Motivation Mondays: GIVING SEASON #mondaymotivation
“It is in exchanging the gifts of the earth that you shall find abundance and be satisfied. Yet, unless the exchange be in love and kindly justice, it will but lead some to greed and others to hunger.” Khalil Gibran
Motivation Mondays: GIVING SEASON – Symbols #mondaymotivation
Certain actions free your heart of its maladies. The generosity of giving frees you from greed. The gift you can make of yourself each moment frees you from yourself. All that remains, my friend, is what you give. Faouzi Skali
This is how the world was created: everyone must know how to give and and how to receive. Whoever does not know how to do one as well as the other is like a barren tree. Rabbi Yitzchak Aisik, the Hasid
What does GIVING mean to you? Why do you give? People give for all sorts of reasons, and instead of giving the standard cliché, pat answer, it is better to really think about why we give. As I gathered material for this post, it struck me that giving is not just about giving alms to those in need. It is also about giving our gifts, talents, and skills to uplift others; giving to ourselves, our loved ones, and those around us; giving to our community, our country, and the world. If we ponder the philosophy of giving, it becomes clear that giving and receiving are intertwined. As we open ourselves and our hearts to give, we open the door to receive too.
Why do YOU give? Not just your charitable giving; why do you give of your time, your knowledge, and yourself? I checked the date, and today was the day, in 1877, when Edison shared his gift of the phonograph with the world. As an inventor, he gave so much to make our lives a bit better, and we still enjoy his gifts today. This is also Cotton Candy, International Aviation and Letter Writing Day, and we can think about those who gave us their everlasting, creative gifts by inventing planes, pens, and even paper. Hanukkah – the festival of lights- lasts for 8 days; on each day, small gifts are given to family members to honor this joyous celebration of the miracle of light, faith, and community. Giving is a blessing that benefits both the giver and the receiver; it helps us all. If we think about the bigger picture of giving, we might appreciate its tremendous value to all, and how it sustains our planet and beyond. Think about the questions in this post and read the quotes too… What about giving and receiving resonates with you?
A Story: Be Present To Give & Receive
Once, when Zen master Bankei was about to leave a temple in the capital where he taught from time to time, a gentleman came and asked the master to postpone his departure. A certain baron had a question and wanted to see the Zen master in person on the morrow to resolve it. Bankei assented and put off leaving.
The next day, however, the gentleman came again, this time with a message that the baron had urgent business to attend to and could not come to see the master. The baron had asked the gentleman to relay his question to Bankei, then report the Zen master’s answer back to him. When he heard the gentleman out, Bankei said, “This matter of Zen is difficult to convey even by direct question and direct answer; it is all the more difficult to convey by messenger.” The Zen master said nothing more. Speechless, the gentleman withdrew and departed. Source: Zen Antics Via Zen Stories on Goodweb.cn
“Giving is unique to human beings. It is one of the traits that radically distinguishes us from the animal world. Charity is thus a line of demarcation between the humanity that inhabits us and the animality that possesses us.” Philippe Yacine Demaison
Motivation Mondays: GIVING SEASON – Symbols #mondaymotivation
Motivation Mondays: GIVING SEASON – Symbols #mondaymotivation
Go to your fields and your gardens, and you shall learn that it is the pleasure of the bee to gather honey of the flower, But it is also the pleasure of the flower to yield its honey to the bee. For to the bee a flower is the fountain of life, And to the flower a bee is a messenger of love, And to both, bee and flower, the giving and the receiving of pleasure is a need and an ecstasy… Khalil Gibran
How does giving make you feel? Why do you give to some and not to others? Even if we don’t admit it, we feel a sense of joy, gratitude, and even pride when we give. Yes, some say, give and forget about it. True. You should give without expectation, but we do have a certain expectation when we give. What do you expect? Appreciation? A thank you? A smile? A plaque with your name on it? Regardless of how you perceive your giving approach and attitude, an observer witnesses our giving, and that observer rejoices in our generosity.
As Khalil Gibran says above, “…the giving and the receiving of pleasure is a need and an ecstasy.” When we give cheerfully, we feel our spirit soar with delight, and we get as much pleasure from it as the receiver. By the same token, when we give begrudgingly, we feel the twinge and even resentment that comes from giving with a partial heart. We are in the giving season, and our motivation to help others is higher, especially those in need. But do you give freely to all? Why to some and not to others? What makes it easier for you to give, and what stands in the way when you are reluctant to give? Think about it and then remember that … to err is human and to forgive is divine.
