COMMENTARY: Giving

  • Published
  • By Chaplian (Capt.) Meade Adams
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Chapel

“The heart that gives, gathers,” said Tao Te Ching.

It is the season of giving and receiving, although I suspect most people around the country are focused on receiving. “What do I want? What am I going to get?” We are all familiar with the famous quote, “It is better to give than to receive” and I think most of us recognize the truth in this. I think of that feeling on Christmas morning when my kids rip open their gifts with such joy and excitement, or the look on your spouse’s face when they see the thoughtful gift they were given. That feeling is better by far than anything I could receive. The feeling of bringing joy, happiness, laughter and abundance into someone else’s life is unmatched.

This holiday season let’s turn our focus on giving. How can we make the biggest impact on someone’s life this holiday? Whether it is as simple as garnering the biggest smile we can get out of our children, or as benevolent as doing active work for those that are underprivileged, let us seek to foster a spirit of giving without looking for something in return. Let us give for giving’s sake.