This is the second part in my series on “How to Create a Financially Balanced Lifestyle.” If you missed the first article you may find it by clicking here – Save Some Money.

“Giving opens the way for receiving.” – Florence Scovel Shinn

When you wake up in the morning, where are your thoughts?  Have you ever paid attention?  I know my thoughts are 1) not wanting to get out of my warm bed 2)  starting to think about the long list of to do’s for the day 3) making sure the kids are dressed, prepare lunches and get them out of the house for school.  The list can go on and on.

Only after all of the quick hustle and bustle am I able to take a moment, really reflect and say “thank you.”  Thank you for all of the wonderful gifts I’ve been given.

You may say, “I thought this article was about giving?”  Well, it is.  I’ll tie it all together now.   You see, I believe that when we’re thankful for what we have, we should then realize that we have enough to give and share.  There is no better way to say thank you and affirm that you have enough than to give something(s) away.

I know it’s hard.  Especially over the last year or so since there has been talk about lack and the state of the economy.  But what I have learned in my short life span is that when you give nothing for fear of lack, you close the door to abundance.

Two Basic Laws

The Law of Sowing and Reaping. There is a scripture that says, “Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap…As we have therefore opportunity let us do good unto all men.”  This is powerful information when we realize that giving is the energy that can change the course of your life.

Have you ever paid attention to successful people?  Here’s a couple of things I’ve noticed.  First, they recognize and show gratitude to the Spiritual Being (God) in their lives that lead and guide them on their journey.  Second, they give of their time, money and resources.  They view life from a place of abundance and feel compelled to share.

The Law of Attraction. This law simply states that whatever you think about, you bring about.  You think about scarcity (by not giving), you attract scarcity.  You think about abundance and thankfulness, you attract the greatness and blessings of life.

Different Ways To Give

Sometimes we think of money as being the only way we can give to someone.  It’s actually only ONE way.  There are many others that can be just as beneficial.  Listed below are some small, but powerful ways to give.  I hope they will help you to draw all the goodness you deserve into your life.

1. Give someone a listening ear. Be a light for them in their dark world.  I can’t say how much I’ve appreciated friends and family who have loaned their ears to me when problems have surfaced in my life.  They became the light that I needed to rid myself of my current darkness.
2. Give time to a worthy cause. The actions of volunteering and serving others are not new under the sun, but sometimes get forgotten.  Our daily lives are consumed with work, work, work…rush, rush, rush….and oh my goodness…THE KIDS!!!!  Take a day and ask yourself, “How can I serve?”
3. Give a compliment. Mark Twain said, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.”  I know that when I am given this gift, my whole day is brightened.  So, whenever you encounter someone, find something genuinely nice to say to them (for example:  their clothes, shoes, hair, spirit, attitude, etc.).
4. Give someone a smile. Happiness is an energy that is often contagious.
5. Give the gift of love. There is one key word that goes with this gift and it is – unconditional.  Give those around you Unconditional Love.  Yes, they have faults, but so do you.  We tend to have very high expectations of our loved ones in how they are supposed to behave towards and around us.  STOP!!!  Love them just for who they are and use the golden rule.  Treat them the way you want to be treated.  Eventually, the gift will be given back to you.

I hope I’ve given you enough food for thought to make “giving” more of a focus in your life.   Writing it has really moved me to do more.

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – Leo Buscaglia

So our challenge for today is to – GIVE.  The only question is which way?  You decide.  Give your ideas and actions in the comments…

Click here to read on to Part 3 of the series

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