Do you give that you might receive?

Tweet

Since giving and receiving are so intimately intertwined in our lives, we often make the mistake of thinking that we can attract abundance into our lives, simply by giving in an openhanded way.Yet we often find ourselves disappointed when our generosity is not met with the expected results. The answer here lies in the expectation that first prompted us to give.Though our intention may be pure, we can unintentionally mar the beautiful experience of giving by focusing on what we will eventually receive in return.When we let go of the notion that we deserve to receive based on giving,than good, kindness and bounty can once again flow freely in and out of our lives. When the gifts we give are laden down with expectations, they are no longer gifts but become instead units of exchange that we are trading for some reward. We forget the reciprocal laws of the universe err on the side of the giver who shares for the sake of sharing.Some of us may have seen this simple truth at work in our own experience,perhaps when the concerns of life prevented us from spending too much time contemplating the results our charitable actions would ultimately have.It was likely then that we received the greatest gifts in return for our kindness.When we have trouble divesting ourselves of our expectations, we may need to reflect upon the root cause of our inability to act in the true spirit of giving. Each time we make a gift, whether spiritual or tangible, let's ask ourselves if there is something we hope to receive in return. We may be surprised to discover that we expect to be repaid with an easy life,financial windfalls, or opportunities of some kind. To integrate this most selfless form of generosity into our life, we will have to let go of our need to be in control. Accepting that while like inevitably attracts like,it typically does so in an unobservable way. This can help us stop weighing the gifts we give against those we receive. Giving eventually becomes a profound joy that stands alone, separate from any and all conditions, and we learn to appreciate the flow of mutual abundance as a gift in and of itself.