The Grace of Giving

“Somewhere far down, there was an itch in his heart, but he made it a point not to scratch it.

He was afraid of what might come leaking out.”

(The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, 2006)

Happy New Year to you!  Here we are, once again, making a fresh start at a new year!  Even though 2014 is upon us, I’ve had a hard time letting go of the Giving Spirit that abides during the Christmas Season.  It’s made me contemplate just what that feeling is that surrounds us during Christmas – not the craziness – the warm feeling that lingers throughout.  What I’ve realized is that it is a time when we truly give – a fulfillment of our heart.  It brings forth the warmth of wanting to give and the joy of seeing the response in the eyes of the recipients.  As I thought further, I realized, it’s sometimes scary to give from the heart – whether we’re talking about a simple gift or genuinely extending love to someone – there can be disappointment or even hurt on the other end of the giving, which often stops us from proceeding.

Many years ago, shortly after my divorce, I laid in bed one morning, thinking about the love I had given – did I give enough? – did I give too much?  I realized what it came down to was that I was afraid that if I had given too much love, I may have run out of any more to give - literally.  At that moment, a visual came to me – it was a tin coffee can and it was placed in the center of my chest where my heart lies.  The coffee can began to open – visualize the aroma wafting outward.  As that aroma is a vapor that keeps coming out; so does love.  The message I received was: “It is endless.”

As the quote above from The Book Thief implies, often we are afraid to open our heart – maybe when we have, it has not been appreciated or accepted – maybe someone didn’t show us regard.  However, I think this is where Christmas gives us an opportunity – if only for a moment – to try again.  Somehow the Spirit of Christmas opens our hearts a little more than any other time of year and allows us to take a chance, maybe a risk – often we don’t even know it because we’re so “into” the excitement of it all.  Then, we wonder why we feel so good!

 I’d like to share an excerpt from Louise L. Hay, from her book You Can Heal Your Life (1984):

“Deep at the center of my being there is an infinite well of love.  I now allow this love to flow to the surface.  It fills my heart, my body, my mind, my consciousness, my very being and radiates out from me in all directions and returns to me multiplied.  The more love I use and give, the more I have to give, the supply is endless.  The use of love makes me feel good, it is an expression of my inner joy….”

It is my wish that we take the Giving Spirit of the Christmas Season that begins in our hearts and radiate it outward throughout the year – even if only through simple gestures, accepting moments, and loving thoughts.  The Grace of being able to give love has been given to each one of us, fully.

Blessings for a “Giving Spirit” year to each of you!