The Gift of Giving

Like Babara Bush said, everyone has something to give. I appreciate that giving is not the easiest thing especially when it costs us...and believe me there are times when it costs and "hurts" too. Let's start with the "easy" ones.

To me, smiles and hugs seem like the easiest things to give - it's just tough when you're not particularly in the mood to. About smiles, I heard that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile (& it's also more difficult too)...well those sound like good reasons to smile. The best thing about smiling is that "everyone smiles in the same language" (Anonymous). You don't need to know the people you smile at - have you noticed that each time you smile at people, more often than not you get a smile back - even if it is a plastic one. "The act of smiling is a gift that gives a little piece of joy & sunshine to brighten another's day." (Anonymous)      
Smiles go on for miles...purpose to start the "smile tag" each day...pass on your smile.

On to hugs: I love hugs...I give them without thinking sometimes. Hugs are usually a form of greeting between relatives and close friends. (Personally I believe the friends God had given me are "hugs from God"). At other times, a hug just tells the other person, "I care" or "although I don't understand what you're going through, I'm here for you".

Hugs mean different things to different people - and one size fits all. Per the Quote Garden: "a hug is a smile with arms, a laugh with a stronger grip". Start with a smile, it suffices for those you don't know well enough to hug.


What about our ears or shoulders - being a burden bearer? Sometimes all our family/friends (& God) expect from us is being there for them...not saying a word. That's tough too especially when you think the person is off track and you think you have the "one-size-fits-all" solution. Like we said in an earlier piece...knowing when to be silent and actually remaining silent is possible though not very easy.

Think about it, maybe God gave us 2 ears and 2 arms so so we can give empathetic ears, supportive shoulders and heartfelt hugs. It's a gift to give these from your heart to others...

There are so many other things we can give to others - from our homes and wardrobes too. Now that's another day's story...