medical condition he has. He previously had a stay of execution because of this, but the Supreme Court ruled that he could be executed, despite this risk. I hope that the state of Missouri will give him another stay of execution so that the Eighth Amendment is not violated, and this man’s rights are maintained. If he survives, I will be enriched by knowing that I did what I could to save his life and save him from torture. #SpareRussell
    https://www.change.org/p/sparerussell

    Read More
  • Ose

    It is such a pleasure to see the other happy, happier than without the gift given. It creates happiness in all concerned.

  • Elizabeth M Jones

    It is like bread on the water. When I give without thought of personal cost or money it is like sowing seeds and after many days it comes back to me in love and kindness and goodwill. It is like a game the more I give the more comes back to me. How wonderful is that?

  • Ian
    I have been so thankful to get to know so many life-changing people through the act of giving. I think of a weekly foot care clinic that a few of my nursing friends and I put on at a homeless shelter in Boise. While we were certainly giving of our time and training, I found myself always walking away from those clinics just blown away by the generosity and giving nature of the homeless people that I was supposedly there to give to. I always ended up receiving so much from those lovely friends of...

    I have been so thankful to get to know so many life-changing people through the act of giving. I think of a weekly foot care clinic that a few of my nursing friends and I put on at a homeless shelter in Boise. While we were certainly giving of our time and training, I found myself always walking away from those clinics just blown away by the generosity and giving nature of the homeless people that I was supposedly there to give to. I always ended up receiving so much from those lovely friends of mine.

    Read More
    • Sheila

      Ian, what a touching reflection, both hearing about you and your friends putting on the foot care clinic and about the giving nature and generosity of the homeless people! Thank-you for sharing this! Peace and blessings to you.?

  • Kat

    People give to me, and I give to others. Both are warming and enlivening for the heart.

  • Kit
    I always thought I was a giving person because I donate money when I can and help where I see need, but this year has really challenged me in my perception. I'm trying to open my heart to the humans in my community without homes and acknowledge our shared humanity. If I can't give money,food or water, I try to make eye contact and chat, or give a little wave. I've met some interesting people (and dogs!) and my emotional landscape feels differently. I don't feel shame or guilt when I drive/walk ...

    I always thought I was a giving person because I donate money when I can and help where I see need, but this year has really challenged me in my perception. I’m trying to open my heart to the humans in my community without homes and acknowledge our shared humanity. If I can’t give money,food or water, I try to make eye contact and chat, or give a little wave. I’ve met some interesting people (and dogs!) and my emotional landscape feels differently. I don’t feel shame or guilt when I drive/walk past these humans, I feel unity and hope, and I hope that I’m spreading that too.

    Read More
  • TofuLove

    Probably every possible way. By focusing on what I can give instead of what I can receive I’m happier, more content and appreciate what I do have more. If you think more about others you feel positive, think positive about near everyone and have less stress and more kindness

  • Sheila

    In his book, ‘A Course in Miracles made easy’, Alan Cohen says, “The gifts of God are energetic experiences. When you give love, kindness, patience or forgiveness, you gain the experience of the gift you are giving, in the moment you give it, so you are as blessed as the receiver”. Thank-you to all who share here and to gratefuness.org for giving of yourself, I am enriched by all of you!?

  • Eileen
    I am a care giver relief volunteer. Yesterday was my first day with my new family. The husband is 80 yrs. old with dementia. I sat with him for 2 hrs. while his wife did bills and talked to an old friend. I was feeling tired and grumpy before I went. I read, said some prayers while Mr. T was napping. We then connected dot-to-dot pictures and then colored them. Mrs. T returned from her chores to laughter as Mr. T and I were flying paper airplanes around his room! Mr. T’s eyes were shin...

    I am a care giver relief volunteer. Yesterday was my first day with my new family. The husband is 80 yrs. old with dementia. I sat with him for 2 hrs. while his wife did bills and talked to an old friend. I was feeling tired and grumpy before I went. I read, said some prayers while Mr. T was napping. We then connected dot-to-dot pictures and then colored them. Mrs. T returned from her chores to laughter as Mr. T and I were flying paper airplanes around his room! Mr. T’s eyes were shining in delite. I was not grumpy any more. Left tired but laughing. Both Mr.& Mrs. T and I received the gift of laughter and blessings yesterday. I am 76 yrs young and felt like a kid again!

    Read More
  • Samuel

    As Michele has noted, the act of giving to others feels good to the giver as it also blesses those in need. One of life’s few occasions wherein a single positive act begets multiple positive results…
    sb

  • Carla

    By transitioning to thinking of how can I help others vs how can you help me(!); situations multiple a hundred fold to give a smile, open a door, listen to another, pet a neighbor’s dog… My internal energy shifts, I’m automatically drawn out of my self centered preoccupation. Gratitude fills my being & I’m more connected to the Divine Energy of Life.

  • GCharlotte

    Most definetly.God listens better and loves more.

  • Michele

    It feels good to give:) It doesn’t matter if it’s $, time, random acts of kindness. It comes from the heart. I know communities will be giving with hurricane Dorian on the way…. fellow Floridians stay safe.

    • Cora

      Thank you, Michele, you too be safe! I suppose the ‘good news’ is that Dorian is expected to be ‘significantly smaller’ than Irma in 2017. I hope Dorian knows this …

  • EJP

    By giving, one discovers the true meaning of gratefulness.

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