Self-full Giving

"Faithful words are not pleasant. Pleasant, or specious, words are not faithful.

The virtuous do not bandy arguments. Those who bandy arguments are not virtuous. The wise do not seek learning. Those who do so are not wise.

The Sage does not lay up hidden stores, The more he employs it on behalf of others the more he has for himself. The more he imparts to others, the more his own stores increase.

The TAO of Heaven confers benefit, and injures not. The TAO of the Sage acts, and does not strive." - Tao Te Ching - verse 81 - LAO TZU

The last four sentences of this verse beginning with "...The Sage does not..." can be translated as the wise one is he (or she) who does not let greed rule him.  He knows when enough is enough.  He receives what is necessary and gives the rest to others.  This is a fundamental rule to life and happiness.  Imagine if all the people of the world only took what was necessary for their life and allowed the rest to be shared amongst the remaining population.  Moreover, they were happy to do so.  What a concept!  Visualize whirled peas...the wise one knows that if this is the practice, then the reality will be just that, world peace and plenty of whirled peas. 

No more starvation or famine.  I have oft wondered why these things have existed.  What gives one person or a group of people the right to decide who gets to eat and who doesn't?  Why do corporations and governments legalize the dumping of poisons and hazardous materials into our ground and water supply, so they can yield more food, just to throw out what spoils instead of sending it to someone in need?  Has anyone done a study on how much edible food is literally thrown away in one day?  In industrialized nations, the numbers, I'm sure, are staggering.  Third world countries, minus their governments?  Probably a completely different picture.  They do not have that luxury. 

How many of the self-proclaimed righteous live in splendor while their neighbor scrapes the barrel?  I do not deny any person their rewards for hard work and diligence.  If the work is honest and fair, it is deserving that rewards should be given.  The rub exists when a person lives in extravagance and has little regard for the less fortunate.  We are all capable of being the philanthropist.  We are all capable of giving more of ourselves and only taking for ourselves what is necessary.  It is what we choose to do daily that makes us a philanthropist.  It is not a monetarily-valued contribution but a human-valued one that makes a difference. 

I know that my gifts and talents can bring great joy to others when shared.  I know there are those out there that benefit greatly from my ability to share.  If I was to keep to myself, everything that I give to others, I would have nothing.  A candle, once lit, cannot help but give its light to the world.  There are a million candles that have lit my path.  My hope is that my candle can light a million paths.

Remember that the Heavens exist to benefit, not harm.  The Gifts of Heaven shall abound when the Way of Heaven is lived. 

The information contained herein is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition, nor to insult or demean anyone or any being. Please respect this boundary. Otherwise, anything goes.