GRATITUDE MONTH: DAY 25: “When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.” ― Maya Angelou
When I first got here, my giving was of the variety where I did it to look good. That has changed over time, and I do it less conspicuously today.
Even in my least financially abundant times, I have maintained a portion of my income for gifting. This is in a variety of things that feed my soul.
What I find most impactful is the time I can give to others. The time to do things for them that they need to have done. I learned this at any early part of my recovery by reading “A New Pair of Glasses.”
In that book, Chuck C. talks about doing for God’s kids those things they most need to have done and letting the Universe (God, in his vernacular) reward me with abundance and plenty.
That has been an interesting process over these many years.
I am pleased to say that my work in this world is at an end (paid employment). I work today at a job that requires my presence for one hour a week. I love that job tremendously and love the people I get to work with. They are tremendous teachers, and I am blessed to get to know them.
There is an intimacy and learning about ourselves that takes place in the work I do. I also get to have this in the work I do in recovery with those I sponsor and the friends with whom I am closest.
It is not possible for me to work with others without getting deeply into their lives and hearts. I get to see them, because that is how I roll. So many of us do not get that gift. We stay in the shallow end of relationships and seldom dive in deep.
I am not that person. I go deeply into my own and others’ “stuff” to get to the “causes and conditions” of our dysfunction. I believe that this kind of deep healing is the only reason to do the work.
I am okay with this. Today, I am blessed by the relationships that have been allowed to be created because of this depth of connection and integrity of those involved.
We cannot reveal our deepest selves without growing to love each other and self. That is the reason for this work, I do believe. In doing this, we can securely form a relationship with that Power we are searching desperately to find.
How can we NOT be blessed in this? So, the gift is to the giver and the receiver, because they are one and the same. I cannot give myself fully to you unless you are able to receive me at that level. Nor can you do that with me unless I am receptive. It is a win-win situation, a deep and lasting connection that many people never realize nor receive. And Maya is right, EVERYONE IS BLESSED!
Dolphin Hug 