Tag: generosity

The Entirety of Love.

I received a message rather early this morning. A young man, with not ‘much cause to live’ was in dire need of a compassionate ear. We talked for at least an hour over ‘coffee’; I doing my best to place all back into perspective.

“She didn’t even say goodbye,” his tears marking the space where confusion soon settled in. They’d been married for over 20 years; he, a faithful husband and she, the dutiful wife. Though bound by matrimony, he’d felt there was always ‘something much deeper’ – spirit partners, soul mates and friends for life.

He couldn’t understand the sudden change in her temperament. Neither, could he understand a betrayal of this magnitude. He felt alone, judged – and, in his own words ‘worthless’; a man lost in the wake of dissolution. “Ever has it been,” Kahlil Gibran once wrote, “that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.”

The energy of desperation can be immediately overwhelming. Just as the storm waters rage through, we fight the instinct

I’ve never understood why we so easily forfeit our own for another’s view?

The energy of feeling alone can be immediately overwhelming. Just as the storm waters surging through, we fight the inclination to cling…to grip. Meanwhile, all of life slips into swirled patterns upon the river’s tumultuous path.

Oh, my goodness – how quickly we forfeit our own for another person’s view. We want so desperately to belong, to be accepted – not judged. Though, love should never be proffered on the basis of condition; nor, should it be levied on reciprocity’s expectation.

Love just is.

And, likewise – you are not the entirety of another’s vision, my loves; rather, you are ‘entirety’ on its own.

In peace, my loves…

Namaste <3

That Which Kindness Brings.

I watched a young woman struggling at the check out line. In one are she cradled her infant son, and in the other she struggled to count out change.

“I know it’s in here,” she offered apologetically. Though, as she rummaged through the final depths of her purse, I could tell that she already knew.

When I was a young mother, I struggled, too. And, there were days, my loves – where there was barely enough to feed my then infant son. Oh, how I used to envy those who could make their purchase without consequence; who didn’t have to perform continuous calculations in their head.

I remember once standing just as she did, already knowing but wishing to conceal my shame.

“Hey, you dropped something,” an old once called out from behind. “You should be a little more careful with your money,” he winked.

As I looked down, I could see his ‘gift’ literally laying at my feet — a half folded twenty dollar bill.

“Well, look at that,” he smiled. “It was there all along.” And then he whispered, “That feeling in your heart right now? Make sure you share it with others.”

I’ve thought of him often throughout the years, for on that day he shared so much more than the gift itself.

He taught me the immeasurable value a simple kindness held.

He taught me that even the smallest of gestures could prove everlasting.

“Is that yours,” I asked, as I dropped a half folded twenty to the floor. She looked at me at first with disbelief, then relief.

“Remember this moment,” I whispered in return. “And, promise me you’ll always try to carry it forward.”

For who are we if we can not serve another?

In peace, my loves…

Namaste ❤️

A Chance for Love.

“Within each challenge, there is love.”

Those were the words once spoken to me by my dearest friend and mentor. The year was 1992, and my grandfather had been hospitalized for heart failure. Sadly, he wasn’t expected to make it through the night.

At just 23 years old, I had barely enough life experience to navigate through such sadness. Though thankfully, I had the loving heart of a dear friend at my service.

The circumstances of his passing were difficult, at best. It was early February, and the airports had been closed due to a passing ice storm – making my 3,000 plus mile journey nearly impossible.

Adding to this, was a direct line supervisor – who saw weakness as an opportunity to deny my leave request.

I remember making my way to the pay phone in the hallway of our dorm. “I’m so sorry, Mom,” I cried, “But, they said I’m not allowed to come home.”

To this day, I’ll never forget the sound of my Mother’s tears – even though, she did her very best to mask.

It was just then that I heard a familiar voice call out. “Tell me, who is that you’re speaking to?”

When I explained the circumstances of my upset – the airports, the ice storms, the denial of my leave request – he simply smiled, and said,

“Well then, that’s not so bad.”

Within the hour, he had arranged for my travel home. The airfare, the luggage fees, the taxi to and from each airport – all graciously shared through the generosity of strangers.

“Just remember,” he smiled, as I made my way to the door. “Within each challenge, there is opportunity; and, within each opportunity – there is love.”

Indeed, within every moment – there is an opportunity for love. Including those that may – at times – cause us to crumble. Yes, dear – even in those heart wrenching, unforgivably selfish moments, my darlings – there is a chance for love.

Though, sometimes we need a little darkness – to see how the light finds its way through.

A little something to consider, my darlings – where there is challenge, there is opportunity. And, where there is opportunity – there is a chance for  love.

Namaste.

The Gift of Giving.

