When we hear the word give, what comes to mind? Consciously, we think of money and possessions, right? This is because every day we are being bombarded with telephone calls, TV commercials, radio ads, newspaper ads, billboards, Internet and the list goes on and on; for donations of money or possessions to needy charities of one kind or another. We associate our donations and contributing to giving. So we give, but do we really give? When we hand over our hard earned money, are we really giving with pure joy and happiness or are we giving through guilt because we were asked to and "after all, it's the right thing to do, but I really wished that I didn't have to. I really can't afford it right now." We are conditioned to think that giving pertains to the contributing of money. Think about it. But subconsciously, we have also learned that giving pertains to lack. "If I give this now, I'll have less than I had before. No, I'm sorry. I can't afford to give." Now think back for a minute. For most of us as a child, giving was easy. It made us happy to give. We gave out of the pure joy of seeing the other happy. We always gave of what we most loved ourselves because that made us happy. We gave no thought to lack. We believed in abundance. Giving was an exercise of God's Will. We gave of our love, joy, happiness, and strength. But unfortunately, our parents didn't understand this. Our parents could only see lack and the monetary value of the gift. "Don't give your toys away, they cost me a fortune!" "Don't give away all your candy; you'll have none for yourself!" And our training began. We learned that giving means lack and the value of money. This being embedded into our subconscious, we have unconsciously degraded the meaning of giving.

So, how do we really Give? When we give something to someone, whether it be a possession, an idea, an effort or an emotion, how does that make us feel? Well, that would depend on how it was given and what the response was from the receiver. Let's just take a simple smile, for instance. You're walking down the street and a male stranger is coming towards you. You look up and smile. You gave the gift of a smile, or did you? You'll find out by the stranger's response. The stranger could either not acknowledge your smile, put his head down and pass you by or he could smile back and maybe even nod his head Good Day. How can we determine the outcome? It's determined by the intention of the gift and how or why it was given. If you smiled at the stranger out of fear (a negative emotion) of getting past him without conflict, you will probably receive no response from him because you didn't really give a smile. You contributed a smile for the benefit of your own need, but on the other hand, if you smiled at the stranger out of pure selflessness, with the intention of expressing joy and happiness in him, then the stranger will feel this positive meaningful vibration coming from you and respond accordingly. The true meaning of giving is to give selflessly and unexpectedly with the intention of bringing forth love and goodwill in others. It becomes a miracle! It benefits all because as you give, so shall you receive. This is God's Will. The Will of Giving.

So, what does it mean to really Give? Giving is not an act we perform by presenting something to someone because we feel we have to or because we were asked to. Giving is not bequeathing with the intention of getting something back in return. Giving is not an act that occurs on special holidays and occasions for the sake of tradition. Giving is a way for us to expand our love to others because we want to. To truly Give is to become as a little child. Giving is an act that we perform to instill love, happiness and comfort in others. Giving is an act that we perform on the spur of the moment to family, friends or strangers for no special reason. To really Give with the intention of expanding your Love to humankind is the greatest gift this earth can receive from you. Giving doesn't have to cost us anything. We have a lot to give each other. Brainstorm and you'll be surprised at the list of qualities you possess. Give and you shall receive. And you know what that can feel like. You were a little child once.

So, let's learn to really Give. Start out with a simple gift. Get out there and truly want to expand your love to others with just a simple smile. But really mean it. Really want to see someone's eyes light up. Really want to put a smile on their face. No strings attached. You may never know the true value of the gift that you gave, but never mind, you will be rewarded according to your intention. If you give with the intention of love, you will receive that back in equal portion and more. It's God's Will. The Will of Giving.