Gifts

You can't give away what you don't have. Most of us are looking to be loved, cared for, and respected. We want people to give these precious gifts to us. However, inside we are afraid, angry, upset, frustrated, and worried. We expect these loving behaviors from people in hopes that we may feel better, but never give any of them away to someone else. That is because we cannot give away what we don't have. If I do not have love, care, respect for myself or others, there is no way for me to recieve it in return. People around me may want to give those things to me, but I cannot see it because my vision is blurred by my anger, my worry, or my frustration. People treat me in that way also, becoming frutrated, angry and worried about me. It is such a self defeating process. The Jesus speaks about it.

"Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn't a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing. You're at least decent to your own children. So don't you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?
"Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God's Law and Prophets and this is what you get. Matthew 7:10-12

What do people want? They want what you want - to be loved, cared for, and respected. Give it to them. Do not get angry and worried that someone did not give it to you first. Let those things come out of you first, grab the initiative! Do that today with everyone you encounter. Grab the initiative to give them the gift of love, care, and respect first. Let it come from you because you have it, those things are inside you. See what comes back in return. Allow God to show you all the good gifts around you when you give away what God has given you instead of expecting it from others.

Namaste'