Giving

During the holiday season too much emphasis is put on holiday giving and too many people painfully go into debt in order to give material things to each other and their families. It is time to step back and look at things from an old and new perspective. It is time to do our holidays a new way and not allow ourselves to be swayed by ads, peers, commercials and news.

It is time to stop ourselves from being lead like cattle in any direction the people behind the retail sales and media blitz see fit. Giving from the heart is what's most important and the following poem from a historical author reminds us of what is important to our souls. We can fix our holiday traditions to work more in alignment for everyone's highest good. It is not necessary to spend money we don't have or give gifts for the pure material sake of giving, because we feel the pressure to do so. This is not what Christmas is about in the first place.

Ask yourself, How can I give from my heart to my family and teach my family to give from their hearts? There is something very special about giving out of love and from your heart. Let's recapture the true essence of giving and receiving this holiday season. Make the holidays come alive inside of you! 

What new family tradition will you be start this year? 

Khalil Gibran, The Prophet, Poem on Giving

Then said a rich man, speak to us of Giving.

And he answered:

You give but little when you give of your possessions.

It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.

For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for 
fear you may need them tomorrow?

And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the over-prudent

dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims 

to the holy city?

And what is fear of need but need itself?

Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, the thirst that is 

unquenchable?

There are those who give little of the much which they have -

and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes

their gifts unwholesome.

And there are those who have little and give it all.

These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their

coffer is never empty.

There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.

And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their

baptism.

And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do 

they seek joy, nor give with mindfullness of virtue;

They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance

into space.

Through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind 

their eyes He smiles upon the earth.

It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, 

through understanding; 

And to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is 
joy greater than giving.

And is there naught you would withhold?

All you have shall some day be given.