Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Giving=Receiving



We have all heard the adage that it is much better to give than receive. Another popular statement is that the gift is in the giving.

I was reminded of this when doing my inspirational reading in A Course In Miracles earlier today. The lesson stated to give and receive are one in truth. What I interpreted this to mean was that if we offer love to a person, then we feel love. If we offer peace or gentleness, that is what is returned to us. By the same token, if we offer our anger, jealousy, resentment or hate, then that too is returned to us. It makes sense, doesn't it?

We may like to believe that we can have peace and love in our hearts, yet we have enemies that we abhor at the same time. If we are thinking hateful and angry thoughts then we will not truly feel peace, gentleness and joy. We receive the blessing of love by offering love. It is by sharing this blessing that it is returned to us. We know this by how it feels. Many of us prefer to think that we are all separate beings and have no relation to one another. The truth is we are all one. We are drops of water in the same ocean. What affects one of us, affects us all. This is why our offering of love and peace to another is also a gift to ourselves.

If you're interested, here's a little experiment. Find someone (it doesn't matter if you know them or not) and connect with them with your heart. Imagine you are sending them peace. Notice then how it feels. What happens to your outlook on the world when it is peace that you are focused on and sharing unconditionally? Repeat often , substituting joy, love, understanding, forgiveness etc.

In today's world where there are many situations that reflect animosity and hate, using the power that we each have to receive peace simply by sharing it, is likely to make a very big difference, one heart at a time.


2 comments:

lost in leetonia said...

For some reason as I read the prescription you posted today. I thought about the back of a shampoo bottle: Lather, rinse and repeat.

Maybe my bottle should read: love, forgive and repeat. Thanks for the insight.

Kate Sholonski (moderator) said...

Yes, I love that comparison! You just gave me an idea for another blog topic. Thank you!