Copyright 2005 Deborah FriedmanI have to be honest. I made the woman cashier at BIG! LOTS
cry. I had shopped and gathered three baskets full
together at the check out line and she just kept saying
"This is so emotional". I just kept encouraging her by
acknowledging that she was playing an important part in
making a lot of people very happy, that she was
participating in an essential act of charity.
I rarely make people cry when I shop, but today was
something special. I had checked my "Giving" jar and found
it quite full since I'd been on vacation last month, so I
called one of my favorite charities to find out what was on
their wish list. Then, I went shopping.
I wanted to have my money make a difference on their
behalf, so I went to a discount store. As I went through
the store, I was thinking of the abused women and children
who didn't have the luxury of going out to buy what they
desired. I was on a mission of charity on their behalf.
As I took my carts, one after another, to the main checkout
stand until I finished, I told them about my mission.
Other shoppers came over to ask about what was going on as
I checked out. I shared the story with them and they began
to get excited, too.
When I delivered the bags of treasures to the organization,
they were surprised. The woman I'd spoken to on the phone,
Lisa, said she had no idea when I'd called that morning
that I intended to do this. Then she said, "It feels like
Christmas! It's so exciting!"
As I was finishing my purchase at the store, the cashier
thanked me for making a difference in her day and for
teaching her more about the importance of charity. She
said she was going to go home and tell everyone about me,
about what I'd done.
As the man from the store helped me out to my car, he asked
me "You're really giving this all to charity?" Then, we
began talking about the children. I told him that the
children of the world need to know that life can be good
and generous, that they can have their dreams, and that
there are people out there who really care about them.
Every small act of kindness and charity can make a huge
difference in life. We all need to know that we are
counted and that we are visible. Even when we cannot be
seen.
It's important to remember to give on a regular basis. It
just feels good to be generous with an open heart. Giving
is the other hand of our receiving to be in the flow of
life. We must continually give to keep the flow coming to
us and to expect to receive that flow in return for what we
contribute.
Now, the truth is every gift, especially those of charity,
should be given for fun and for free with no expectation of
reciprocation. However, having done our part we are
absolutely entitled to expect the Universe to increase our
flow as the result of what we give out!
We all have something to give - a smile, a kind word, a
loving gesture, a helping hand, a bouquet of flowers, a
phone call of care, and, yes, the financial prosperity that
we have been blessed with.
Charity is a commitment we can make each day to reap great
rewards. Giving is an affirmation that we believe in the
limitless abundance of the world - a powerful affirmation
that we know there is always enough for everyone, including
us.
It's important to know that we count and that we make a
difference in the world around us. Give freely, give
gratefully, and give with joyful anticipation of all that
you are about to receive!
YOU deserve it!
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Debbie Friedman, M.S., C.Ht., is the Manifesting Maven who
helps people consciously create the life they love to live.
She is the creator of the popular Cleaning Out the Closet
of Your Mind for Wealth series:
http://www.cleaningoutthecloset.com
