Why Giving is Important? It is in Giving that we truly Learn to L I V E
by Therese Miu on 18/10/09 at 5:31 am
Welcome Back! Please Make Sure You Subscribe To My Free Newsletter To Get My Blog Posts Emailed to You!
I cried for few hours and here’s WHY…
CAN I ASK YOU SOMETHING???
Don’t you feel really good when someone gives you something whether it’s your birthday or whether it’s for no occasion at all?
Don’t you feel warmth in your heart?
Christmas is coming up and is the most favorite holidays Season.
Since we are almost on the midst of the holiday season. I decided to share this with you something that happened just few days ago.
Giving back has always made me feel so whole. I remember not having enough money yet I would consistently spend my days in different non-profit organizations and do volunteer work. I enjoyed being in the frontline. I would probably say this is really one of the best times in my life. I love connecting with people and sharing my ideas, time, and resources.
Sometimes it’s not about the “feel good” emotions that come with it, rather than the person that you become in the process. It helps you understand that Life is BEYOND YOU. It’s not always being in the “grind” rather it’s about true genuine relationships that you develop along the way.
In life we are either “taking” or we are “giving,” and every moment you can choose which one you will do at every given time. And it starts with YOU.
If you would take, you must first give ~~Lao-tzu
HERE’S MY STORY!
The reason why I was in complete tears (like a baby!) was because for a number of months now. I have stepped away from my volunteer adventures and really focused on my business as well as in my home. I did an amount of research on which cause I felt strongly with and the one that I felt very connected was AMALA FOUNDATION. Here’s the Mission Statement:
“The Amala Foundation works to create a peaceful, equitable and compassionate world by unifying communities in service, inspiring youth to lead with a heart-centered global perspective, and living in recognition that sustainable peace begins within.”
They have a once a year Peace gathering with all youths from all over the country. Here’s a list of different diverse countries that teens come from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Congo, Burma, Thailand, Somalia, Yemen, Cuba, Kenya, Burundi, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, and United Kingdom. “Many of the youth come from homes challenged by poverty, violence, and deprivation; some have witnessed the atrocities of war and have literally run for their lives; many have been uprooted from their native cultures and struggle to integrate into an entirely foreign world. Everyone in the Village is invited to speak about their experiences, to share their perspectives, and to find within themselves new inspiration to live as leaders for peace.”
They gather for 9 day Global Youth Peace Summit uniting 70 International refugee immigrant and local youth peace Leaders. Please Take a Moment to WATCH this quick video of the Peace Summit.
I have been faithfully contributing to Amala Foundation for number of months.
Just a FEW DAYS AGO….
I was going about my day when I received a letter from 3 refugees from the Peace Conference and 1 Peace Leader. I was in complete tears to hear their story and how the conference has changed their lives. Some stories they shared with me where:
“My vision for the world is to see great men forsake their pleasures and support the small men not because they want to get the glory but because they accept that all men were born equal but with different abilities. My vision for the world is to see all men coming together not minding their religion or social status and working together as one…living in love peace and unity.” Gyps Nigeria 17 yrs old.
“I tell the world to love, respect, and honor yourself. To find yourself and know who you are. To take the opportunity to open your heart to others. To become vulnerable. To get to know the people that surrounds you. To take the challenge and listen to your heart. You can be surprise to find out how similar we all are.” Ana, Mexico, 17 yrs old.
“My Message to the world is to show who I am in my inside and I want to show not my face nor my body. NO. I want to show the world my heart. I found my dream.And my dream is to show the world my heart.” Ali, Afganistan, 17 yrs.old
One Peace Leader shared her story about the agenda of everyday for Global Youth Peace Summit. She shared, “We would wake up at 7am, and have ‘morning movement’ which consisted of yoga, tai chi, capoiera, and other exercises. We would them take a silent walk to a sacred circle. We shared songs, prayers and chants from our religions, cultures, countries. One exercise we did was where everyone stood on one side of the room and when a fact was called out (i.e. “I have lived in a country that was at war,” or “I have been sexually harassed”) that was true for you, you would cross to the other side of the room. It was a very eye-opening experience to see how many people crossed every single time.” Olivia Peace Leader
As I sat there in complete silence. I really felt their message speaking to me. They mentioned that the small contributions that they received HAVE MADE all the DIFFERENCE in their LIFE. Yet as I sat there with complete acceptance, joy, and love…My message to them would have been that THEY HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE IN ME.
Yet this letters has lingered to my every being with such great delight and happiness that comes from within when You Give Purposefully. The aura of peace stays with you for a while. It can last for a very long time. And the happiness and relief I felt could not be broken or ignored. I really felt ALIVE and excited to see how a small amount of contribution can ripple effect into a magnitude of love into their life.
“Give me love, give me peace on earth, give me light, give me life, keep me free from birth, give me hope, help me cope, with this heavy load, trying to, touch and reach you with, heart and soul”George Harrison
I do have one simple advice for you:
Before you can G I V E to the world—You Must be willing to give to yourself, then Give to your family, relatives, friends, community, and then the World.
Sometime we overlook this. However it is very IMPORTANT.
“IF 150 STRANGERS COULD LIVE IN PEACE, SO CAN THE WORLD!” Olivia, Peace Leader
Here’s SOME PICTURES of the letters I received in the mail…
What stories do you have about charity work, tithing, and volunteer?
How can you give back to people close to you in your life with whole heart, right intentions, and open mind?
What other qualities arises when one person gives? What does this do for his/her character?
Do you believe that living is giving?
Please share. And make a comment below.
I appreciate it if you would share this in your community of friends and family on facebook and twitter.
Thank you
In Love & Gratitude,
Therese Miu
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are”
PLEASE LEAVE me a COMMENT & if you want your own picture next to your comment PLEASE PLEASE GRAB A GRAVATAR
THANK YOU!
Eiji Morishita
