Spiritual Solutions

(Note: This is the ninth lesson adapted from the series “Steady in the Wind,” by Ann Strong. Ann kindly gave me permission to adapt and use parts of the lessons in my blog and newsletter. I believe you will find much value in applying the twelve life principles covered in this course. Enjoy!)

WELCOME TO:
Lesson Nine: Generosity

Please listen to the audio first by clicking on the link below, and then let’s read the lesson together.

Lesson Nine: Generosity

As you give, so you receive. Giving generously means living generously. A little couplet by John Bunyan goes like this: “A man there was and they called him mad, and the more he gave, the more he had.” This is a principle, for giving creates a need and, by the vacuum law, the need draws the supply and draws it beautifully.

As we give of our time, money, energy and resources, we set in motion time, money, energy and resources becoming available to us, coming back to us. As we give generously, we express our trust that we will always have what we need. We have no reason to hoard or hold back. We know we are taken care of.

Get the thought of sharing a bit of love, understanding, blessing, thoughtfulness with every person. Seek ways of actually helping; the little you do is better than the lot you say you wish you could do. Giving the idea of peace and love and understanding is the greatest demonstration of the law of increase. Losing nothing and gaining much, when we get into this kind of consciousness of giving it becomes a flow in our lives, and we find it easy to give of our substance and our efforts and our time. We see a tremendous return because of the law of “Give and you will receive.”

Living generously feels good. We are living from our bigger self, sharing ourselves, connecting more deeply with others. As we feel good, living from our bigger selves, we are more attractive, attracting wonderful people and opportunities into our lives.

Living generously puts us in life’s flow. Giving creates movement, circulation, growth. With generosity we activate generous reciprocity. We have no reason to fear the wind. We know we are always taken care of.

AN EXAMPLE OF GENEROSITY

A man was out of work, depressed, frantic, too young to retire and lacking the financial security to support retirement. Yet, as far as the world was concerned he was too old to get a new job. He took a good look at himself and discovered he was not really looking for work; he had merely been trying to get on a payroll to allay his sense of insecurity. So, he asked himself if there was not something he could do, somewhere that he could give something of himself.

This was a new concept for him, giving of himself for free instead of for monetary compensation. Anyway, he volunteered his services to a friend who was struggling to get a business started, asking for and receiving no pay. During a few weeks’ period he was able to donate a great deal of wisdom gained through experience and other help, so that the business righted itself and went on to do quite nicely.

The other thing that happened was that this new activity opened a flow in his own consciousness. He became part of a giving process and, connected to or coincidental to it, he was led to a marvelous position as a consultant in his own field. The man discovered the wonder of giving, and it changed his life.

ALWAYS ERR ON THE SIDE OF GENEROSITY

Haven’t we all had an experience of deciding to do the “bare minimum” in a certain circumstance? I know for myself when I have overridden that urge and given generously of my time or money, I felt great. And, I’ve opened up a valve for more - more for me, more for the recipient of my generosity and connection to the flow of the universe. We also both have the opportunity for expanded awareness of natural, generous flow. When I have followed my fear impulse to give “as little as possible,” I felt constricted, cheap and small.

God has given us the entire kingdom. As individual expressions of God, why would we give less? Let us always err on the side of generosity.

PRACTICE GENEROSITY THIS WEEK

Contemplate how you would like to be more generous with your time, money, energy and resources.

Put into action two or three of your ideas.

Record how you feel living more generously. What new opportunities and possibilities come your way?

CONTINUE PRACTICING DETACHMENT

How consistently do you KNOW that your good comes from one source only; God? That you serve on God’s payroll? Can you completely focus on the other person’s situation and needs, rather than your own? Are you recording in your evidence journal what happens by focusing on detachment?

CONTINUE PRACTICING GRATITUDE

Are you making entries in your gratitude journal daily? How are you doing with looking for something about which you can be grateful even in challenging situations? Are you recording in your evidence journal what happens by focusing on gratitude even in tough situations?

CONTINUE PRACTICING OPENNESS

In what situations can you brainstorm several possible new ways to proceed? If you get stuck, ask a friend or colleague to help you brainstorm options. Record your findings and opportunities in your evidence journal.

CONTINUE PRACTICING AWARENESS

Several times this week, check in with yourself. How do you feel, physically and emotionally? What will make you feel even better? Look for opportunities. Talk about what feels most exciting to you. Ask for what you want. Find out what others need. Give it to them. Record your findings in your evidence journal.

CONTINUE PRACTICING COMMITMENT

Have you written your commitment for your life or work? Are you recording evidence in your journal that supports your commitment?

CONTINUE PRACTICING COMMANDING 

What have you chosen to command or claim? Are you recording evidence in your journal? What is showing up for you?

CONTINUE PRACTICING VISIONING

Whenever you feel stuck, do you write out a vision? Are you tracking evidence for all your visions?

CONTINUE PRACTICING DEEP LISTENING

Are you integrating both deep listening within and deep listening to others into your natural, regular routine?

CONTINUE PRACTICING YOUR OBSERVER ROLE

Is observation becoming a natural part of your life and work?

Next week, you will receive Lesson Ten: Knowledge Sharing.

Until then, have fun with generosity, detachment, gratitude, openness, awareness, commitment, commanding, visioning, listening deeply and observing.

God is Blessing You, Right Now!

Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham
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Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham, a Unity minister for over thirty-six years, invites you to enjoy more articles and/or subscribe to his free inspirational newsletter, Spiritual Solutions or go directly to the Spiritual Solutions Blog

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