Dharma Frog showed up extra early last week, so this Wednesday I was up at first light and had the kettle on for tea, by the time my teacher reached my lily pad. He was happy to see that this week I was awake, alert, and ready for the day's lesson. I had caught a couple of juicy worms early and offered one to Dharma, along with his morning cup of tea. He smiled and said, "Irwin, funny you should offer me a worm this morning. My lesson for today is on generosity. The worm you share is always fatter, my boy." I like worms as much, if not more, than any frog so, of course, I was eager to learn how I could make them bigger and fatter!
Then, very abruptly, I had the proverbial wind knocked out of my sails when the Wise One explained that the worms wouldn't actually become bigger; that they would only feel bigger because I shared it with someone else. Still, this idea intrigued me and I wanted to know more. "Irwin, do remember when you got a gift as a tadpole? It didn't really matter too much what was inside, did it? The box was a little mystery and it was just for you. Probably, it was something you wanted, as well." I nodded in agreement. Receiving a gift, even now, makes me feel special and appreciated.
"And Irwin, how do YOU feel when you give a gift to someone else?" "I feel good, Sir. It's as much fun for me to watch another frog open a gift I've given them as it is for me to open a gift that's been given to me!" "Exactly!" he said. "There's something inextricably satisfying in watching another unwrap a gift and respond with amazement and happiness. You've made them smile! Doesn't THAT make the little gift seem bigger?"
I certainly didn't have to think about that question very long. It is an awesome feeling to give the gift of joy and happiness to another. Seeing their smile means far more than whatever little trinket may be in box. My mentor added that these same feelings happen when we give back to the world around us.
Many of us are far more privaleged than others and as soon as we realize that, we often have an innate desire to do what we can to help out. My teacher said that, as a species, we can't move forward if a significant number of us are left in the shadows. Civilizations of "Haves and Have Nots" have never lasted. There needs to be a greater balance for the world to turn the way it was designed to. When we become top-heavy, our civilization tends to spin out-of-control; we become out of balance.
As Dharma finished his tea and worm, he reminded me, "Tadpole, it is through giving that we truly enrich and perpetuate our own lives, as well as the the lives of those we have helped. And that is how we make the worm we share, bigger. In this instance, Little One, bigger is definitely better."
I didn't have any important plans today and Dharma Frog's message had really hit home. So I decided to catch a bunch of worms and take them to my local bug pantry. I love the way I feel when I do something good; it makes me feel connected to something bigger than me. And I know that whatever "gift" I am able to give, it'll bring a great big smile to another's face. It doesn't get any better, or bigger, than that!
Then, very abruptly, I had the proverbial wind knocked out of my sails when the Wise One explained that the worms wouldn't actually become bigger; that they would only feel bigger because I shared it with someone else. Still, this idea intrigued me and I wanted to know more. "Irwin, do remember when you got a gift as a tadpole? It didn't really matter too much what was inside, did it? The box was a little mystery and it was just for you. Probably, it was something you wanted, as well." I nodded in agreement. Receiving a gift, even now, makes me feel special and appreciated.
"And Irwin, how do YOU feel when you give a gift to someone else?" "I feel good, Sir. It's as much fun for me to watch another frog open a gift I've given them as it is for me to open a gift that's been given to me!" "Exactly!" he said. "There's something inextricably satisfying in watching another unwrap a gift and respond with amazement and happiness. You've made them smile! Doesn't THAT make the little gift seem bigger?"
I certainly didn't have to think about that question very long. It is an awesome feeling to give the gift of joy and happiness to another. Seeing their smile means far more than whatever little trinket may be in box. My mentor added that these same feelings happen when we give back to the world around us.
Many of us are far more privaleged than others and as soon as we realize that, we often have an innate desire to do what we can to help out. My teacher said that, as a species, we can't move forward if a significant number of us are left in the shadows. Civilizations of "Haves and Have Nots" have never lasted. There needs to be a greater balance for the world to turn the way it was designed to. When we become top-heavy, our civilization tends to spin out-of-control; we become out of balance.
As Dharma finished his tea and worm, he reminded me, "Tadpole, it is through giving that we truly enrich and perpetuate our own lives, as well as the the lives of those we have helped. And that is how we make the worm we share, bigger. In this instance, Little One, bigger is definitely better."
I didn't have any important plans today and Dharma Frog's message had really hit home. So I decided to catch a bunch of worms and take them to my local bug pantry. I love the way I feel when I do something good; it makes me feel connected to something bigger than me. And I know that whatever "gift" I am able to give, it'll bring a great big smile to another's face. It doesn't get any better, or bigger, than that!
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