The Art of Giving & Receiving

The day I sat down to write this article, I received in the mail a request from the charity that I support, The Vestibular Disorders Association, which helps people suffering from balance and dizziness disorders. I do not believe in coincides therefore, I knew this was the correct topic to write about for the December issue of HedraNews, a monthly local News Publication for Idaho and surrounding areas.

Service means being generous in every way you can, in appreciation for life and the Divine that sustains us all. You can be generous with many things: Love, blessings, time, knowledge, support, prayers, talents, and resources.  Being in service to the world helps you maintain the proper attitude of gratitude and humility.

 Here is an example of the importance of service and giving, from the ancient teachings of Taoist Sages.  The sages explained that nature is governed by a law of cycles.  These cycles manifest in the world in such dual-faceted principles as light and dark, inhaling and exhaling, drawing in energy and putting forth energy, and giving and receiving. Each of the two elements in the pair is defined in relation to its opposite, and both are necessary for balance or equilibrium in the world.

Balance & equilibrium

You cannot have light without dark, and you cannot inhale without exhaling.  When there is an imbalance – too much or not enough of one or the other – this law is broken, and it creates a problem that nature will correct. Yes, nature will self-correct in time.

Thus, if someone wants only to receive but not to give, eventually nature will see to it that the person is unable to receive. Alternatively, if someone wants always to give but never receive - the person is unable to accept graciously - eventually nature will see to it that the person is unable to give. (I personally have seen this in my own life and, although difficult, it was a necessary life lesson).

To be properly balanced and to be in harmony with the natural law, we must be able to both give and to receive. Giving or providing service, whether you are offering love, time, money, or talent, creates a vacuum which enables you to receive more of what you gave.  Receiving graciously, in turn, replenishes you and enables you to give even more.

(Sister Keri and Sister in-law Bonnie, caring for a hungry and thirsty horse that they met while taking a walk)

Service is thus part of the natural cycle of the universe, and an important part of your physical, psychological, spiritual, and even financial health. The principle of service is summarized perfectly in the simple phrase “As you give, so shall you receive.” And what applied back in ancient times still holds true today.  Nature and service are governed by a law of cycles.

( My Sister Colleen, helping our brother Kevin, navigate through his final days on earth)

Remembering that as we give we receive. What we do to the least of these, we do unto Christ. Even through difficult and sorrowful circumstances, do your best to lift others up. Keep showing them the love and Divine Light that resides in your heart. And if at all possible, show joy even when your heart is breaking. As the Bible says: There is a time to laugh and a time to cry. A time to give and a time to receive. A time to build and a time to tear down, and a time to carry the load together.

I hope everyone finds balance in the art of giving and receiving with true sincerity.

In His Endless Love & Light

Christine Haggerty 

To learn more about serving others, I recommend two books: Your Hands Can Heal You; by Master Stephen Co. And, The Teachings of Christ; The Holy Bible.