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You are the gift for the giving and to the giver comes the reward, the gift of giving. At this time of Christmas, and the keeping of a True Advent, comes the inspiration to be compassionate, kind and generous in the giving of ourselves and all the other means of abundance with which we have been blessed. "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. 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 mindfulness 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." The Prophet on Giving by Kahlil Gibran In the Spirit of a True Advent we are birthed into a greater awareness of being more open and wholehearted, and from the abundance of the heart comes the compassion and loving kindness that compels us to live with mindful awareness of the needs and suffering of others, of the less fortunate. As the hand of Life touches our hearts, it is in the gift of giving that Life gives of Itself, from us to another, and we are but players in the game, in the flow of the receiving, giving, and receiving again from the abundant storehouse of Life. In the Spirit of a True Advent, the open and wholehearted also experiences a fuller capacity to receive. In truth we are all receivers, givers and receivers again. In authentic wholeheartedness let your needs be known. Ask and you will receive, when you ask with the expectation of receiving that which is your truth and your highest good. Ask of others, and in your asking give them the gift of being a loving, kind and compassion giver of themselves and a sharing of their gifts and means with others, in that is their treasure and reward. And so, let each of us come into this time of Advent filled with lovingkindness, ready to participate fully and freely in the expression of Life in this True Advent season of goodwill, as receivers, givers, and receivers again. And through us may the bounty of the infinite abundance of the Divine come into a more fully manifestation in the world. Go, and in the Spirit of Christmas, of a True Advent, a giver and a receiver be! If you have any further questions about the spiritual insights in this blog post or any other of my Spiritual Director services: counseling, coaching, teaching, programs or retreats, contact me directly at: info@cdlministries.com
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