Are you feeling a little overwhelmed these days? There is the end of the year frenzy of activity that we are familiar with and then there is the unexpected, uncertainty created by random acts of violence, which are very present for all of us today.

Are you getting inundated by emails and in your mailbox with solicitations to give to worthy causes? Pleas are being made on television for various organizations; there are numerous relief effort requests for disasters and diseases. Those without shelter, without food and without hope surround us and yet we tend to keep our distance. What can we do when the need seems so much greater than the resources we have to give? How can we get more peace in our lives? What can we do, really?

We do have options. We can lament that we are unable to do all that we like and become paralyzed evaluating the magnitude of the gap between what we would like to do and what is realistically possible for us to manage.  We can stress over those starving in developing countries around the world or we can throw up our hands declare that life stinks and go into a self absorbed trance meeting only our personal needs and desires. That state characterized by over indulgences of self into things like: food, alcohol, spending, entertainment, and time on mind numbing tasks. Those activities that focus on the minor details and fail to consider the “big picture” are truly what cause us to feel overwhelmed! When we focus on what we can give ourselves instead of what we can give others by being more of ourselves that causes us to be stressed! By failing to see, appreciate and share the abundance in our lives we miss opportunities everyday to connect with others and make sense of our purpose here, at this time, on the planet.

Look at yourself honestly. What do people routinely ask of you and you enjoy doing? Do they ask you to sing? Then you are probably a gifted singer, your voice brings pleasure to others. Give of yourself in that area. Are people always asking you to bake that famous pound cake? Then bake that and give it away. Do people enjoy being in your company? Then make some time to stop by and visit with them. Is there someone in your life that says they like to laugh with you? Give them a call and have a few laughs. Have you been told by others that you are very helpful at getting things organized? Help them to get organized.

You have gifts in areas that do not require your money they do usually require your time though. We all have the same number of hours each day. Can you be using that precious commodity to improve the lives of others?

I remember an important occasion when I gave of my time many years ago. My mother was alive then, she lived alone around the corner from me in a small apartment. She had mentioned earlier that she really wanted to get her cabinets organized. I arranged my schedule checked to see if she would be at home, and went over and organized her entire kitchen. She was elated! Later she frequently talked about the time I came over and got everything in order for her. As I write about it now I have tears rolling down my cheeks. What a great memory I have of her happiness, which came from a gesture that was simply, me willingly sharing my gift of organization with my mother when she was in need. I will always remember those kinds of gifts with a sense of peace and knowing that I contributed something of value.

Unlike the time when I ate an entire two-pound box of See’s Candy without sharing, I still have good feelings about the times I have given to others out of my personal abundance. Whenever I share my God-given gifts with others I get benefits knowing that I am contributing to the well-being of the whole. I know that God will exponentially grow that gift to make my efforts increase beyond what I can see, not only in the lives of the recipients, I am blessed by giving too. God has so graciously given to us gifts that grow others and us. His way is of give, give His economy is healthy and self-sustaining! The Apostle Paul shares with us about the God of peace who gives us a peace that surpasses all understanding. (Philippians 4:7-9)

So in these hectic times when the scenarios of our daily lives coupled with the headlines of the daily “news” create and overwhelming array of shortcomings, I plead with you to tap into your personal reservoir of abundance and share with others. You will empower them to improve their lives and nurture yourself all at the same time. You may not be able to fly to that heavily impacted land and donate relief supplies. However, you can go into your own family, your own neighborhood, your own job or your own marriage and give from your heart and add to your peace, in this time of many troubles.

Take Inventory and Take Action!

If you are not clear on what your gifts are or how you can serve yourself and others through the abundance of your gifting, contact me for a free consultation and I will help. Help is very available be part of the solution, not the overwhelming problem, gain more peace in your life!

Love,

Deborah

“Lighting the path to loving your neighbor as yourself.”