Do things generously for other people.

I recently heard someone encourage a mutual friend to only do things for other people when it feeds her personally.

While I believe the sentiment was to be cautious to only give in healthy ways, not sacrificing in codependency, I don’t think that was the message received. My concern was later confirmed when I saw a post encouraging people to give to their areas of passion. Again, I understand the concept, but it can be received in a way that teaches us to give out of our comfort, as if giving affirms something in us, or serves a need we have, or makes us feel better about ourselves.

I suppose one could argue that giving is giving. No matter the motivation, the end result is someone receives help. And that’s definitely one of the goals, but I prefer to raise the bar.

Giving can come from the core of who you are and have little to do with the why or what and more to do with an identity or characteristic of abundant generosity. Do you give what you have? In other words, do you give yourself? Again, keep in mind I’m referring to healthy giving, not a codependent imitation.

When we give from who we are—unselfishly and unconditionally—the giving regenerates. We give a lot, yet we lose little to nothing, because when giving flows from deep within, any gap is only temporary. As we overflow, the well continues to fill. There’s a living spring within you. When you give yourself away on a surface level, you can’t afford to give. It’s too costly. But when it comes from deep within, you can’t afford not to give.

Giving is essential to refreshing and purifying your life.

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