Jan 17
Secrets About Giving
Posted on Sunday, January 17, 2010 in Business
The secret to get what you want is revealed. Simply by giving. The reasons are explained using the classic philosophical question: "Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?" The chicken and the egg, which forms the circle of life, serves as a profound analogy to giving and getting what we want: the circle of joy. The concept is explained in the clear and refreshing voice of Masami Sato, the author of ONE Book. As human beings, most of us have yearnings for different kinds of things. And of course, the fundamental principles of economics tell us that while needs are unlimited, resources are not. This makes us think that the more resources we have, the more yearnings we would be able to satisfy. As such we tend to safeguard our resources. We would then feel that giving away these resources or splitting it between many would lessen the portion that can be used to get what we desire. This is the conventional win-lose strategy that is being played out. Then, is it true? What if the answer was "no"? What if it actually contradicts the secret of getting more? What if the secret to get more is simple - by giving more? One can get something just by giving something else. Exactly the way one can have eggs by raising chickens. As simple as that. Normal. Automatic. And it is a completely joyful experience. First, let us start with a small comparison to explain things. Chicken and Egg: the Cosmic Circle of Life Philosophers have made this query ever since time dawned, "Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?" There is a simple answer to this unending doubt. It is that the question is unimportant, since both chicks and eggs are here now. Nevertheless, if one wants a greater effect, one can choose to start somewhere. Giving and Taking: the Ring of Joy What if we asked the question in a different manner? "Which comes first, giving or receiving?" Again, for better results, we have to begin somewhere. Giving away things to others is definitely far simpler than attempting to get it first! What happens if we are trying to get it first? If we hope to have something, surely we would try to acquire it. And once we get it, we would cling on to it. This is surely natural - it makes sense rationally. But the actual upshot of 'striving to get' is often not profusion and actual long-term recompense. For example, wanting to see others being happy is not about getting the joy from them or controlling them to become happy. It is about how much joy we can give them and share with them. Period. So how do we begin to get what we desire? By starting from the other end of the circle- by giving generously! When we give first before we actually fully have what we really want - what we dream of - we send a very powerful message to ourselves that says, "there is enough, and more will come". It allows us to experience the joy today - the joy of giving. All that is required of us is to give out the love in abundance to others. It would somehow come back to us. Giving love is the only way to be completely loved. When we recognize others for the big things they do and great credentials they have, again it would come back to us. Others accept us because we accept them. In the same way, if we wanted to have enough in our life materially, financially and emotionally, we just need to share the things we want generously with others. Some people may choose to give materially by giving their time. Others would choose to give financially by giving their wealth. Those who give much more (like time, wealth, kindness, affection, principles etc.) have more of all these because it is the balance. And balance is the law of nature. Just remember the rule of the game One rule: never expect a return when we give. When we have the anticipation that giving involves 'getting' something back, we become unhappy when we do not see the thing returning to us fast. We may even feel unhappy towards the one who gets the gift. And having a negative feeling for someone is definitely not a right state of affairs! So we can know the real pleasure of giving when we are doing it with the awareness that we are actually doing it for ourselves - we are doing it for our own pleasure! Losing to succeed, giving to receive. In the beginning it may look as if we are losing. However, at some stage we recognize that taking things without giving is not an acceptable life pattern. And we have been aware of it all throughout. That is why tithing has been a normal part of the lives of many people who were leaders. And they did not do it with any fanfare so it was not done to gain popularity. It was done because it was a way of life. Just take a look around. 'Simple' forms of life on the earth do it routinely. The bumblebees fertilize the flowers in return for the honey they take from them and ensure that the flowers bloom profusely. Habitually. That is the rule. They do not do it consciously. That is why they maintain nature's balance, without even trying. Giving is just being who we are, it is just like having; not greater or lesser. No difficulty, no conditions attached, just releasing oneself. The real secret of getting more can be summarised in two steps: Give first, and do not expect anything in return. When we let go and give open-handedly, what we require would come to us. On its own. Discover more about how Buy1GIVE1 (BOGO) can transform your business using Cause Marketing.
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