The Joy of Giving

"Giving involves us in a joyous celebration of life itself,
connecting us directly with the life source.
For joy to the world, experience the joy of giving."

Why the Joy of Giving?

This page is a celebration of giving: giving from and for the heart. By way of introduction, I'll share some of my thoughts on giving.

Giving did not come naturally to me. Though taught from an early age that the joy is in the giving it just didn't feel that way to me. Giving was about things and I liked things. I gave things, usually things that I thought the receiver would appreciate but things none the less. Because they weren't "my-things" there wasn't much invested in them and the act of giving offered few rewards beyond the weak smile following the receiver's obligatory 'thank-you'.

Often the message of the medium in our global village is that meaning or happiness can somehow be found through the possession of a bigger television, a new car or a faster processor. If this is true why do so many seem lost? Why is there always need for another thing to buy? Of course, though, I received lots of things ultimately there were never enough to satisfy. A good portion of my life was spent trying to find happiness in the acquisition of things. You can imagine the failure.

The profound effects of true giving became apparent through my association with volunteers. I discovered that true giving is the giving of self. The implications changed my life.

Giving implies two things: that what is being offering will have value to the receiver and that enough is thought of the receiver to offer them something of value. People giving their time, their talent, their worth are are making an incredibly powerful self statement. They are testifying to and defining what they are by giving of themselves. Giving becomes an act of self discovery.

I said earlier that the discovery of true giving changed my life. That isn't really accurate. Giving gave me a life. The attention focused on others' needs is a mirror in which I can see myself for the first time. Each act of reaching out is another block in the foundation of my life. At last , I am finally building on a rock.

"Foodies" are very lucky. Because our passion is found in connection with a fundamental human need, opportunities for meaningful giving abound. The joy of cooking is closely associated with the joy of sharing with others. Giving sustenance fulfills the hunger in the belly and the soul.

Thank you for letting me share. Over the course of time I will be sharing more about the joy of giving and how it can relate to our love of food. The impact of giving on others is always a revelation.

Please, consider sharing your story with me.
I'll look forward to hearing from you.

Tom Ohling
chefpro@teleport.com

**Why the Joy of Giving?**
This page is a celebration of giving: giving from and for the heart. By way of introduction, I'll share some of my thoughts on giving. Giving did not come naturally to me. Though taught from an early age that the joy is in the giving it just didn't feel that way to me. Giving was about things and I liked things. I gave things, usually things that I thought the receiver would appreciate but things none the less. Because they weren't "my-things" there wasn't much invested in them and the act of giving offered few rewards beyond the weak smile following the receiver's obligatory 'thank-you'. Often the message of the medium in our global village is that meaning or happiness can somehow be found through the possession of a bigger television, a new car or a faster processor. If this is true why do so many seem lost? Why is there always need for another thing to buy? Of course, though, I received lots of things ultimately there were never enough to satisfy. A good portion of my life was spent trying to find happiness in the acquisition of things. You can imagine the failure. The profound effects of true giving became apparent through my association with volunteers. I discovered that true giving is the giving of self. The implications changed my life. Giving implies two things: that what is being offering will have value to the receiver and that enough is thought of the receiver to offer them something of value. People giving their time, their talent, their worth are are making an incredibly powerful self statement. They are testifying to and defining what they are by giving of themselves. Giving becomes an act of self discovery. I said earlier that the discovery of true giving changed my life. That isn't really accurate. Giving gave me a life. The attention focused on others' needs is a mirror in which I can see myself for the first time. Each act of reaching out is another block in the foundation of my life. At last , I am finally building on a rock. "Foodies" are very lucky. Because our passion is found in connection with a fundamental human need, opportunities for meaningful giving abound. The joy of cooking is closely associated with the joy of sharing with others. Giving sustenance fulfills the hunger in the belly and the soul. Thank you for letting me share. Over the course of time I will be sharing more about the joy of giving and how it can relate to our love of food. The impact of giving on others is always a revelation. Please, consider sharing your story with me. I'll look forward to hearing from you. Tom Ohling chefpro@teleport.com

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I welcome your comments, suggestions, additions, and requests. bcouch@recipelink.com