Day14 My Intention Is My Gift

Today I have given with understanding.

I have noticed, as many of you have, that the impact a gift has does not depend on size or monetary value. A gift that is given out of obligation or with the expectation of something in return, even if that something is the expectation of gratitude, is hollow and misses the point of the gift. The real blessing of gift giving is not that it benefits another, but that it allows us to experience within ourselves the love and grace that divine source intends. Something as simple as a handshake can serve as an example. If proffered unconsciously out of social expectation, a handshake can be meaningless. If proffered with the conscious intention of conveying "I am honored and pleased to know you and to have you know me", it can create a meaningful bond and be uplifting.

This morning I made Elliott breakfast and lunch as he was getting ready for school. I do this most days. I'm fully aware that he is capable of doing this for himself as he did during outrigger paddling season when he had to get up at 5:15 am to go to practice before school. (I, sensible being that I am, recognize that arising at 5:15 am is simply not good for my health, well-being, or beauty rest). I am very clear that I do this for him out of love, not obligation and never resentment. I recognize that there are a limited number of days that I will have to show my love for him in this particular way before he is out on his own and I derive immense pleasure out of something as mundane as packing a lunch for him. I realize that the whole time I am doing this, I am experiencing love and in this state, there is no room for negative thoughts or fear or worry or judgment or self-recrimination or.........(fill in the blank).

I have noticed that we all give of ourselves everyday. It's impossible not to. Even by the very act of breathing and exhaling carbon dioxide, we nourish the plants around us. Breathing unconsciously, we are simply ridding our bodies of a waste product. Breathing consciously we are providing the gift of nourishment and sustenance to a precious and vital part of our environment. Either way, the plants are being nourished. The gift of conscious intention is for us to understand our natural place of grace in the world. How would our day-to-day world be transformed if what we gave of ourselves anyway was given with conscious intention as a gift? Services we provide in our jobs; money we spend on food or other resources to support the economy and those around us; preparation of meals, chauffeuring children to athletic practices and games, smiles, handshakes, breathing......

I have continued my 29-day giving challenge from the beginning, even on those days that I didn't post blogs. I have thought of and planned gifts each day and there is particular delight in being able to do that, however, I am now giving gifts in many scenarios in which previously it would have appeared as just me going about my day. I'm finding it isn't so very difficult to give of myself after all.