I just finished reading Gabrielle Bernstein’s book May Cause Miracles: A 40-Day Guidebook of Subtle Shifts for Radical Change and Unlimited Happiness. As with the meditation practice I’ve been doing since November, there are a lot of thoughts and actions around gratitude and how being grateful for what you do have creates positive feelings/energy around you and the people you come in contact with. Expressing gratitude alone can cause a shift in your perception and your reality and seep into the lives of others.
While I’m just starting to explore what all this means from an “energy of the universe” standpoint, I know how it works psychologically. When you’re focused on the things that you’re thankful for, the gifts that you already have rather than what you think you lack, then you feel more positive and you’re more open to notice and receive the opportunities around you. If you’re focused on lack and fear, you’re going to get stuck in negative thought patterns that will block the development of new ideas.
Another huge part of all of the stuff I’ve been reading about and doing is about the power of giving – how we’re here to be of service, to help people, etc. My brain disconnect with this was around the concept that if you want good things to come into your life, you should focus on what you can give to others. For example, if you want more more money, give more money. If you want more love, give more love. Okay, great, but then am I just giving to others to get something good back? That doesn’t feel good. While I want good things in my own life and I genuinely love to help other people, it feels weird to think about the “selfishness” of altruism.
At the same time, when you do give, other people benefit. So how can we give in a way that feels genuine and generous? Sure, when you give you feel better, so in a way you’re always getting when you give, but that also doesn’t really matter does it? Not if you’re genuinely helping another person or organization or something.
That’s what I’m learning to embrace these days – the power of giving, regardless of the uneasy thoughts that may surface around it. I’m being more open to ways that I can help. I’m choosing to give more of myself – my time, my attention, my money, my skills, my love. And I’ve noticed that when I’ve been giving or thinking about giving, things show up in my Facebook feed or email or life situations that offer opportunities for reaching out and being genuinely generous.
Today was one of those times. I’ve started adding this to my journal entries right after I write about what I’m grateful for:
How can I give today?
Today’s opportunity came shortly after I’d scribbled the note in my journal. Single mom and small business owner Serita posted a message in a Facebook group that I’m part of writing about needing some encouragement. She’s trying to raise money to attend Marie Forleo’s B-School to help grow and build her business. People in the group offered some helpful advice for Serita, from words of encouragement, to prayers, to helpful links where she could find business information for free online. And, from what I hear, yes…you can find everything that Marie Forleo teaches online already…but I think that the draw for some people is the networking community around the course and the way that all of the lessons are packaged and presented. I can see why some people would want to sign up rather than dig around online and piece everything together for themselves, especially if they were a relatively new entrepreneur.
So today I am donating to Serita’s goal – her desire to empower women, support her family, and show her daughter what it means to go after what you want in life. For her, the beginning of this journey means being able to attend B-School. I don’t know Serita. Today was actually my first encounter with Serita, as her message just happened to be the first thing that I saw in my Facebook feed. But I know what it feels like to really want to move forward and I’m happy to help her try.
Click here to support Serita’s work or share her fundraising campaign.
Spread the love, you guys! xoxo
P.S. Are you signed up for The Creative Brief? I hope to send the next issue out in a week or two!