We all had it - REMEMBER?
The need to share.
As children,
The wish to GIVE.
The need.
The willingness to offer what we had,
was automatic.
We cheerfully split our:
organic snacks (ok, they weren't called organic in my day...)
new toys
a turn on the swings or monkey bars
cool clothes
a sleeping bag
sand shovel
love
and sometimes even a kiss
Remember when you weren’t afraid of getting dirty or
looking silly?
Remember
when we didn’t label ourselves, nevermind anyone else. "good" or "bad?"
REMEMBER?!!
We didn’t have the fear that now causes us to withhold.
We weren’t so obsessed with how we looked or
questioned whether we're happy.
We lived in the present moment.
We accepted who we were.
We gave freely
easily
readily.
We were selfless.
We didn’t focus on being ahead of the curve or the Joneses.
What happened?
What shifted?
And when?
How?
Where did we become SO attached to the very things we hold onto so tightly - despite how infrequently we actually use them?
I believe it’s because we no longer relate to people outside of our circle, our comfort zone, our economics.
We don’t see those who don’t have.
We lost the connection in the warmth of our socio-younameit levels.
It’s no one’s fault.
Nothing to be ashamed of, not really.
It’s because of the natural tendency to lean into the comfortable.
I'm asking you to simply be aware there are those “out there.”
People who are starting over.
For whatever reason-
Women Coming out of York County Jail who have no job, place to live, no toothbrush.
Kids at the Teen Center who’re food deprived.
Men from Rehab who don't have a home.
Pets needing food, litterbox, a bed, security of a leash and collar.
I know you’ve heard about them before; those that need, want, deserve, who yearn for better times.
It’s so simple, once you begin to give, offer-up, free yourself of your excess.
It’s feels so good helping others. Actually a relief.
I simply want to re-create the consciousness.
It takes beginning, like a new diet, workout routine, meditation practice, starting school after the summer off, a new job, driving a different car, learning to knit.
It takes practice.
Let go of “This can’t be true! We don’t have those situations in the US! Certainly NOT in Portland, ME!!
No.
No!
You believe you can't go on without that very special thing you bought or got as a gift in that very momentous time in your life. Even though that time has passed and you’ve gotten beyond it and onto other accomplishments, you suffer in the thought of letting it go. Like photos of you and an ex-lover.
If you really consider the fear, you can understand the fact that they are the very things that keep you from realizing other dreams. Preventing you from stretching and growing your Best Self.
If you allow that thing to release, you gain the space to encourage different, even better things in your life, perhaps even other relationships that serve you to try new things.
I want to introduce the seed of compassion. You have something to offer to the greater community. I promise.
She doesn’t know if she’s going to have a bed when she gets out of jail. I met her, she's scared. Afraid if she won't make it, she'll end up right back THERE. I certainly wouldn't want that for her, nor do you. 'Cause then she can't be the best example for those in her life who count on her, depend upon her, need, and love her.
This is a profoundly easy invitation to bring voluntary simplicity in your life, by helping those on the lower end of the social ladder.
When I don’t have the conviction to get rid of something I’m attached to, I allow the memory of someone I helped in the past, be the reason for tossing it in the donation box.
Stretching and growing yourself into a new routine is worth it.
It is far easier to get support, yet, just like any other DIY project, it's not impossible to create this routine on your own.
Doubt is a Killer partner. We’re very deeply engrained in our materialistic culture. A bit of uncertainty is encouraged because it means you are getting to the depth of your character. You are dealing with the things that bubble to the surface, that have to be sifted in order to move forward. Our minds become busy with regret, disappointments, lost loves, fantasies and a future vision we can’t let go of.
The best response is to become gentle with yourself and call in HELP. Catching the emotions before they become overwhelming is best, or you end up giving up, stuffing everything back in the recesses of the closet and going about your life.
A habit of what I call Collaborative Consumption. It’s one of the principal poisons called sentimentality.
I’m not here to judge, because I have a lot too - mostly jewelry. And need the constant reminder that there are those who have NOT.
In a sharing economy, we can feel good about what we’ve been able to buy in the past and what we can now turn over to another because we have a "compulsion to buy" society.
Choose to make a difference, I promise you it will come back tenfold when you declare yourself an Authentic Gifter.
My idea of happiness is making a difference and speaking to other’s about it. I'm all about the individual who can turn the pain of separation into the JOY of Giving!
Come with me, in the next few weeks, to learn how to be the Gifter...stay tuned!