Giving from the Heart for the Holidays

With the holidays quickly approaching, take a moment to reflect on your energy and intention behind giving this season. With all the gifts you have yet to buy, the meals you have to make, and the parties you have yet to throw, chances are that you feeling stressed out! Notice if this is the case, and if you have begun feeling a sense of resentment, anger, or aggravation. Giving can take a lot of energy when it is done out of a sense of duty and obligation. Everyone, including you, pays the price when you give from this energy, when giving becomes a "have to."

So, instead of giving out of duty and obligation this winter, choose to give from the heart. Take a moment to connect to the needs behind your giving. Perhaps you have a need for the well-being of your children and neighbors. Perhaps you get a sense of meaning and purpose out of providing a delicious meal for your family. Perhaps you have the deep need to celebrate and play with those closest to you. First connect to what is alive in you and then take action, then head to the mall or the grocery store. Everyone will benefit from this type of giving.

As Marshall Rosenberg, Ph.D., author of Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Compassion says:

"When we give from the heart, we do so out of a joy that springs forth whenever we willingly enrich another person's life. This kind of giving benefits both the giver and the receiver. The receiver enjoys the gift without worrying about the consequences that accompany gifts given out of fear, guilt, shame, or desire for gain. The giver benefits from the enhanced self-esteem that results when we see our efforts contributing to someone's well-being" (Rosenberg, 1999, p.5).