How to be Truly Blessed
Emotional Healing, gratitude, happiness, inner peace March 20th, 2009“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” ~ Acts 20:35
photo by: Saquan Stimpson/monstershaq 2000
Sometimes we come across extra special people in our lives. Sometimes we come across those people who offer us gifts of hope and healing, joy and peace, unconditional love, acceptance and respect. The world would not be the same without them. OUR world, OUR life, would not be the same without them. It was no accident that God put these people into our lives. What is the best way to say thank you to these people and to God?
What happens when we keep these gifts to ourselves?
Something interesting happens after a time when we keep these gifts….. We actually become weighed down. The gifts become heavy on our shoulders.
If we were to ask any of the people who have given us these gifts what they wanted us to do with them, I am most certain they would all unanimously say to give them to others.
I was always taught that it was rude to re-gift - to give a gift to someone else that had been given to me. (I guess this is not the time to say there have been times when I have been rude. 
) But, there is an exception to this rule. With the things that have no price tag there is another rule….. Give them away.
A strange thing will happen when we give these priceless gifts away. We will actually get more back than we give away.
It is the only way to be truly blessed…. to give these gifts. Think about how much your life has been enriched by these people, by these gifts. Now think about this being multiplied many times over. That’s what happens when we re-gift these blessings. The more we give away the more we get back. Yet the burden keeps getting lighter and lighter as we give and give. Peace and joy beyond measure is ours. There is one catch though… It only works if we do not give for the purpose of getting something back. It only works if we give for the pure joy of giving - or giving out of gratitude.
As we give, our blessings overflow more than we could ever imagine.
Are you feeling weighed down, burdened? Could it be because you are hoarding your gifts. Is it time to take an inventory?
Your turn:
Think about the people who have blessed your life and how they have blessed your life. Who are these people? What are the gifts they would say to give away to others?
If for some reason you have not crossed paths with these kinds of people, what are the ways that you would most like to be treated? The giving can always begin with you. Is it respect you want? Is it unconditional love? Whatever it is, begin giving this to others in the same way you would want to receive it and the blessings will come. Just remember the catch… It only works if it is done for the pure joy of giving.
Hi Jennifer,
I have a story about this guy I know. I’ll sometimes go over to help him out with some stuff - and no matter what - I always leave feeling like I’m getting more out of it than he is. Like I go to help him - and I end up feeling like he cares and is so appreciative. Even recently, when he ended up with cancer (he’s recovering - that’s great news!) and I was over there - I still left feeling like it was him doing more for me than the other way around. And it really feels like everything he does, he’s just grateful for everything. And giving of his time. Always. And without looking for something in return. And it all feels completely real. No false fronts put up.
So, I hadn’t really thought about this much until now when I’m reading here - gifts that we give away freely - and from whom in my life I see that. This is a good thought today. And it’s also making me think how well I do at giving these priceless gifts away, or more specifically, how I can do better at this…
Jennifer, I’m leaving here today feeling really good about all the people in my life - and for how lucky I am to be surrounded by amazing and giving people!
Lances last blog post..It’s Time For Class
Jennifer,
I took a nice cleansing breath (very much needed) when I read this post. I haven’t been saying thank you for my blessings as much as I want. Right now, I am watching the birds eat from my feeder outside my office (I work at home) and realizing seeing their joy as they eat the food I put out fills ME with joy. I guess it doesn’t matter to whom you give; it’s the giving. Thanks for this post…I needed it :~)
Saras last blog post..The power of make-believe
I feel loved just thinking about everyone who has blessed me. Every time in life I needed someone, I found one of these ‘blessers’ waiting for me to shower with unconditional love, support, guidance … whatever was needed.
The only way to continue what we receive is by sharing it with others in the same manner … unconditionally.
Avani-Mehtas last blog post..How To Organize 300 Pounds Of ‘Stuff’ Easily
Great reminder! I always tell people to just pay it forward when they ask me how they can repay me for what I did for them. I do a lot of favors but I just see it as “showing up for God’s work each day.” Sometimes it’s glamorous, and sometimes it’s ugly…but even Jesus washed feet. I am not affiliated with any religion anymore and believe in a universal model, but having been raised Christian I like to remind myself of that story and that if “Life” or “God” is asking you to do something then you should just serve with gladness. My grandma always says to, “Serve the Lord with Gladness.” She is 98 so I think she knows what she’s talking about!
My I haven’t been on your blog in a while. Things have been pretty crazy for me. Hope you are well dear!
Dr. Nicoles last blog post..Scientists Urging Obama to End Natural Medicine Research?
Hi Jennifer,
I like your point about re-gifting. Whatever we have to give, we received from someone else first. And therefore whatever we have received is given to us to give again. Life truly comes full circle in that sense. Great reminder, thanks!
Daphne @ Joyful Dayss last blog post..How To Find Happiness in 5 Minutes
I was pretty down yesterday morning but by the time I hit the pillow I was feeling better and I started to think about why. I had 5 people in this wonderful cyber world help me cheer up yesterday- none of them were like “its ok to be upset”- they all gave me crap about it- told me to snap out of it and get back into the right frame of mind. What a blessing to have met these people! I hope that someday I can do the same for others!