My goodness, what a lovely story this morning – shared graciously from Service Space. The author, I’m sad to say, is presently unknown – though, isn’t their message an absolute blessing?

Indeed, what does it mean to truly give? Is it a matter of action or sentiment? And, how do we disentangle the act of giving from the attachment of outcome?

In this beautiful story, famed warrior, Arjuna faces this challenge as he questions Krishna, who is the noblest giver in the land.

“Karna is without doubt the finest example of generosity in all the kingdom,” Krishna shares.

Of course, the answer is upsetting to Arjuna, as Karna is one of his biggest rivals on the battlefield. Noting Arjuna’s upset, Krishna devises a skillful test.

“Do you see those two mountains ?” Krishna asks. As Arjuna turns his gaze, the tall peaks in the distance begin to shimmer and reflect the light. Incredibly, the two mountains before him had turned into solid gold.

“Now Arjuna, I have a task for you,” says Krishna, ” You must distribute these two mountains of gold among the poor villagers who live in the foothills. Let me know when you have given away every last pebble of it.”

Excited by this opportunity to impress Krishna and the world with his philanthropic abilities, Arjuna summons all the villagers together and addresses them grandly. “Listen,” says Arjuna, “For I bring glad news. I will be distributing these two glorious mountains of gold amongst all of you.” A gasp of wonder and delight rises from the audience, as the air filled with song in praise of the great warrior Arjuna. Energized by their admiration, Arjuna set forth a master plan for the collection and distribution of this new found wealth.

For two straight days, he shoveled tirelessly – but, to no avail. To his dismay, the mountains remained unchanged. And, the more he shoveled – it seemed, the more remained. Forced nearly to the brink of exhaustion, he declares – “I must take a few days of rest before I dare to continue.”

In response, Krishna summons Karna into his presence. “Do you see those two mountains?” Krishna asks of Karna. “Yes,” returns the noble warrior. “You must distribute them among the poor villagers who live in the foothills. Let me know when you have given away every last pebble of it.”

Without a moment’s hesitation Karna calls out to two villagers who happen to be passing by at that moment. “Do you see those two mountains?” Karna asks them. “Yes,” comes the response. “Those two mountains of gold are yours to do with as you please,” says Karna with a smile bright as the sunrise.

And just as easily as he utters these words, he bows to Krishna and walks away.

Arjuna sat dumbfounded by this turn of events. How could something of such value be so easily distributed?

“Arjuna,” offered Krishna, his voice warm with wisdom. “in your mind the gold occupied a place of high value, and sub-consciously you were drawn to it. In doing so, you diminished the true essence of giving – that is to say, to give without expectation of return.

You had a muddied approach to giving. You tried to strategize and divide up the gold according to who you thought was most worthy of the gift. But these petty calculations tired your spirit, and over time, you were forced to realize that the mountains’ abundance is far beyond the capacity of your individual head, heart and hands.”

Arjuna silently absorbed the truth of these words into his being.

“And what about Karna?” he finally ventured to ask.

“The gold meant nothing to Karna,” returned Krishna easily, “For him the true gift was not the gold but the act of giving in itself. He had no calculations to make, nor was he seeking anything in return by way of acknowledgement or praise. He offered everything with a clear heart and a pure mind, and having given he moved on to meet the next moment. And that, dear Arjuna, is a true sign of a person on the path of Awakening.”

Indeed, to offer of heart with no expectation of return – my darlings, this is the greatest gift we might ever share.

And, in time, becoming the blessing within the present.

The Meaning of Gratitude.

My darlings, I had posted this yesterday as part of my ‘gratitude project’ – a personal challenge, of sorts…to find and then share a little something which has helped to fill my heart on that day.

At first, I hesitated to post – as, I didn’t want the sorrow of my cousin’s sudden passing to impact the loving energy here.

But, then I realized – how sad it might be not to share his brilliant light.

And, so if you’ll indulge me, my darlings – this moment, right here. To say ‘thank you’ to this energy of selfless loving-kindness that surrounds me each day.

Perhaps, all of you might join me in this gratitude challenge.

Gratitude Project, Day 4 –

I am grateful for this scrap of paper that was carefully tucked into a box and written by my dear cousin who recently passed away.

“I’m sorry for the delay,” he wrote – it was a parcel containing the digitized 8mm home movies of our family growing up. Even though he was diagnosed with inoperable cancer over Christmas and given just weeks to live, still his intention was that of giving, to ensure my happiness over his own. I have to believe, he must have been experiencing terrible pain, with a million reasons to tuck away from this world.

But, to the end he stayed true to his loving, selfless heart – and for that, I am ever-grateful. #gratitudeproject

My darlings, if I might trouble you to ask – on this day, what is it that fills your heart with gratitude?