Hi,
This is Theresa Conte and welcome to Day 29 of 30 Days of Gratitude to Inspire and Uplift You.
Today,
I'd like to begin by sharing a quote by Edwin Arlington Robinson.
He said,
There are two kinds of gratitude,
The kind we feel for what we take and the larger kind we feel for what we give.
And now,
A thought to ponder.
Giving and receiving are part of life's flow and,
Like the infinity sign,
Are intimately connected.
According to an article in the December 13,
2010 issue of Greater Good,
Science-Based Insights for a Meaningful Life,
Whether we are giving or receiving a gift,
The act of giving can elicit feelings of gratitude,
Which is proven to be a cornerstone for happiness,
Health,
And social bonds.
I invite you to close your eyes for a moment and think of a time you gave someone a gift.
It could have been a gift of time,
Like providing a listening ear to someone needing support,
Giving someone a ride to an appointment or grocery store who didn't have a car,
Or visiting someone in the hospital.
Or perhaps the gift involved sharing one of your talents,
Like creating a new website for someone's business who didn't have the finances or knowledge to do it for themselves should you be computer savvy,
Repairing someone's garment if you're a seamstress,
Or helping someone with a gardening project if that's your talent.
Then again,
Perhaps you gifted your treasure,
Like donating money to an organization,
Charity or individual,
Providing a room in your home for someone in need,
Or loaning someone a car.
There are many ways to give and share our gifts.
So as you contemplate the gift you gave,
Notice how you feel as you review whichever situation comes to mind.
Pay attention to your breath,
The rise and fall of your chest.
Perhaps notice a sense of relaxation,
Or even the opening of your heart.
Just notice whatever it is you feel as you review the experience in your mind's eye.
I'll be quiet for a few minutes while you do so.
Perhaps you'll notice the interaction between yourself and the individual or organization you're gifting to.
If so,
What's that like?
How does the person or the people involved respond to your gift,
Whether that be a gift of time,
Talent,
Or treasure?
How do you feel?
For instance,
Do you notice an increase in your happiness and sense of well-being,
Or something else?
Once again,
I'll be quiet for a few minutes while you contemplate the situation.
Now take a cleansing breath and let that experience go,
But keep your eyes closed.
Next,
Think of a time you received a gift of someone's time,
Talent,
Or treasure.
Notice whatever it is that comes to mind.
If there's more than one thing,
That's okay.
Take the first thing that pops up,
Then let that scene play out in your mind's eye.
Notice who's gifting you and how you feel as you review the scene.
For instance,
Is your breath deep or shallow?
Is your sense of happiness more or less than it was during the act of giving?
How are you interacting with the giver?
Are you feeling a sense of appreciation or perhaps a bit shy or reluctant to receive?
Once again,
I'll be quiet for a few moments.
Now let that scene go.
Take a breath and open your eyes.
What did you notice in those two scenarios?
Were there any differences in how you felt between giving and receiving?
If so,
What were they?
No judgments,
Just awareness.
Most of us find it easier to give than to receive.
As a result,
We may find it difficult and shun someone's compliment,
Refuse a gift because we feel unworthy,
Think it's too much,
Or may feel a sense of obligation to do something in return that we don't want to do.
But in closing off the gift,
We deny ourselves and the giver the experience of greater health,
Happiness,
And gratitude.
If you'd like to grow your ability to give and or receive,
Try this as a practice.
For the next week,
Be mindful of the opportunities to give and receive that present themselves.
Giving could include giving your time,
Talents,
Or treasure,
Depending on the situations at hand.
If someone wants to gift you with their time,
Talent,
Or treasure,
Take note of how you feel about the experience.
Are you open to receive and welcome it?
Or do you notice any resistance or tension?
If so,
Take a breath,
Relax,
Allow yourself to receive it,
And say thank you.
Over time,
The process will become easier.
You can even make it a lifetime practice.
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow for our final wrap-up.
In the meantime,
Wishing you a most wonderful day.
