A Lesson on Giving

Good afternoon everyone! I hope your day has been blessed and enlightening! I have a fun and interesting story to share with you that happened to me yesterday. Has anyone else experienced an encounter like this? Please feel free to leave any comments, thoughts and personal experiences.

Yesterday I witnessed a very valuable lesson in life. My friends and I were hanging out enjoying a beautiful South Florida summer afternoon having some drinks at this restaurant on the water. At some point I noticed this older man sitting by himself enjoying a cold beer. He was gazing out to the water and seemed to be in deep thought. I didn’t know what it was, but something intrigued me about this man and I had this notion come to me; I should buy him a drink. I’m not really sure what it was that motivated me to do so, but I asked my server to send him a drink and put it on my tab. I continued to carry on with my friends as we enjoyed our appetizers. When our server came to check on us she told me the man I had sent the drink to was very surprised and so happy. He hadn’t “had a drink bought for him in 50 years.” It pleased me that this man was tickled by the gesture. It had begun to rain and the man came out from the rain to underneath the patio where we were sitting.  He approached our table and introduced himself as Teddy. He was an Irishman from Boston and had lived in Florida for the past 20 years. He thanked me for the drink and then like a wise guru he began to pour his wisdom and knowledge on me. I listened to him share his thoughts on philosophy, life, and his favorite books with great intrigue. I spoke very little, but absorbed every word like a small inquisitive child. I genuinely enjoyed our long exchange and was so happy that I made a new friend. As the evening came to an end our server brought us our check. My friends and I were getting out our money to pay when Teddy insisted on picking up our check. We politely refused his generous offer, but he wasn’t taking no for an answer. He handed our waitress and $100 dollar bill and told her it was on him. I couldn’t believe how kind this gentleman was. We all graciously thanked him, still in disbelief. He told us that money is essentially nothing because you can’t take it when you’re gone, so we should give as much as you can while you’re here on earth. We conversed for a few more minutes and then said our goodbyes. He thanked me again for sending him the drink and said it really made his day. He told me that fellowship and spending good times with your friends and loved ones is something to always treasure and to never take for granted, then he smiled as if to say he enjoyed the time we spent as much as I had. I went home very appreciative of the experience we just shared and the new friend I had made.

The lesson I learned in this experience was to give with love with no expectations of receiving. I had not expected to receive such great wisdom, let alone have our meal paid for. When you graciously give to the universe, the universe gives it back to you 10 fold. This world has trained us from a young age that there is scarcity and limited resources. This mindset creates an illusion of lack, deprivation, competition, and greed. We stop ourselves from giving sometimes because we feel we do not have enough to share. But you can only receive what you give away. The fear of lack and scarcity is what creates more lack and scarcity. When you’re constantly thinking “I don’t have enough,” “I’m deprived,” and other thoughts of deficiency you bring more scarcity into your life. We can never receive greatness if we fail to give it first. We can never receive abundance if we are constantly hoarding what we feel are valued possessions. Give, give, and give some more. We are not here on this earth to get as much as we can, we are here to share and give all of our love away.

Love unconditionally, give with a gracious heart, and never expect anything in return.

Sending out my love,

Jen