Jays last blog post..The Inner Noodle Review- Issue 4
After some thought, I realize that there have been so many people that have blessed my life. Not necessarily making the most impact, but they have blessed my life in little ways that add up. From co-workers, bosses, teachers, colleagues to the family and friends.
mma gears last blog post..Shane Carwin T Shirt UFC 96
A priest encouraged me to attend college. I did because of him. My duaghters gift me with their joy and presence. I am blessed. My husband gives to me unconditionally daily. How did I get so lucky? My friends are there for me and enjoy my company. My mom and dad gave me the gift of life. I have so much to give away…I can’t do it enough. One of my favorites is over tipping. I also like to tip the bathroom attendants in the airports. What a thankless messy job they have. It brightens their day and they feel appreciated.
Thanks for encouraging me to give away more.
Tess The Bold Lifes last blog post..Are You Bold Enough To Forgive Yourself & Others?
Hello Jennifer,
We count our blessings everyday for the wonderful people in our lives and in turn are “re-gifting”
every bit of it! It certainly does make one feel incredibly wonderful to give a priceless gift of kindness, of love, of hope and joy, etc….
And it’s always the smallest acts that make the biggest difference. And like you say, those gifts come back full circle when there’s no hidden agenda.
Today’s special gift was meeting you and reading your post. We’ll be sure to pass your gift on, too. Thanks for sharing.
Many Blessings….
Roxanne and Hugo ~ Believe Achieve
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I have a couple of friends who have really been a blessing to me. They were there for me during a really difficult time in my life, encouraging me and hugging me all along the way. When I felt weak, they loaned me some strength. I only hope I can bless them as much as they have blessed me.
Lance, what a great illustration you shared. I love this. This man sounds like someone I would like to know. No matter what situation he’s in he’s always giving and in return is blessed beyond measure. People who are willing to give of themselves and their time are always the most blessed. I love how you pointed out how he’s grateful. I think that’s really it. When we are truly grateful then we give automatically.
Your illustration also made me think how I can improve in this area as well.
I’m so glad that this post helped you appreciate the people in your life.
Sara, how wonderful that this post helped you to feel refreshed and to remember to be grateful. I can just see the birds in my mind enjoying the food you put out for them. Isn’t it neat how the most simple things, like birds, can bring us so much joy! I think when we’re truly grateful that we will give to everyone and everything.
Avani, it sounds like you have been very blessed by wonderful people in your life - at just the right times. How wonderful. That truly is something to be grateful for.
You are so right… the only way to keep receiving is to keep sharing in an unconditional way.
Dr. Nicole. How wonderful to see your comment here! I have missed you too! I am busy (in so many good ways), but very well.
I love how you said that…favors are just “showing up for God’s work each day.” I love that!! What a great point about Jesus washing feet - a very yucky role of a servant, yet he did it gladly. Truly we should serve all roles that God has called us to with gladness. What an absolutely wonderful point! Your grandma does know what she is talking about! I would love to meet her.
Daphne, I love that point that whatever we give we have received and it is given to us to give again. It does come full circle, doesn’t it. Just think about how your gift of joy is such a blessing to so many! Don’t you feel great about giving that?!
Jay, it sounds like you have been truly blessed by some wonderful people in the cyber world. How wonderful that you had them! I’m sure you will remember this lesson next time you hear others getting down on themselves.
Tess, Wow! Look at how blessed you have been!!! I love how you are so in tune to your blessings. I know that is a gift to so many others including myself.
Over tipping… How wonderful! And to the bathroom attendants! That’s just fantastic! You’re making me think of all kinds of ways to give more. And you’re saying I’ve encouraged you?!
Hugo and Roxanne, welcome to Principles for Peace! That’s so wonderful that you count your blessings every day and re-gift them. I know you do feel incredibly wonderful for doing that!
It IS the smallest acts that seem to make the most difference and they do always come back.
The gift of your wonderful presence and comment here to help brighten my day and the day of others has been priceless! Thank you so much and may many more blessings come your way!
Laurie, how wonderful to have these great friends in your life who helped you through your tough time. I’m sure that you will have plenty of opportunity to do the same for them or for others.
It has been almost a year now, since my friend Ron Wilkins passed away. He blessed my life in more ways than I can count. I remember crying for days or even weeks after his passing because I felt so grateful to have not only learned from him personally how to remove emotional pain in my life, but just to have known him. It’s something that I will be forever grateful for and pass on to others. I feel I could never pass it on in the same capacity that he did to me. There are so many others as well that have enriched my life so wonderfully. I thank God for them every day.
mma gear, welcome to Principles for Peace. So glad that you were able to remember those who have blessed your life. Often times, it is the little things that add up from the people we have contact with every day that can make the biggest impact on us. Just taking time to reflect on that can teach us many lessons that maybe we can pass along to others.
Very nice, Jennifer. Thank you for this message, for it is true… the more we give (unconditionally), the more we receive. And the more we receive (unconditionally), in even more and seemingly impossible ways, we are able to give. It’s truly a beautiful cycle.
In love and light, Roldan
On Common Grounds last blog post..Unexceeding Expectations
Reminded me of a quote, I once heard… “Everyone has a purpose in life…a unique gift or special talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals.” — Deepak Chopra
On Common Grounds last blog post..Unexceeding Expectations
Roldan, your welcome. It really is true, isn’t it and such a beautiful cycle.
Thank you so much for sharing that beautiful quote. It is very fitting! We were not made to serve ourselves, and until we figure that out, we can not experience the joy that this quote talks about.