" Gifting ... "

" ... It's funny how it starts, just how it all begins
You get your sights on dreams, and man a thousand different things
You are on for yourself, you're chasing cool desire
You get addicted fast, but man you're playin' with fire

Then there's a day that comes to you
When you get all you want, but there's a space inside that's still as empty as it was
'Till an angel comes your way and man she's fallin fast
You know she's so in need but she is to afraid to ask

So you hold on out your hands and catch her best you can
And in givin' love you feel a better man

And the gift is what you get by givin' more than you receive
And you're learnin' fast that maybe this is how you'll be happy
'Cause in takin' everything you lost, the air you need to breath
But in givin' it away, you found the precious thing you see ... "

 

~ Blue ~ The Gift ~

***

Purchasing the perfect gift, tis the season … the practice of giving extends to all forms of giving.  Yet I believe there is no separation from givers, receivers or gifts.  I believe all of life is always giving and receiving at the same time. 

Yet, if a gift is not in material form, is it still a gift?  Can the gift of listening, the gift of love, the gift of creation, the gift of attention and the gift of effort satisfy?  Is that too easy, too simple, too trivial to be considered a gift …

There can be a few ways to practice unconditional giving … giving the gift of kindness, compassion and generosity … giving fully and without reservation the gift of your presence and respect.

My spiritual teacher told us recently that if you needed something you would have it … therefore if you don’t have it, you don’t need it … simple to consider but not so simple to practice.  Because we are told how, why, when and where to buy that special gift for that special someone … can your presence then simply be enough …. Yes!

Gifting those that have - have everything.  Have everything … everything they have.  Something to consider when fighting the crowds for a parking spot, or a sale item, or the latest gadget, or the newest trend.  Because you are enough and you always have been.  Realizations set in that you cannot buy love and friends.  You just need to be … be real and be present.  Gifting is a beautiful gesture if there are no strings attached … unconditional gifting.

And there it is … the gift is within YOU!

Do we give from the heart or give to get the best reaction … do we give because we love or give to win them over … questions best to be considered in stillness, where the answers are always available.  Regardless of your gifting choices, most of us know the more you give the more you receive as the opportunity is the gifting itself.

" Close To Me ... "

I've waited hours for this,

I've made myself so sick,

I wish I'd stayed asleep today 

I never thought this day would end,

I never thought tonight could ever be

This close to me ...

But if I had your face,

Then I could make it safe and clean 

If only I was sure,

That my head on the door,

Was a dream

~ The Cure ~ Close To Me ~

***

Gifts come in all shapes and sizes.  And yesterday I received one that would have been very hard to wrap but also one of the most beautiful by far.  Yesterday I gifted with a healing meditation ...

Initially my flight reaction set in and I had visions of an intervention happening with my ego hoping to latch on to whatever it could to control the situation.  But then something amazing happened ... I completely and fully opened myself up to all possibilities.  The intentions were pure, compassionate, loving and supportive.  The intentions were to help relieve the cause of the suffering and not the cause of the illness.  One in the same, perhaps.

The environment was about acceptance to what is & surrender to what is ... 

There are beliefs saying the root of illness is in the mind or consciousness.  Hence by tending to the mind and clearing it of any disturbances, the recovery speeds up.  Meditation is the key to control emotional pollution ...

Personally I was beyond words when my meditation class and teacher expressed how they saw this as a gift, they were honored and felt privileged to take part in the healing.  I was the one that was the recipient and they were the gifter?  Yet within our practice, some of the techniques we learn were being applied ... with no expectations.  

The gift is in the giving ...

Words cannot even begin to describe the beautiful experience that occurred ... powerful yet terrifying ... vulnerable yet protected ... flight yet guided ...

healing healing healing healing healing healing healing healing ...

So so much gratitude for how many blessings I am surrounded by.  Life is perfect as it is, as it is it should be.  

ॐ Namaste ॐ

"Birthday ..."

We gonna come together, We gonna celebrate
We gonna gather round, like it’s your birthday
I don’t wanna know, just what I’m gonna do
I don’t care where you’re going, I’m coming along with you
~ Kings of Leon ~ Birthday ~
***


Yesterday, it was Russell's birthday.  And anyone that knows me, knows that I LOVE birthdays.  LOVE LOVE LOVE Birthdays.  What's not to LOVE?  Birthdays give you the opportunity to celebrate someone's life, their being, their uniqueness, their expression, their humour, their love .... we have a chance to give happiness.  What a beautiful thing - giving happiness.  Making sure we were still staying on my therapy schedule, we spent the day together outdoors and toodled around.  We had fun just spending time being.  


I remember in the past, between hectic work schedules, I would plan a dinner, or a party or some surprise with others.  I would miss the entire point, to frustrated, tired or anxious regarding the planned event.  Two years ago, we celebrated Russell's 40th with a party with his invite list.  When I say that I mean there were people on the list that I didn't really care for.  People that were "friends" when it was a party, but otherwise, you wouldn't hear a peep from.  But I remember thinking to myself, this isn't about you so suck it up.  Russ felt that they somehow affected his life thus far and wanted to include them in his celebration.  So, along with my Mom, we planned the food and drinks, holding it a the local community club.  Funny, I was so concerned on how I would look, if it was good enough, and how I would be judged.  See, absolutely nothing to do with the fact that it was his birthday.  And actually I admit now, so self-absorbed.  So this year was progress for me .... haha, not to make it about me (yikes again!), but privately I reflected on how things have changed in two years - how things have shifted.  And I am happier for it.  I will remember it more fondly than any other birthday we celebrated together.  


And yes it has everything to do with my current situation.  Of course it does ... again forces you to be in the present, really here and NOW.  Today my facebook status is Sorrow looks back ... Worry looks around ... FAITH looks up ♥  Makes sense doesn't it?  Looking up and excited about another chance and another year to live.  Birthdays are an opportunity to end one cycle and begin another.  Perhaps reflect on the previous year, focusing on our accomplishments and understanding our setbacks.  Establishing new goals and navigating on how to pursue them.  Although it wasn't MY birthday, Russell and I have many conversations about where we came from, and meeting ourselves where we are.  As well, where we want to go, what we want to do and how we will get there.  It is awesome to have your best friend and life partner on the same page.  I firmly believe we were meant to be together and in a past life, were as well.  Anyone one reading this, understands that connection.  It's a beautiful thing.


So, Russell and I shared the day, enjoying times of little chatter, and other times of laughter and love.  With lots of well wishes and joy from others, it was a memorable day for both of us.  Feeling blessed and know that life maybe unpredictable, but so precious and to be celebrated each and every day.