Give and Receive

In this world it is not what we take up but what we give up that makes us right.

- Henry Beecher

There is a very simple principle that people cannot seem to get the hang of - as you give, so you receive. People find it difficfult to believe that it is necessary to give first and give righteously. If you only give to get, you will not receive. If you give out of fear, you will not receive. Many people do not believe they have enough to give. That is because they may be thinking in terms of money only. If you do not have money, give your time, talent and energy. Give a smile. Give a prayer. Give anonymously without expectation of reconition. The spirit in which you give determines the manner in which you receive. If you give freely, joyously and willingly, you will receive abundantly. As you give what you have, what you are not using, you make room to receive something else in its place. Give of yourself, your knowledge and the information you have received, then prepare yourself for an outpouring of blessings. And by the way, do not expect it to come back to you from the person you gave it to.

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Thinking for Yourself

Think wrongly if you please, but in all cases think for yourself.

- Louisa May Alcott



One of the many things that drive parents crazy about their children is that children like to think for themselves. Parents do not always like that. Most of the time, parents do not understand why children believe as they do; they may also feel threatened when the children do not see tings the right way - that is, the parent's way. Parents have experience; they may believe children do not. Parents know the dangers and traps in life; children seem not to care. Parents believe that if children are left to their own devices, they may destroy themselves. Parents need to realize the difference between discipline and thinking, disobedience and thinking, disrespect and thinking. Children are just people living through a smaller body. They must learn to express themselves, to understand who they are and grow into who they are through their own thoughts. Just because children do not think as we do doesn't mean they are wrong.

Ideas are children of the mind.

You Don't Always Have to Have Something to Say

Every time we open our mouths we release a powerful energy. If we could learn to hold on to that energy, it could be used to nurture our dreams, heal our bodies and fuel our minds. But we always have so much to say. Talking can take us off the track, knock us off center and kill our dreams when we speak mindlessly. Talking is something we must learn to use, not something we must always do. There is a power in silence that energizes the mind, body and soul. Think of the sun, moon and stars. They all appear silent and never fail their job. There is wisdom in silence. Think of the mountains and trees. They never have anything to say, yet it takes great effort to bring them down. There is love in silence. Think of the development of a new life. Perfect timing, order and completion accomplished in total silence. Silence is an art, a tool of the wise. When we perfect the art of silence, chances are we will get a lot more done.