Why do you give people things? Whether it’s time, money, or gifts, why do you give to people? Do you love them? Do you give so someone will feel like they owe you? Is it just time to do the Secret Santa thing? Do you expect a specific reaction to the gift? Do you have no expectation for the reaction to the gift? Do you expect something back, whether that be a gift or a favor? Do you expect nothing back?
There are times when giving is done with the agreement that repayment will be made, other times we give just to give, and many times we give to show love, to make someone’s life brighter and happier. When you give to make someone’s life brighter and to express your love to them, then you won’t be disappointed if you get nothing back. You won’t be disappointed if someone doesn’t react to the gift the way you hoped. You’ll just happy because you helped someone else be happy. You’ll just be happy because you told someone you love them and they know you do.
Sometimes people say it’s the thought that counts. It does. What do you think about when you give to someone? What is your intent? A gift can have many thoughts behind it, and it doesn’t usually take long for the receiver to figure out what you mean by giving to them. Let’s give to each other with the right intentions. We’ll all be a lot happier that way.
Related:
On Giving
A Hilarious Giver
Prospered for Giving
Giving to God