My Smile I Share…It’s The Gift Of My Soul

In the months of desperation I found joy in the silent pleasures of life recently celebrated by Neil Pasricha’s 1000 Awesome Things.

I found my smile in the ten dollar a day parking pass that an anonymous giver had kindly left in the ticket machine for me to find, which I later gifted to the next patron.

I found sunshine in my role as the floating fruit punch fairy at the Rotary club’s annual Laundromat Turkey Dinner for the young and old citizens of Edmonton… who might otherwise not have shared a Thanks Giving meal at all.

I found my peace of mind in teaching my senior Pilates class at our local community hall. Mary Ann, my 92-year-old angel wills me to grow old with the same gracefulness and zest for life that pours out of every pore of her being.

When everything in life eluded me, it was my smile…the seed I carefully nurtured even through the darkest of times…that I readily shared with the world and that kept me connected.

Recently the love of my life shared a book with me that lifted my way of living into words. As a non-denominational earthling I have never found gentler words than those of Khalil Gibran’s “Prophet” to sum up my parents’ teachings in such a profound way…I’d like to share his chapter on giving while I challenge you to live in alignment with his words. Perhaps, like myself, you’ll find it will be the ultimate gift to yourself:

“Giving:

Then said a rich man, "Speak to us of Giving."

And he answered:

You give but little when you give of your possessions.

It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.

For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow?

And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the overprudent dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city?

And what is fear of need but need itself?

Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, thirst that is unquenchable?

There are those who give little of the much which they have - and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.

And there are those who have little and give it all.

These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty.

There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.

And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism.

And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue;

They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.

Though the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth.

It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding;

And to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving

And is there aught you would withhold?

All you have shall some day be given;

Therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors'.

You often say, "I would give, but only to the deserving."

The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture.

They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish.

Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights is worthy of all else from you.

And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your little stream.

And what desert greater shall there be than that which lies in the courage and the confidence, nay the charity, of receiving?

And who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride, that you may see their worth naked and their pride unabashed?

See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument of giving.

For in truth it is life that gives unto life - while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness.

And you receivers - and you are all receivers - assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives.

Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings;

For to be over mindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity who has the free-hearted earth for mother, and God for father.”

I smile and I am moved as I live in harmony with Gibran's words and the world around me. Finding that the concept of giving has swiftly become second nature…a state so fulfilling that I will never let it slip away.

Smiling and grateful…dr eyecandy