You Get What You Give

The Principle Of Reciprocity

God has given us two hands. One to receive with and the other to give with. We are channels made for giving. It is in the act of giving that the channels for receiving are also opened. It is not how much we give but how much love we put into giving. Giving reduces self-centeredness and makes us more connected to others. Give generously, live joyfully, love abundantly.

"Whenever you feel ‘short’ or in ‘need’ of something, give what you want first and it will come back in buckets. That is true for money, a smile, love, friendship. I know it is often the last thing a person may want to do, but it has always worked for me. I just trust that the principle of reciprocity is true, and I give what I want" [Robert T. Kiyosaki]

"Our sages say "In the measure one metes out to others, so is meted out to him." In the course of our lives we face many situations when we are dependent on the kindness and generosity of others to make it through difficult times. The way we reach out to others when fortune is on our side will often determine how fate will treat us in our moment of need.

Charity is actually a cycle - the gifts that we give to others will eventually return to us. Furthermore, God is acutely tuned in to our small acts of goodness and kindness. Our acts of giving stimulate God's blessings to shower down upon all of us, the giver and the receiver alike." [Chaya Shuchat]

America, A Nation United In Kindness

Sometimes it’s hard to be an American.

We have created so many divisions in our society, ranging from politics to religion to sports teams, that make it hard and often saddening to wake up each day and call ourselves a part of an American community.  

Sometimes it’s hard to remember what makes us a community in the first place.

But after the horrific events in Boston, we couldn’t have made a louder statement of the unity and compassion we share with and for each other. 

Thousands of Bostonians opened their homes to those stranded in the city, marathon runners ripped off their clothes to aid the wounds of those injured and some, after 26.2 miles, ran to Mass General to give blood.

Twitter and Facebook lit up with “pray for Boston” hashtags and profile pictures, celebrities and athletes offered help — former Patriot Joe Andruzzi even carried victims from the scene — and restaurants provided free meals and shelter.

The Yankees even tweeted, for what has to be the first time ever, “We stand united with the @RedSox.”

America spoke with words of kindness and compassion, some willing to do anything possible to comfort those directly affected by the tragic event.

We may be a country built from and prided on our divisions. But underneath it all, we are united.

We share our love just as we share our freedom. 

We cry for those we have never met and we do anything in our power to protect those we may never meet. 

We are a nation that is inherently good. 

The actions of those who care and love make an impact larger than any bomb can. 

The unity we have strengthened this week is greater than any partisan divide in Washington or income divide between Wall Street and Main Street.

This unity is rare and it comes from kindness — the kindness of your everyday American, which often seems overshadowed by the cruel misdeeds of the few. 

We proved this week that no evil can overshadow the love we have for each other. 

That we will stand together as one, rejoicing together in celebration and mourning together in sadness.  

We are one nation. 

We are one family. 

Today, we are all Boston. [vermontcynic.com]