In my new Universe, I’ve met some amazing people who truly do give. In so many ways..in person and via the written word, in thoughts and acts, big and small. From a personal perspective and a professional one. Just this week, I’ve seen the most selfless of selves, handing out their knowledge and passion and enthusiasm so plentifully. With unfaltering support and pure intentions. No expectations of a return, generous simply because they don’t know how else to be. And while I was noticing the selflessness, I was also noticing the happiness that seemed to radiate too.
And then, because people are not made perfect, I’ve sometimes glimpsed the opposite of that. Random acts of unkindness and selfishness that come from a place of fear. Reactions to events that were never intended to be hurtful or harmful. Poor assumptions. An inability to remember that we are all just making. our. own. way. there. As we should. As we are entitled to. Don’t we all dream as children of becoming something special? Of making our parents proud? Don’t we all grow up and wake up each day with the hope that we will become what we long for, either through hard work or luck or a portion of both? Isn’t it okay to want to be just a little bit amazing? Even if it means the fragile, hopeful person next door is sometimes amazing too? We all yearn to reach our full potential yet it’s easy to just become lost in worry that someone else might just do it first. Or better.
There are opportunities every day of our lives to either be giving, or be resentful. To open our hearts and freely give without expectation and to be amazed at just what comes back. Or to expend so much energy in trying to hold tightly what we see as ours and ours alone that we’re completely consumed by fear, missing out on the chance of so much beauty and thankfulness in return.
I know I always try to teach with this approach but I want it to be more than that. I aspire to live with giving. Whether it be knowledge or support or concern, or whatever else it might be, I am striving to give with a whole heart. Every. Single. Day. To live by the idea that something cannot be taken if you give it away. And if I do happen to slip, as I no doubt will, I’ll forgive my human-ness and try better next time. I will give myself leeway.
To those who I’ve shared beautiful conversations with this week regarding this very thing, thank you. To Fran, for giving me the “pretty” in the picture (and so much else), thank you. To Ava, for always providing the inspiration to be the me I want to be (and the you I think you would have been)..my darling, thank you.
x
