Giving It Back

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Nothing in nature is here without a reason. That includes us. That includes me. That includes you. We each have a reason for being alive at this place at this time, and that reason is called our personal purpose, or our mission.

Imagine life on earth as a pot luck dinner. What are you bringing to the table? There’s ‘that thing’ that happens. You know … “Oh, nobody told me I was supposed to bring something.” But there you are.

Do you feel like drinking something or grabbing something off the table to eat? Maybe, and who could blame you either way, but what if you do take something? You’ll feel guilty, like “I don’t deserve to take it.”

There’s only so long you can eat that without feeling guilty and undeserving. The same is true for our spiritual lives. In order to truly feel good about receiving, you have to feel good that you are giving. Yes or yes?

The purpose of our lives is to add value to other people; to help them, support them. That extends from your family to the greater human family—or as many people as you can possibly reach. The value you add is your personal way of doing it.

Unfortunately, there’s an element to our culture that encourages people to look out for themselves or only those that are like them. ‘Why should I be responsible for helping others? What are they doing for me? Why not just learn and grow and enjoy ourselves? How ‘bout that for purpose?’

Yeah, that’s great for the ego self, but it’s not how spirit works. Spirit works based on the fact that you’re here for a reason and that you have a place here, and that the world needs you.

Too esoteric? How about this for reason, then? If we go back to the Rule of Opposites, we understand that focusing on how to add value to others—and in that way serving a greater good—can, uh … make you rich!!! The richer you are, the more value you’re adding in some kind of way. That value may be subjective and even distasteful to some, but it’s still there.

There’s the money and success part of it, but what about happiness? It seems counter-intuitive that I can be happy by focusing on how to add values to others. Seems like it becomes about them and not me!

Fulfillment comes in many forms; from material, tactile goodies to reading a great book, but the highest form of fulfillment comes in fulfilling your duty, your dharma, why you were created. You can feel other things, but you cannot feel real fulfillment unless you fulfill your purpose.

All those other things; the money, the toys, the material joys—those follow purpose, not precede it in wanting. Want to add value, and you will reap the rewards.

How have you added value to someone in some kind of way—from saying something kind to an innovative idea you’ve implemented in business? How has the Law of Giving come back to benefit you? There are all kinds of stories about the power of giving. We want to hear yours!