A few days ago, I was speaking to a business colleague of mine and he mentioned that he was a firm believer in the givers gain philosophy. For those of you unfamiliar with the concept, this is the idea that if you give, you will eventually receive. I thought about what he was saying, and whilst I absolutely do believe in the fundamental principle, it's not as easy as giving something and expecting to get something back. Rather I see it as the next step along from my “how can help” philosophy (see blog post 29th July).
I like to believe that the universe has an amazing capacity to redistribute energy because it is constantly trying to bring things back to equilibrium. Energy is taken from where it is in abundance and redistributed to where there are gaps. Nature abhors a vacuum, they say, and when you continually give of yourself to others, you are creating an energy vacuum that just has to be filled. It's like activating a magnet within you.
However, years of observation of this principle in operation, has lead me to conclude that there is something about contamination also at work. The vacuum you are creating has to be completely empty of everything, which is what occurs when we give from the heart. If when you give, you are at the same time thinking about what you should be getting in return, it is like this thought take up room and contaminating the vacuum. The more of these thoughts and feelings you have the more space they take up, leaving less and less room in the vacuum to be filled by the universal energy.
How do you get to a place where you are just giving from the heart? In my earlier blog, I mentioned that you can practice giving freely by setting yourself a target for the number of times you respond to requests for help when there is nothing in it for you. So why not start with this.
Another strategy is to give what you need. For example if you are in business and you need business contacts, give business contacts to others. If you need more sales, use your purchasing power to buy things from others and increase their sales. The same goes for your personal life. If you need your partner to be more understanding and compassionate; start by being more understanding and compassionate towards them.
When you are not willing to give what it is that you need, it's like saying to the universe “I'm ready full up with X, I don't need it.” You are so full up with what you want that there is no possibility of creating a vacuum for the universe to fill.
The best thing about being human is our capacity to adapt and grow if we choose. So really all you need to do to give from the heart is practice and desire it. In other words, focus your attention and intention on the idea of giving freely. Old habits take a while to shift, so it might seem difficult at first, however, persistence leads to progress and progress is the herald of achievement.
Maybe you think all this sounds like that touchy-feely, mumbo-jumbo from the new age tree huggers. Well so what if it does! The basic message is: To benefit from Givers Gain, give freely from your heart and trust that others will do the same for you too. There you go a short and sweet version for the more cynical among us. Alternatively you are welcome to devise your own story. I'm more than happy with mine.
Do you subscribe to the idea of givers gain? What are your tips for getting the things you desire in life? I'd love to know your views.
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I always welcome your thoughts and commets.