Giving Chapter V by Khalil Gibran
Then said a rich man, “Speak to us of Giving.”
And he answered:
You give but little when you give of your possessions.
You truly give when you give of yourself.
For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow?
And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the over-prudent dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city?
And what is fear of need but need itself?
Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, thirst that is unquenchable?
There are those who give little of the much which they have – and they give it for recognition, and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.
And there are those who have little and give it all.
These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty.
There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.
And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism.
And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue;
They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.
Though the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth.
It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding;
And to the open-handed, the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving
And is there aught you would withhold? Khalil Gibran via Poemhunter.com: Giving Chapter V
Motivation Mondays details are below. Join in! The themes for November and December are:
11/02 – LEGACY/REMEMBRANCE – All Souls/All Saints Day (11/1)
11/09 – HONORING VETERANS – Veterans Day (11/11) &
11/16 – HONORING ALL/OUR CHILDREN – Universal Children’s Day/World Children’s Day (11/20) & Great American Smokeout Day (11/19)
11/23 – GIVING THANKS – Thanksgiving Day! (11/26)
11/30 – REVISIT KINDNESS – World Kindness Day (11/13)
12/07 – GIVING SEASON – 6th Chanukah for 8 days, 7th International Civil Aviation Day, Letter Writing Day, National Cotton Candy Day, Pearl Harbor Day. On this day in 1877- Thomas Edison shows off his new invention, the phonograph
12/14 – AWARENESS – Poinsettia Day, International Children’s Day (12/12,13 & 12/15) & Bill of Rights Day
12/21 – HOLIDAY SPIRIT – Winter Solstice (shortest day of the year), Festivus!, Christmas, Kwanzaa (12/12,13 & 12/15)
12/28 – THE JOURNEY – National Fruitcake Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve (12/27, 28 & 31)
More Below!
“The fulfilled man exists in a permanent and natural way; a harmonious balance between his relationship with the infinitely small and the infinitely large; in other words, with the microcosm and the macrocosm.” Khaled Bentounes
Motivation Mondays: GIVING SEASON – Symbols #mondaymotivation
Remember that you are not alone in this world. You depend on a thousand creatures that sustain the fabric of your life. The mirror of your heart is permeated with a multitude of images. Your soul is like a feather carried by the winds. But much more is still needed before you see yourself as you are. Faouzi Skali
And what desert greater shall there be, than that which lies in the the courage and the confidence, nay the charity, of receiving. Khalil Gibran
How motivated are you to increase your giving this season? Just as you receive the gift of breath every day without charge, extend your open hand to others. If you make time for yourself, make time to help someone else. Remember that giving of your time is as valuable as any other gift you can muster. Give freely and encourage others to do the same. Step out of the way when you are not ready to give, and don’t discourage others from their benevolence. Be as open to receive as you are to give; the blessing is there for all. I added the story about the “Dog in the Manger” because envy and selfishness are qualities that can deter us from giving freely. The dog doesn’t care about the hay, but he fights to prevent those who need it- cows and horses- from reaching it. How do we stand in the way of others receiving their due? We do it in subtle and obvious ways by withholding information and favors. Choose this season to set aside pettiness and give.
A Story: The Lesson of The Dog In The Manger
People often begrudge others what they themselves cannot enjoy. Even though it does them no good, they won’t let others have it. Listen to a fable about such an event. A wicked dog was lying in a manger full of hay. When the cattle came and wanted to eat, the dog barred their way, baring his teeth. The cattle said to the dog, “You are being very unfair by begrudging us something we need, which is useless to you. Dogs don’t eat hay, but you will not let us near it.” The fable shows that it is not easy to avoid envy; with some effort you can try to escape its effects, but it never goes away entirely.’ Steinhöwel‘s Esopus (c.1476) via Wikipedia
As we gear up for the holiday season, let us not forget all the families in need, families hurting, and those who have lost lives/loved ones around the world. Happy Holiday Season!
Positive Motivation Tip: This is Giving Season, and we can contribute to others’ upliftment in many ways, directly and indirectly.
Motivation Mondays is open to anyone who wishes to share a motivational quote, photo, personal challenge, or a post that encourages others to start the week on an upbeat note.
