YOUR LIFE A-Z:GENEROUSITY

PRACTICE GENEROSITY

GENEROSITY

The holiday season can if we are open to sharing, open our hearts to GENEROSITY.  It is a time when food banks, angel trees, and charities are appealing to you to open your wallets in the spirit of the holiday.  This year allow yourself to be a little more GENEROUS than in years past.  Allow your heart to filled with GENEROSITY and open your wallet to gift to those less fortunate than you.  You never know when it might be you whose life takes a downward turn and find yourself in need.  However, don’t be GENEROUS out of fear, be GENEROUS out of a heart of gratitude.  There is always more than enough and plenty to go around.  Ever notice that the stingier you are the more restrictive your life becomes?  On the other hand, the more you give the more that is available in abundance to give.  GENEROSITY is shared out of freedom. Scrooge exists out of fear and bitterness.  If you are afraid to let go of your purse strings then this is a perfect time to test the paradox of GENEROSITY.   Set aside a percentage of your holiday budget (you do have one don’t you?) and give that percentage to those in need during this holiday season.  You may discover that by the beginning of the New Year you feel more wealthy and enriched than you have noticed in years before.  GENEROSITY it magical in that it gives back by elevating your mood, makes you feel happy and productive.  Practice GENEROSITY this holiday and watch it multiply.

YOUR LIFE A-Z:VOLUNTEER

THESE CHARACTERS ARE ALWAYS READY TO MAKE YOU SMILE

VOLUNTEER

Each of you is very busy and has little discretionary time left to give one more ounce anywhere. This blog is not about burdening you with one more thing.  First let’s look at the little things you already do that fall into the category of VOLUNTEERING.  Make a list of everything that you did this week and look for the hidden VOLUNTEERING in the list.  Did you call a needy friend?  Did you take food to a sick neighbor?  Those are actions that fall into the category of VOLUNTEERING. Give yourself praise for the small things that you already do in within your normal schedule and congratulate yourself for your small acts as a VOLUNTEER. Next, notice the ushers at museums, plays, concerts, and sporting events the next time you go.  Most of those positions are VOLUNTEER positions.  Pretty sweet deal isn’t it?  VOLUNTEERS get to see amazing performances for only directing you to your seat. Being a VOLUNTEER can be fun and relaxing.  In many scenarios the VOLUNTEER receives so much more by giving.  If your life is lacking something,  I do encourage you to make room in your life to VOLUNTEER.  You don’t have to VOLUNTEER weekly or even monthly.  You might discover that serving the homeless on Thanksgiving or Christmas once a year is sufficient for you.  I believe many VOLUNTEER’s feel guilty if he/she is not VOLUNTEERING.  If that is the case, take a break from VOLUNTEERING and go play golf or see the latest movies instead. Guilt is not the reason to VOLUNTEER and may be a sign you are burned out. Enjoy your life.

YOUR LIFE A-Z:HELP

HELP COMES IN MANY COLORS

HELP

Oh my, what is the difference between the four letter word HELP and the four letter word GIVE? Clearly the words are similar.  They both require compassion, kindness, and mindfulness.   The Twenty-Minute Coach invites you to think about the word HELP as something that really needs to be done.  If someone has fallen then he/she will appreciate your HELP in getting up. When you respond to a disaster situation with physical labor then you are HELPING verses just giving money.  The giving of money, of course, is HELP.  HELP is action that requires you to do something outside of your normal routine and giving is something you practice at least during the holiday season.  How do you HELP?   How do you go beyond what is expected of you and HELP your family and friends?  How do you HELP strangers?  First and foremost, HELP yourself.   Self HELP means going out of your normal and natural patterns to actively participate in changing something to HELP your life better.  HELP also allows us to feel good about our actions of compassion and kindness.  It is important to acknowledge that you are not alone on this planet and reach out to others to ask for HELP.  Asking for HELP is not sign of weakness, it is an act of courage to acknowledge that you can’t do everything all by yourself.  Allow others the gift of feeling good about themselves by allowing them to HELP you.  I am asking for your HELP.  I want 500 likes on IN A MOMENT’S NOTICE page by the end of July.  HELP me by suggesting to your friends that 

