It is better to give than to receive'. This is not a moralistic precept but a law of nature. By opening oneself to another one will step out of oneself and become a channel of forces of benefit to the other person. This makes for growth.
True giving is a token that evens out boundaries dividing individuals. It is a quality implanted in man's nature. Sharing is an act of recognition that we all are part of the same family of man.
Absolutely. One of my favorite quotes is "A thousand words will not leave so deep an impression as one deed" (Ibsen). Every moment of every day, we (humans) are present with opportunities to give. The essence of a gift is the simply the act itself. Not what is desired/expected in return. I believe that humans are intrinsically good. I agree that it is a quality that we all have. Some people have the potential, while others have actualized. What are the catalysts that leads to this realization? Of course, it's an infinite number of factors. Does it really matter what initiates or motivates? The key is that it's possible --- and that it does happen. Time after time again.
ReplyDeleteI concur, wholeheartedly, Dimitri, and also offer that we can't assume each of us knows how to give, understands what it feels like to give, or even believes we have something worth giving. I think we owe it to our children to teach them to give, to model what giving is and to help them understand that we each have the ability to give no matter our position in life -- age, economic status, education level -- none of that matters. What greater gift can we give than to perpetuate philanthropy towards others. 'Pay it Forward', if you will by teaching the greatest gift -- that of giving. After all, when we give, we get!!
ReplyDeleteTwo quotes I find awesome -- they are practical in the sense they teach and guide clearly the message in developing an understanding for giving.
"I am only one, But still I am one. I cannot do everything, But still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." ~ Helen Keller
"Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love." ~ Lao Tzu
Thank you, and to add:
ReplyDeleteLife is about service, service is to give. Life is about giving all you can to empower subsequent generations and to provide them with a better position in life. To give them a chance to be the better parts of us all.
After all, I haven’t seen a U-Haul follow a hearse yet!