Basic Instructions: Each week, I will have a Motivation word to help us create a response. (See listed words for the months above/below)
Email address: You may email or share your post as a comment, and I will add it to the round-up of related posts. email it to: contact(@)mirthandmotivation(.)com
Category tag: – Share your post using Motivation Mondays
Twitter hashtag: – Use this on Twitter #MotvnM
Dedicated Page: There is a dedicated page for Motivation Mondays. It has the same instructions and will include other helpful tools and a link to the round-up
Facebook Page: MotivationOnMondays. Join our page and add your post and/or any motivational piece you think will be helpful to others.
Facebook Community: We have a Facebook community forum to complement the page. It’s another way to share uplifting posts and thoughts. Please join in and add your voice.
Badge: – I created a fun badge using PicMonkey’s free photo editing tools. You can create your own, use WordPress’s integrated tool on your blog, or use mine. (see dedicated page)
Tag: – Motivation Mondays
Hashtag: – #MotvnM
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PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: Stories via Zen Stories on Goodweb.All Photos: Edison Phonograph, lamp for Hanukkah, Eating Cotton Candy, Letter Writing by Philippe-Jacques van Brée, Paper Crane, Aviation- Farewell Spit, Saturn’s Rings, Dog in a Manger, Santa and his sleigh, via Wikipedia and/or my Personal Collection
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
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I was taught from an early age that it’s better to give than to receive and I’ve always kept that close to my heart. I taught my kids to be givers and not takers and now my grandkids are being taught to give, too.
It is definitely a time to give. I love helping others this time of year.
I would love to increase my giving. Unfortunately right here at Christmas my son is having surgery and my dh just had to get a crown. I can give my time though! Great post.
What a beautiful post. It really made me examine what my motivations are for giving… It reminds me that genuine giving has more to do with the receiver and not the giver. – Jerusha, TheDisneyChef.com
Wonderful post…It is so important to stop and reflect especially during this time of the year in order to truly appreciate the season.
I love the fable about the dog in the manger. It’s definitely important not to let envy keep you from giving.
I have felt myself in a huge giving mood this year! It’s been great to include my son in some giving opportunities
I give because I like to believe people who receive help will be willing to give help when the occasion(s) comes.
Gift giving is an individual preference and no one should feel shamed because of their choice to participate or not. Our family stopped giving “things” as gifts long ago. We instead exchange experiences or services, ie salon, oil change, cooking classes, and trips.
The art of giving was a huge lesson for me. Many time we give with the expectation of getting something back. Now, if I can’t give without a second’s hesitation, I’m not doing it. That’s my perspective.
Giving means to be nice to others.
Giving for me is not just about gifts. It’s about sharing and loving others, extending help or even lending a helping hand when needed. For me, this is the true spirit of the season.
great story you always share very nice thoughts for getting us motivated to start the week thank you!
For me, giving should come from the heart not for the sake of seeing you give something to people. This Christmas, I want to be a blessing to other people because God has been so good to me. Although there are tough times, I consider everything as gift from God. Happy Holidays!
The holiday season is definitely time to give. I love to give back to the community.
I love giving during the holidays. I always give back to the community.
I love these photos and this time of year! It truly is so much more fun to give away than to receive <3
I make a point of working with my family on charity during the Holidays especially. Better to give than receive
I hope that we should always remember the real reason that there is a Christmas to celebrate. Share our blessings, help someone in need, and spread the love!
Great read- thank you for putting things into perspective.
I’m glad you mentioned giving of your time too. There’s no one right way to give. It’s important that you do it from the heart though!
Very timely my dear!
Uplifting and relaxing to read
I think that it is soooo important to give. time to remember the big picture!
Great post as always. I would like to believe that folks care more about giving than receiving and that it’s most important to help the most needy this time of year.
I always like to surprise a friend with a present who isn’t expecting it. I pick a new person each year.
-Jessica
I give because there is so much need out there and I am so blessed. That is how I show my appreciation.
giving is something that needs to be done every day of the year
I love this. Giving is such a wonderful thing because it blesses everyone involved.
This is the season of giving, but it shouldn’t be only this time of year; it should be year-round. Giving back is my way of thanking the blessings I have received; it’s such a nice feeling to give.
Tatanisha
Reading your post just gave me such a boost of motivation! You have so much happiness going on in one spot, I LOVE IT! Thanks for sharing.
I love how happy this post makes me! I thought I was a motivational individual, but that was before I read your post! You’ve given me a great boost of happiness! Thanks for sharing.
Giving will sound like to music to anyone’s ears. It’s good but we must not forget to give from our hearts and to give only what we can. There are people who take advantage of the goodness that others show them.
I am motivated, and its always good to give to those in need even when it it not a holiday.
