The Gift to Give

“The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.”
Albert Einstein

During this special Holiday season I thought it would be appropriate to recount an analogy from nature I once read by Dr. Tim Wright. This analogy is about the lowest place on earth, the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea gets its name from the fact that nothing is able to live there except bacteria. Because of the law of gravity, as it is located more than 400 meters below sea level, no water is able to flow out of the Dead Sea. Some water trickles in but never does anything ever flow out. Because the water is stagnant, it literally breeds death and creates a very harsh environment for wildlife to survive. Now contrast this stagnant water to fresh flowing water which gives and receives water freely and nurtures an abundance of life.

During the holiday season we often believe that receiving will somehow make us happy. We believe that the more we can obtain the better. However, we can choose to be like the Dead Sea or like the fresh flowing water. Like the Dead Sea, if we only receive and never give, our hearts can become stagnant and hardened. Indeed, when we refuse to give of our time, of our resources, and of ourselves to others, life around us can die. On the other hand, if we choose during this season (and always) to be like the fresh flowing water which willingly gives, we can in many ways help create life around us. And as the flowing water gives, it in turn receives and everything around it is blessed.

Often times we choose to be like the Dead Sea out of fear. We believe that we must hoard things for fear that there may be a lack of it in the world. Thus we are so scared of running out that we do not give. This “lack of abundance” mentality is ill-conceived. We must not fall in to this trap of believing that if we don’t give then we will have more—this is simply not true. Many studies have proven that those who give receive more. Indeed giving is a universal law that blesses our lives and brings abundance and happiness and this has been illustrated in nature, in the economy, and in everyday life. It is difficult to find a true giver who is not happy, and I dare say that there are none.

Thus, if we want more, we must give more. During this holiday season and always we should be proactive in giving and not worry about receiving as it will be a natural result of our giving. May you and your family find joy in giving during this most wonderful time of year!!