YOUR LIFE A-Z: GIVE

THERE IS ALWAYS ENOUGH

GIVE…GIVING…GAVE

The word GIVE implies to GIVE something to someone without expecting anything in return.  However, complex emotions often attach themselves to the word GIVE.  Often jealousy and competition compete for space in our heads when analyzing who received what, who reciprocated, or how much to spend or what was spent on certain gifts that were GIVEN.   Kindness and compassion are kindred spirits that come along side the word GIVE and allow to experience joy when we release the heart and GIVE.  Take an inventory about your values around GIVE.  Who do you GIVE to and under what circumstances do you choose to GIVE?  How do you decide which charity to GIVE to and do you only GIVE to receive a tax deduction?  To GIVE and have no strings attached is a great personal value.   When we GIVE we naturally receive a sense of personal joy that makes our insides light up and enjoy a sense of meaning in our life.  What if you GAVE bottled water to every homeless person you passed this summer, how many thirsty lives have been made a little better as a result of your GIVING. To GIVE requires that you put yourself in someone else’s shoes for a moment and imagine what it is that you can GIVE that will bring true enjoyment to his/her life.  GIVE today.  GIVE blood.  GIVE food.  Go shopping for very special birthday gifts and Christmas presents, so you can GIVE mindfully.  Do not procrastinate FINSH your GIVING today.  

YOUR LIFE A-Z: XENODOCHIAL

Be Kind

XENODOCHIAL

Today I heard a news clip about a wealthy person in the 1% who wants to stop the anger at the 1% by giving back his wealth to strangers. You can find the story at:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/25/hidden-cash_n_5390074.html?ir=Business.   XENODOCHIAL means exactly that: “being friendly to strangers.”  How awesome is that?  The 1% person has found a creative and fun way to give back to strangers without having the hassles of a committee, corporate overhead or the minutia of executive structure.  He/she just goes out every day and hides a $1,000 dollars in different amounts through out the city and then tweets the clues to the hiding places.  What a way to practice XENODOCHIAL!  How can you practice XENODOCHIAL by being friendly to strangers today?  Notice how your judgments get in your way and the chatter in your head stops you.  As Westerner’s raised to be cautious and careful I am sure many of you have already created crime scenes and excuses as to why this stranger’s XENODOCHIAL will not work.  Rather than focus on what does not work or what you can’t do change your focus to practicing ten acts of XENODOCHIAL and when you can check off ten of those acts, focus on how much fun you had being a XENODOCHIAL Wizard.  Life is more fun the more you play.  Don’t let anything get in the way of playful opportunities.  Here in the desert it is easy to carry extra water and give it to the homeless.  What are things that you can do today and forever?

St Nicholas Day and the Labyrinth

Tomorrow, December 6, is St. Nick’s day. Legend has it that St. Nick was an orphan boy himself and that he always took special interest in giving to orphans and children. He would go throughout his village and toss sacks of coins through windows and if the windows were shut, then he would toss them on the roof, where they would come down the chimney. Thus, St. Nick’s legend developed from very humble beginnings and to the commercialism of Santa Claus that we have today.


Walking the Labyrinth while reflecting on the real meaning of Christmas, one that actually began out of benevolence and giving of the real St. Nick and not a baby in the manger, then Christmas can take on a whole different meaning for you, what can we give, vs. what can we get?

As you work on developing your own personal relationship with the Labyrinth, I would like to suggest that you take a Labyrinth walk in the spirit of giving. Start with presenting yourself at the opening of the Labyrinth and as you walk from circuit to circuit imagine holding your heart in the palms of your hands. Ask for the mystery of the Labyrinth to heal your heart and open it to be a heart of love and generosity. Each time you find yourself coming across a fearful thought, breath in deeply and let your breath go slowly, releasing the fear to the heart of the Labyrinth and taking the next step forward.

When you arrive at the center of the Labyrinth, imagine yourself placing your heart in the hands of a loving and generous Spirit of Kindness and allow the feeling of unconditional love to wash over you, releasing your hurt and fear and gifting you with an inner peace and unconditional acceptance.

Walk out of the Labyrinth with the gratitude of St. Nick, generous in spirit, full of hope, peace and unconditional love. From that space of gratitude, find ways to give generously this Holiday Season in meaningful ways.