Christmas Day is Love and it’s time to give love, giving season make us feel appreciated and feel loved.
This is a great post! I love the story of the dog and the cow. It teaches us not to be selfish.
Very inspiring. Your posts are always so motivational and thought provoking. It is nice to read positive posts that encourage others to put more good in the world.
Great insight into giving. Giving cheerfully is the key!
I feel like humans are conditioned to give in the sense that we give to our family and friends- time, resources etc. on a daily basis. There are so many forms of giving. I feel like small acts of kindness are all around us if we look. Larger ones too.
giving of your time is so important but giving in general is good. yes, a thank you is nice when you give but when you get upset over not getting a thank you then it would seem like you were giving expecting a thank you but when we give just to give there shouldn’t be expectations
I had forgotten all about the fable behind the expression “dog in the manger” 🙂
Kahlil Gibran is really wise on his quotes. Giving is something we get more of when we do it
It definitely is a wonderful time to give. Although I say it doesn’t matter when or what time of the year it is, a little generosity is always a good idea. There’s no right or wrong time to give.
I agree giving is the best thing that humanity can do. Giving is better than receiving.
It’s definitely the season for giving. Thank you for the reminder I think it’s so easy to get stuck in the commercial side of Christmas and forget this.
If there is something I give willingly, it is time. I feel it is precious and I feel I was quite generous of my time for family and friends this year. For this season, somebody already sent me gift- a delicious fruit from her backyard.
Christmas and this time of year should be about giving… and being grateful I think over time we have forgotten that a little… it’s such a fun time of year
I much prefer giving over receiving. It does make me feel good. I tend to give to the beggars on the street quite often.
I give because I love giving to others. I love everything about giving. It makes others smile and you! There is never a regret!
I love this. Giving is unique to our species. Giving is part of who we are as human beings. We love to come to others’ aid and help them. We love to make each other happy through gifts of words and love. I think gifts should be personalized and not commercialized. Thanks for sharing. My post for the Christmas and holiday roundups is a whole series.
I love this. Such a perfect time to talk about giving. I haven’t read any Khalil Gibran in ages. It’s good to be reminded of it.
I think it’s very important to give all the time, not just during the holidays! Thank you for your lovely, positive, and inspirational blog!
Giving is really better than receiving, as long it is sincerely done. It should give you a high when you wholeheartedly give and do not expect anything back.
Giving makes me feel great. It gives me sense of existence. 🙂 In fact we have a giving project for this Christmas season. I could relate to this article.
It’s really fun to receive gifts especially during the holidays. But there’s a better feeling that we experience when we give gifts to other people.
It is a season of giving, and giving is much more important then receiving. The most important thing during the Holiday is the gift of love kids and family brings.
I usually send my family back home some money for their Christmas shopping.
I’m very motivated to give more this season. I’ve had such an amazing year, and want to give back as much as I can to those that are important to me
I love the lesson of the story of the dog and the manger.
This is a beautiful post and the writings of Khalil Gibran are incredible and so inspiring and wise. I do believe that true giving benefits both the person who gives and the person who receives and the loveliest people I know are generous with their time and their kindness.
You are speaking my mind! I find it insane how people get angry over issues that don’t affect them.
This year for the holidays, we aren’t giving ‘gifts’. We don’t need anything, so we’re giving experiences and time together instead!
Whenever I give, I don’t expect something in return, a smile and thank you is also enough to know that my gift is appreciated.
a saying goes, it’s better to give than to receive. 🙂 especially now that christmas is fast approaching. 🙂 For me giving and not expecting something in return is such a good thing. Better blessings are yet to come to those who give.
I give from my place of abundance only – and doing that makes me feel wonderful as there are no strings attached and no expectation of return. 🙂
I give because it makes me feel good. I get excited that others may be helped by my efforts.
I always feel so good after I’ve given and I don’t give to get anything back at all. It’s a good feeling knowing that you did something selflessly.
Giving of ourselves, no matter the season, is always a good gesture!
beautiful pictures. Giving sometimes is all we can do to bring joy…to give of ourselves…not out of our excess, but in true generosity…to give of ourselves.
I love giving presents to family and friends during Christmas season. If budget permits, I also give to our building security guards and to my son’s school bus operator/driver/conductor. It’s my way of making these people feel special and thanking them for whatever good they’ve done for us the whole year. There is joy in giving.
