Giving is an integral part of true wealth. This is a universal truth. Giving and receiving go hand in hand. When you give, you receive. Everyone who gives and helps someone knows this. You can feel it. It is an exchange of energy- and it feels good. There are so many ways to give. You can give your time, talent, and treasure. When you give some of all three, the dividends increase. When you give, feelings of abundance grow. It makes you realize, I have enough and I can also help someone else. That is empowering to both you and the receiver. Also, when we think about it, there have been many gifts that have been given to us throughout our lives.

Write It Down

Let’s talk about financial giving. My charitable donations are line items in my budget. When I write it down it my budget it becomes part of my monthly plan. I am committed. It is too easy, to say I plan to do something but not follow through if it is not written down. In my budget, I write down the two non-profits to which I donate every month and then I leave open some other monies to donate to the organizations or people that I am called to that month. My budget would not be complete, nor would I, without giving.

Real Life Examples

I have to share some recent examples of the joy of giving. My friend Buddhist Lama Karma Chotso recently sold her vehicle for parts and did not have another vehicle to use. Within a month or so, a long-time friend of Lama Chotso called and said that she was selling her home in Florida. The woman said she no longer needed the vehicle she kept at the residence. This friend said she was gifting the vehicle to Lama. That is the energy of giving! Lama Chotso is one of the most giving people I know. She didn’t have a vehicle, was not sure how she was going to obtain one, and out of the blue a friend called and literally filled her need with the gift of a very nice, reliable vehicle. That is how it works, that is the universal truth of giving.

This Just Happened..

As I was writing this blog, Wei Lin, my friend and one of the best yoga teachers you will ever meet, texted me. Wei said he was in the neighborhood and asked to come by my house to see me for a moment. Wei drove over in a beautiful vehicle (it’s a surprise so I can’t reveal the make and model) and parked it in my driveway.

Wei purchased and refurbished this vehicle for his 21 year old niece. Wei is giving the vehicle to his niece as a gift. She is entering a new, exciting stage in her life and well, a vehicle would help her out. So, Wei in the true spirit of giving chose to buy his niece a vehicle. Giving is energy. What Wei is doing for his niece will add incredible joy and security to her life. Wei’s life also becomes richer. As you give, you receive. Thank you Wei for sharing this moment with me. Your timing could not have been more perfect. That is Wei and what I’ll call “the silver vehicle” in the photo above.

Giving During a Pandemic

Cheryl and I have been friends for over 40 years (wow how did time go by so fast?). Cheryl is an uber talented textile designer and artist. Cheryl, who lives in California, has had financial repercussions from the pandemic. Yet, Cheryl decided that she was going to start tithing 5 percent of her income, in the midst of COVID-19. Cheryl expressed to me how powerful it feels to be able to choose to help others even when her monetary situation has decreased. Cheryl believes in the reciprocal law of giving. She is feeling the joy of the experience and knows that she has enough and can help others even during a pandemic. That is the universal law of giving.

Choose To Give

I am a nature lover and I have deep concerns for the state of our planet. I take these concerns and find a proactive way to do something about it. I donate to organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, The World Wildlife Fund, The National Audubon Society, and the incredible Pelican Harbor Seabird Station and Bound by Beauty non-profits here in Miami.

I assist Bound by Beauty with my time and talent to increase pollinator gardens in our communities. I have an ever expanding pesticide-free pollinator garden at my home. I pick up litter when I am walking and I am significantly reducing my plastic use. I am being aware and mindful of our beautiful planet on a daily basis. All of us can take actions every day to make this world a better place. The act of being mindful and giving brings you exponential joy. I know this is true.

So I ask you to think about giving. How can you give in your life? How can you help someone else? There are so many ways to brighten someone’s day, make a burden lighter, help the planet, and just let someone know you care. We are all in this together. When we give, we receive.

In gratitude,

Susan, The MoneyMaestra