Giving

It is better to give than to receive. Sharing is caring. Those are just some of the sayings that I used to hear when I was growing up. I am sure that you have heard of it as well. How do you feel whenever you receive a gift from someone? Do you feel like you needed to give a gift as well? But how about when you give, do you expect something in return?

When I was a kid, I really love receiving a lot of gifts. Who doesn't right? We all love to receive gifts especially if it is really what we wanted. But at a young age, I was already the type who loves to give gifts to people. I even bought my parents some gifts during Christmas. I know that it was partly my dad's money but I was still the one who thought of what to give him. I even requested that we should have an exchange gift but they were not up for that because we were only 4 in the family. My dad said that it was no fun. There was a moment when I felt that my parents did not appreciate what I got for them so I stopped buying them gifts. Ouch! Have you also experienced that? What did you do?

When my parents did not like what I got for them, I only focused on giving gifts to my friends and my brother. I was in high school when I learned that my brother was envious of me because I used to get what I want. What I did was I saved some of my allowances so I can give him whatever he wanted. From high school to college, I used to give him what he wants. He was not the type of person who would ask our parents for material things. I think he only requested for a computer that we needed to share together, clothes and shoes during his first year in college and a car. But my brother would request a lot from me. I do not know why he would ask things for me and I also do not know why I would give in to his requests. I felt like I was a mother giving everything what her child wants. LOL. I saw how happy and excited my brother was whenever I would give what he wanted and I think that is where I first felt that satisfaction of giving.

Then when I have started working, of course I enjoyed my salary all to myself and that is where I became distant to my family. It was only during my second to the last job when I first started to treat them. I think I have mentioned this a couple of times already before. I just stopped treating them when I resigned from my last job. Then slowly I started to treat them again this year. There is that enormous sense of satisfaction and fulfillment whenever I get to give something to my loved ones especially to my family.

Have you received a gift but you do not have something for them in return? I DID! LOL. Most of you are aware that I have been bum for quite some time now so I owe my high school friends a lot of birthday and Christmas gifts. I think the last gift that I have for them was for 2018. When they were handing out their gifts during our Christmas 2019 gathering, I was just so chillaxed sitting there waiting for them to hand me their gifts for me. One of my friends was pregnant that time and she had a sensitive pregnancy so we held the gathering at their condominium. She said that we can get our gifts under the Christmas tree. I even joked that they can also find their gifts from me under the tree. LOL. But I have already added some items on my cart though I have not yet checked them out. My reason is the pandemic. I will be able to buy them soon but not today since I would not be able to give it to them right away.

Earlier I have said that slowly I was able to give something to my loved ones especially to my parents. I know that it may not be as huge or as expensive as what my brother gives them but I am happy that I get to give something that is from my heart.

Yesterday I bought some chips or snacks but when we got home, I realized that most of the items that I bought were all for my mom. LOL. I also bought my dad what he requested and when he was going to pay me, I told him that he does not need to pay me. He was surprised then he said that he also wanted a prepaid load. He asked if he need not to pay for that as well. I said that it is my treat and everything was for free. And he got really curious as to where I got the money. He thinks that my brother gave me an allowance again. I just said that I still have some money left from the allowance that my brother gave me last month. He said that he wishes to experience more free in the future. LOL.

I cannot wait for the time that I would be clear from my debts so that I can share even a little expense here in our house. I do not know what to say to my dad when that happens but for my mom I believe she thinks that it was from Lyka app. LOL. She even asked me this morning what I was playing but I was busy with the FREE BCH app and Piratewins that time. I am sure that she is really curious as to where I get the money. Well there is a famous saying that says "work hard in silence and let your success be the noise" right? And that is what I am currently doing.

Giving has filled our hearts with so much joy. It has this sense of satisfaction that nourishes our soul. We all have experienced giving and receiving. But I hope that when we give, we should not expect anything in return. Giving is not only about the amount of money or material things. For me, we can give even a single smile or a minute of our time, some words of encouragement or a simple appreciation can also be considered as acts of giving as long as they were all given from the heart. Give love and experience the joy of giving.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. — 2 Corinthian 9:7 NIV

P.S. lead image was the surprise birthday feast for me from my friend, A, last year. I used to mention her in my articles. I really did not expect that she would send me that much food. Even my mom was so touched.