In this season of giving, I make sure that I make at least one person happy. I do my Christian duty of reaching out to a street child, giving him/her a hot meal and a small gift. It is my way of sharing my blessings with the less fortunate.
I just heard someone say that there’s always time to give. If you give with love. That is so true.It’s the love that makes the giving worth while, and easy, and you don’t have to know a person to have a love of being able to help or gift something to him or her. And not all gifts are tangible, so every every every one can give. 🙂
It’s always a wonderful feeling to be able to give to others.
I like to give more than to receive. I get this certain kind of joy when I see other people smile or when I see them happy because of something that I gave. People though should not take advantage.
Beautiful post! It is so important to stop and reflect on the idea of giving.
We save the full year and do what we can to help people that need it. It is a christmas tradition in our house.
wow the story of the dog on the hay is so relatable and yet it is such a simple & short story. giving is so important but giving without expectations is very crucial
Holidays season is a time people remember giving. Extending self to others less fortunate. Gratitude does not always have to be monetary. Time spend listen or sharing a walk with a teen can be rewarding. This season share your time.
I need to look at my motives when it comes to giving. Great points.
I love being able to give. I once read a quote that said pour your own cup first before you give it away, and it really is true. I feel like my husband and I are finally in a place where our cup runs over and we can give back, in donating food, and clothing, toys, and donating to charities we trust. It makes the world go round and makes us realize what we really need and what we don’t need.
I give because I have been given so much and I want to share what I have
I find that the more I give, the more I receive. So being selfish like that – I just keep giving whatever and whenever I can. 🙂
It truly is the season of giving. We partake in gving warm coats and supplies to homeless. And do a soup kitchen volunteering
It’s the perfect time to give back ! Spread the love
Giving covers a big scope it could be giving tangible and intangible products. But most important is that we give with our free heart and mind without expecting anything in return.
I believe that the best attribute that I can teach my child is to share and be giving. Sharing is not juat for material thinga but also giving our trust and kindness is also inportant
The story of the dog in the manger is a good reminder this time of year. We should all share what we have with those that need.
I love to give than expect to receive anything in return. It is such a great feeling when you give. We must practice this not only this Christmas season but everyday if e have the chance.
Gift-giving, specially during Christmas has become a tradition.
Such an inspiring post. Thanks for sharing dear.
It’s truly the time of giving this Holiday Season! May you have a blessed one! 🙂
The more you give the more blessings you receive 🙂
But its not about receiving the blessings but its all about on helping with our hearts to others.
Giving means giving a portion of yourself to someone.
Holiday Spirit is totally within, the spirit of giving is not only express this holiday season but throughout the year. Merry Christmas Sis
Thank you for sharing these thoughts!
Happy New Year! Wow, I haven’t been able to read this last month. That’s how busy December was. Happy New Year!
I wish more people around the world would have the heart to be giving — to charity, to friends and family in dire need of help. Giving is not limited to financial aspects. Giving one’s time, or skills, or ideas to help others are as valuable as financial help.
There are so many still in need. It is so overwhelming to see people smile and thankful for what you’ve done. Give without any expectation. Giving is something I try to teach others.
I love reading about this topic and your article is so interesting! I love giving because of the feeling you get when you see your actions cause someone so much joy. I love that by giving we can directly positively impact someone’s happiness. Thank you for sharing your insights!
amazing post thank you for sharing.
Very entertaining read for this time of year. While we don’t ever give actual presents in my family or with friends, we always give the gift of time.
We always loved contributing to Habitat for Humanity on the holidays. We felt like we were giving up to a family who needed a home. <3 Happy holidays to you!
Giving is not a season for me. It’s a lifestyle and I try my best to give in any way I can on the daily!
I love the reminder that giving benefits both receiver and giver. So many give, but are reluctant to receive. Both are necessary for balance, and community.
During this time of the year it is the only time that I give presents without even thinking about it.
Giving on other days and other celebrations shouldn’t just be because the special day makes you obligated to. You should always think and express out of the kindness of your heart and it should be a reflection of who you are as a person.
Wow! Love this post. So many reasons and reminders on why to give. It is so important.
I love winter festivities! i know everyone celebrates differently and has their different traditions and customs. I think it’s inspiring to see everyone giving and sharing the light, laughter and love they have with others.
Personally, I like giving because I can see the joy or happiness in someone else. It’s what makes a lot of things worth it, like when you buy Christmas gifts. You tend to spend more time on gifts if you know the person could actually truly appreciate what you give, rather than someone who wouldn’t really care about your thoughtfulness.