By Julie Charles
AS we rapidly approach the Christmas season, the perfect topic to write about would be “the gift of giving.” To give is defined as the transfer of one’s possession freely to another. However, for some persons, this act is not so easy to undertake. Although some people are conditioned to think that to receive is far more appealing than to give, there is always hidden surprise in giving once you are in tuned with yourself. It is sometimes stated that if you wish to experience peace then you must provide peace for another. It is quite a powerful statement as it implies that in order to receive you must be more than willing to give. As we are in Christmas season and everyone is totally preoccupied in the purchase of gifts, do you actually pay attention to the gifts you are purchasing? Have you ever weighed your friendships in importance and decided what to give to whom or are you just a free-giver and spend any amount?
Fortunately, being a free-giver is one of the most rewarding parts of my life as it is my nature to give. It is my belief that once you are a part of my life then you are important to me and therefore the gift chosen reflects my feelings and appreciation for that individual and what they have added to my life. A gift should come from the heart and, although it may leave me broke at the end of the ritual, the result is amazing. Gifts are tokens given to show your love and appreciation for a friendship or in some cases a relationship, therefore much thought should be given to the process as the gift you give sends a message. “The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable in receiving.”
We do not only give gifts but we give of ourselves on a daily basis. How many of us are actually capable of doing so? Are we too afraid of being hurt so we stop giving and just take what is given? Is it possible for you to actually give without expecting to receive? “You give but little when you give of your possessions, but it is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” For most, it is extremely difficult to open up and to give freely of yourself. However, when you get the best out of others, it is when you give the best of yourself. We tend to feel that to give of ourselves is to be used or abused, but it is really up to the individual whether or not you would allow your gift of giving to become a weapon against you. We cannot become so taken up with a person’s motives for receiving our gifts that we disregard our true purpose.
In my search for a purpose, I had an epiphany as I realised that my purpose in life is to give. A very simple but complicated purpose and it has driven me to write these articles. I felt that sharing my thoughts and experiences with others just might bring comfort to someone who is going through a difficult time or provide realisation to someone who feels confused about life and searching for answers. It is not always easy for me to give, because the gift of giving can sometimes be used as a weapon to hurt and destroy the person who gives, but it is not something that I can stop as it is my nature. As unfair as this may sound, you do not always get back from the persons you give to and you may wonder why bother to give, but you if you are brave enough to give then you will always get back, maybe not from the person you have given to but from someone you never expected to give to you.
Sometimes we tend to question why give of myself to someone or some event only to be neglected, but if you employ faith and trust to the situation and not look for the instant reward then you will discover the true meaning behind the art of giving. It is an extraordinary feeling like climbing the highest mountain or swimming the deepest sea as the sensation of giving can be quite overwhelming. It is my firm belief that the more we give to the world the kinder and gentler this place that live. So try giving a piece of yourself this upcoming season and into the New Year. Help an elderly lady across the street, talk to some of our misguided youths as they just need a grown up to care, do something wonderful for someone who seems depressed, donate some of your unwanted stuff to someone who really needs it more than you, send a card to someone who has assisted you during the year. These little things count in making our island and, by extension, our Caribbean and World a better place.
During this season and the New Year, let us be very mindful of our giving and receiving. We must understand that our actions will always affect another individual whether we want it to or not. The decision to give of your possession or of your heart is a personal one, but do not hold back because of the fear of rejection or disappointment as fear only cripples your desires. Face the New Year with courage and determination that you will give a little more of yourself to those around you and take joy in knowing that someone who you have given to is now a better person because of that special gift. I wish you peace, happiness, love, understanding, faith, and hope for the New Year. Take care of yourselves as if you were the most precious element on earth because you are. “Life is a gift and it offers us the privilege, opportunity and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.”
