I give because it brings me joy and freedom.
As an adult, I started out giving in a consistent way because that is what was modeled for me and I felt like it was the right thing to do.
The irony is that the more I give the richer I feel.
When I began making My Gigi Dolls, I was at first surprised that I loved making them. I never would have expected that. Truly.
But, the real beauty came when I began giving them away...to a little girl with Down's Syndrome...to military kids....to hospitalized children.
When I give a doll away, I am sending out a little bit of myself - my creativity, my time and my passion - with each doll with no strings attached.
I love the feeling of sending a doll that has been purchased, too, but there is something a little magical in sending something out there to someone you've never met, in hopes that it will bring them a bit of joy.
In all honestly, I'm not an especially selfless person. Remember I said giving brings me joy and freedom? Yep. I get something out of it.
I explained the joy I feel in giving, but what about freedom?
Well, the more I let go of things - not because I should, but because I want to - the freer and more satisfied I am with my life. The times I give when it is difficult for me are the times I am the most blessed.
What prompted this post is that my family and I are in the process of downsizing from an 1800 sq ft, 4 bedroom, 2 car garage home to a 1472 sq ft, 3 bedroom, carport home.
And, I couldn't be happier.
But, I have a LOT to get rid of! At least a 2 car garage and full bedroom worth.
I started out selling things. But, yesterday, I was given an unexpected gift of $110. I gave each of my kids $10 and when they asked me why, I told them that I wanted to bless them because I had been blessed. It was easy for me to part with $30 I hadn't been expecting.
This morning, I thought: I'm going to give away all of the things I've been planning to sell. Because I've been blessed; because giving brings me joy and freedom; because I have what I need today; I will give with no strings attached.
And, I promise you, after I've given away what I no longer have room for, I will feel richer.
This is a more serious (and far less PRETTY) post than usual. And, harder to write, ya know? But, I felt like I needed to put it out there, whether anyone reads it or not.
Since you are reading it, I'd love to know: How has being generous impacted you?
