“In the end, all that you will have is all that you gave away.”
By: Martin Grunburg
Not coincidentally, we wind up nearly right where we started weeks ago in our G.R.O.W.I.N.G. Goal Achievement Series. You may recall we began with Gratitude (the first “G”), and today we finalize our series with another “G”: the important idea and principle of Giving back!
Giving back is more than just something we ought to consider doing “once in a while,” and it’s too important to become a “someday I’ll . . .” idea or event. Giving back ought to be a habit — an ingrained, powerful and routine practice that is rooted upon the timeless principle of energy, flow or chi.
When you think about it, all that we “have” is a gift, bestowed by others. Even if you worked your ass off, it’s ALL been given to you. Beginning fundamentally with the very life you “have.”
Typically, when people think of charity and “giving back,” it’s purely a monetary exchange, some sort of charitable gift or donation. Often, though, the very best type of giving (meaning the MOST rewarding for the giver) is the GIFT of oneself, that is, your time and talents!
“What is the essence of life? To serve others and to do good.” ~Aristotle
“The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.” – Albert Schweitzer
It’s also no coincidence (from my experience, anyway) that those who give the most tend to have the most to give.
Interesting, isn’t it?
If for some reason you don’t fully believe or subscribe to this powerful idea and the practice of constant giving, please refer to the previous post, “Being Nice” and perhaps more importantly, the podcast player at the bottom (BIG Pie vs SMALL Pie).
Another powerful yet often overlooked term for money is “currency,” rooted in the idea and Latin term “currens.”
This, from the online etymology dictionary:
1650s, “condition of flowing,” from Latin currens, present participle of currere “to run” (see current (adj.)); the sense of a flow or course extended 1699 (by John Locke) to “circulation of money.”
So, when you’re out attacking your goals, it’s helpful to recognize that beneath all of your frenetic energy (you are, after all, swimming on the surface) there are powerful undercurrents of energy at play.
The giving — your giving — is where the flow of life and the purpose of life will intersect at the great, GIVING RIVER. This is a river, of course, that has no beginning and no end. Think about it; if it did, where would it start and where would it end?
Finally, to bring this home (and not to be morbid), even in your death you return yourself to nature and the universe as minerals and nutrients to help other organisms survive.
Since you can’t take anything with you, in the end, all that you’ll really have is all that you gave away! The beauty is this: Just like any habit, you can start developing the habit of giving right away. (Yes, there’s an app for that ; )
Give-on!
~mg