The Law of Giving.

The Law of Giving:

The universe operates through dynamic exchange...giving and receiving are different aspects of the flow of energy in the universe.

And in our willingness to give that which we seek, we keep the abundance of the universe circulating in our lives.


Source:

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra

There is no Christmas without Christ.

When choosing a gift this Holiday Season, try asking yourself what the true meaning of Christmas is and then give accordingly. Remember, there is no Christmas without Christ.

The definition of the word "gift" from YourDictionary.com is...

something given to show friendship, affection, support, etc.; present
the act, power, or right of giving
a natural ability; talent a gift for languages

This season, there are more people in need than ever. When thinking of giving your child an expensive Wii, or Ski Passes for Snow Bird, think of the gift that will teach them about giving instead. Would they love those expensive gifts? Yes. But, wouldn't they love to be able to give to others just as much?

"Giving Circles are a form of philanthropy consisting of groups of individuals who pool their funds and other resources to donate to their communities and seek to increase their awareness and engagement in the process of giving. Through this process, they seek to impact their own communities or larger areas - including to have global impacts. The circles can serve as a form of shared, or collective, giving in the context of community economic development or other social ventures." -- Wikipedia

If you feel that you would like to do both, that is, give the expensive gifts and teach giving at the same time, there are many charities and shelters that could use service. Your entire family (age appropriate) could give time to your local charities and shelters. What a great lesson in giving!

"Members of giving circles donate their own money or time to a pooled fund, decide together where to give these away, and often have some sort of social or educational interaction associated with the giving. Many circles, in addition to donating their money, also contribute their time and skills to supporting local causes. Donations may range from spare change to thousands of dollars each year.

Giving circles as they currently manifest themselves are a new trend, but they are built on old traditions dating back hundreds of years to mutual aid societies and other forms of giving for the community. Several years ago, giving circles were predominantly composed of women. Women continue to make up the majority of today's giving circles - but today the make up of circles are more diverse in race, age and gender." -- Wikipedia

You may have church charities to give time and resources to, or you may choose to help the troops. Either way, the gift of giving is the best gift you could choose to give this holiday season.

When choosing a gift, try asking yourself what the true meaning of Christmas is and then give accordingly. Remember, there is no Christmas without Christ.

To find out more about the true meaning of Christmas, please click on this link... click here.

Give Time. Show Love.

I have not written a post in quite a few days. I have become quite busy with school beginning and my complete immersion in my community affairs. Quite a total difference from having been chronically ill with Lyme disease for at least 8 years. Life is truly amazing and I love everything I am now able to become involved in.

Since I have been gaining health stamina over the past few months, I have chosen a path which requires giving much of my time to community volunteerism. One lesson I have learned from this involvement is that it is therapy in and of itself. It takes you away from your small worries and allows you to become aware and helpful in solving the larger concerns. It takes you from the "cave" or small amount of living (on survival mode) while ill to seeing a grand picture in which you can make a difference and take part in the "thing" called "life".

"When you show love, you are showing God to the world." --Joel Osteen, "Become A Better You"

"Learn to be good to people. That's one of the best witnesses we can possibly have...The world does not need to hear another sermon nearly as much as it needs to see one. Learn to give your time, your money, and encouraging word; meet a need. When you show love, you are showing God to the world.

"Don't worry about if you don't get credit...When you let somebody in traffic in front of you, you many never see that person again. When you give somebody twenty dollars simply because you felt compassion in your heart, you may never hear back from them. That's okay; God is keeping the records. He sees every act of kindness you show. He sees every time you are good to somebody. He hears every encouraging word you speak. God has seen all the times you went out of your way to help somebody who never said thank you. Your good deeds do not go unnoticed by Almighty God."

Joel Osteen explains in his book that giving and being kind to others helps you. That is not being selfish. That is reaping the rewards of the seeds you have sown. Life is amazing and should never be taken for granted. We all live on this earth for such a short time. What will you do for someone today?

"I Stand All Amazed"

I Stand All Amazed
“193: I Stand All Amazed,” Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, no. 193


I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

Text and music: Charles H. Gabriel, 1856–1932

Mosiah 3:5–8

John 15:13

Holiday Gifts...Think About It

Wallets are bound to be much tighter and lighter this season, or at least in many cases they should be at least tighter. Therefore, this week I've decided to make the theme of my blog revolve around giving from the heart, instead of so much from the wallet.

I've found many great resources for gift giving this season, that for my family will come in handy due to our unemployment situation.

Two original ideas...

...put together a small scrapbook for a close relative that you have spent a great deal of time with. This will mean so much when they realize that you have cherished the time with them and have taken your time to share the memories.

...give a computer-printed gift certificate (not from a store or restaurant) for a candlelight dinner for two, homemade at their home, with you cleaning up afterward. The dinner could be for your parents, grand-parents, siblings and their spouses, etc. Place the certificate in an envelope and then into a shirt-box with tissue and wrap it. They'll love that you want them to have time together and that you are willing to do the work to make it happen.

Here are some great sites with awesome ideas that fit into most budgets and are more personal than many gifts given during the season.

Alternatives...buy nothing christmas...
http://www.buynothingchristmas.org/alternatives/index.html

Inexpensive, Creative and Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas
http://www.newdream.org/holiday/giftideastaff.php

Not Sold In Stores; Ways to Save Money, Protect the Planet, and Spread Cheer
http://www.newdream.org/newsletter/notsold.php

I hope that the above links give you some ideas to make this Christmas easier on your wallet, more personal for those receiving your gifts, and more rewarding in your giving experience.

Have a great day!

Give. Serving Our Fellow Men...Equivalent To Serving Our God

What a great country we live in, this great United States of America, that we have the freedom to practice our religion.

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Sunday is a day of rest from our weekly schedule of work. Today is a day that we reserve for worshipping our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

My thoughts for today are to give you inspiring words from both The Holy Bible and from The Book of Mormon as inspiration for this, the week of the U.S. Thanksgiving Holiday celebration.

Short Summary: Serving our fellow men is equivalent to serving our God.

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The Holy Bible

Mathew 25:34-40

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

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The Book of Mormon

Mosiah 2:16-17

King Benjamin, quoted by Mormon

16 Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.

17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

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Short Summary: Serving our fellow men is equivalent to serving our God.

My Goal this week is to keep these inspiring words with me in my thoughts and actions, no matter my own circumstances.

If I don't have substance to give to others, I will give a hug, give a compliment, give a smile, give a thoughtful prayer for their well being. There is always something to give. There is always someone in need of receiving. I am blessed by giving.

May you be blessed this Thanksgiving Holiday and have that you may give to others of your substance or of yourself selflessly as there are so many in need of receiving this holiday season.