The Incredible Power of Giving!
(Microsoft Powerpoint ClipArt Library, extracted 16th Nov 2019)

I sometimes think (foolishly!) that giving should mainly be about giving money to someone in need. Clearly, that’s part of the plot. Not the whole narrative.

Here are some ways you can experience the incredible power of giving, and its powerful self-expansive (yes, you read it right, without the “e”) properties.

Give to your partner.

I enjoy giving Jessie, my wife of 32 years, a nice, tight hug, and peck on her lips and cheek, as she comes down the final stairs of our house for breakfast. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I’m the “brekkie” guy of the house. Since I’m the early riser, I took it upon myself to whip up brekkie for the wifey and family over the years. Call it a labor of love. Give. Of yourself, your time, your energy, knowledge of brewing her/his favorite cuppa, and poached egg! The girls are staying away (Rachel is in Brisbane, and Carissa lives in the city), so it’s a lot easier now. (smiley)

2. Give to the world.

If you have the passion for writing, then write light. Light is infectiously positive. It will brighten someone’s day. It may not go viral. But what the heck! Write for yourself, write for others. Write to be a blessing. Your writing can cheer someone up. Your cheery thoughts on the screen may be just what someone needed to read this morning. So give of your passion, your talent, your “brainergy”!

3. Give to friends.

If you are into spirituality, give by praying for friends who are going through challenging seasons. I cannot tell you the number of times I’ve actually “felt” the power of prayer lifting up my spirits. Blessed are those who have friends and family who prays for them regularly. Giving to friends is also making time for a tete-a-tete. Yesterday, I had such a “high”, having tea with Jagdev. What an incredible gift Jagdev is. You leave him with your energy levels a notch higher than before you met. That’s how I left him (c’mon Medium, give us emoticons!). Jagdev is a massive “energizer”! Leaves the rabbit trailing!

4. Give to the Community.

Last night I gave to the community by simply turning up. The neighborhood resident association committee met up with the developer who may soon embark on works which will cause much grievance to a section of our neighborhood for about two months or more. I decided to turn up for the meeting at a neighbor’s home at 9PM (Malaysian time). I benefited. I think they were encouraged by my presence. Our presence is a gift. Our presence shows we care for the neighborhood. So get involved where and how you can. Just the littlest care goes a long way.

5. Give to your Organization.

Yes, the boss may be the biggest creep in WorkWorld! And some of your colleagues a bore! Can we still give? I love the concept of “Locus of Control” by Dr Julian Rotter. You can read his work here. http://psych.fullerton.edu/jmearns/rotter.htm (extracted 16 Nov 2019)

Dr Rotter showed me that when my internal locus of control is high, then, I am not controlled by people. I give to my organization because my motives are intrinsic, and inside of me. Not determined by the boss or bores at the workplace. Yes, it’s tough. And that’s why you and I need to be on the receiving end of incredible giving by others!

So give your BEST work to the organization. What you sow is what you reap. If your current organization doesn’t recognize or reward you, LIFE will! Unerringly. No question about it. Persistence is giving your BEST. Wherever and whenever. Of your knowledge, skills, and other abilities (KSOAs).

6. Give to the Environment

Give by keeping the world clean. Clean from plastics. Clean from litter. Including the psychological ones. Be considerate of other people’s space in the bus, mass or light transit, to the Uber/Lyft/Grab/Gojek, whatever. Give to the environment by going hiking, and trekking, and lapping up the beauty of God’s creation. It might just be in your neighborhood. Like mine. Templer Forest & Recreation Park is a 10 minute walk from my house. Get the details here http://www2.selangor.gov.my/gombak.php/pages/view/180

7. Give to yourself.

Having said all, PLEASE remember to give to yourself. Self-kindness is critical. And if you have to be critical, be kind when you critic someone or something about someone? Be kind to yourself. Give yourself a gift today. You know that you are unique, right? Try and find another thumbprint or iris that matches yours 100%.

Franklin Morais is a persistent optimist. He loves the LIGHT! Ever since LIGHT kicked out darkness many decades ago, he’s made LIGHT his passion. And LIGHT is so positive. Catch him at askme@axesspotential.com or fjcrm@icloud.com
['Franklin Morais']
['Power', 'Bright', 'Love', 'Giving', 'Self Improvement']