The Season of Giving is here and I felt it might be helpful to share the following excerpt from my book, Life’s Healing Setups, about the energy of giving and why it is so important for us to understand, especially at this time of the year.

“One of the most direct ways to set aside our ego agendas, open our life lens, and charge our personal batteries is to freely and joyfully give to others. As we give, we make room to receive. The more we lovingly give, serve, volunteer, or donate to others, with no strings attached, the more we open up our own availability and capacity to receive.

“However, the pivotal words are freely and joyfully. Buying a gift because it is expected, owed, or if we are more concerned with appearances or what others will think of it or us are signs of an ego agenda that shrinks the size of our receiving lens. So does giving anything for the sole purpose of personal gain. Any ulterior motive, sense of sacrifice, or expectation of appreciation or compensation inhibits lens size, even if it had formerly been expanded.

“The size of our life lens fluctuates in response to energy purity. The energy benefits of cheerful giving can present themselves in several ways. As we become aware of more blessings in our own life, we might attain higher levels of personal contentment and happiness, feel more peace, have more hope, see improved personal relationships, and notice more kindness and support within our own world.”

Here’s an illustrative example:

Lisa loves to buy gifts for friends and family even if there is no special occasion. She is an instinctive shopper and often finds new items for close to garage sale prices. In giving so freely and without any thought of tallying, personal benefit, or expectation of outcome, she is blessed with unusually dear and supportive friends. These close companions respond to her generosity with constant invitations for social and cultural events, dining, and other enjoyable opportunities. She realizes how fortunate she is to have so many loving relationships.

One spiritual concept says that we cannot out-give God. Without intending to, Lisa has activated the benefits from this principle. Blessings return to her in unexpected and diverse ways, and because her actions stem from love and joy, the gifts she receives hold an even higher vibration than the gifts she gives.

How open are you to receiving? What small step could you take today to freely and joyfully give, serve, volunteer or donate without attachment?

Wishing you a very Happy & Joyous Holiday Season!