In the context of Covid-19, may these words sink in and support the giver and receiver within each of us. So many are in need and so many want to give to varying degrees, but it is vital to embrace both at a time like this.

When Giving is Receiving

In giving what may be required is to contemplate a cause, a group or a person -finding the essence of a need or desire.

Through attentiveness and deep caring the giver may surprise the recipient(s) by showing that someone else understands them and through a display of giving virtuosity, can even identify needs they may not have been aware of or could not admit to themselves.

Benefits of Being a Giver

The recipient has the astonishing ability to acknowledge both the somebody who has given and the something that is given to them.

As far as we know, no other corner of creation but a human being has the ability to fully acknowledge the spirit of another in this way.

To give is to take an imaginative journey and put oneself in the body, the mind and the anticipation of another.

To give is to make our own identities more real in the world by committing to something specific in the other person and something tangible that could represent that quality.

To give is also to carry out the difficult task of putting something of our own essence in what we have given.

Giving is a form of attention itself, a way of acknowledging and giving thanks for lives other than our own.

Giving is a“ mutually blessed“ experience.

Peace and well-being,

Paul

Inspired By: “Consolations”by David Whyte