We all have skills and talents unique to the world. We have ample assets we can share to help others get a leg up and move toward a better place. Conversely, all others have the ability to share the same with us. So where is the break point? Where is the point where you accept that your sharing is no longer a productive activity for you or for the other?
This concept is something I’ve struggled with for years. I believe in doing no harm, sharing my gifts, etc. However, I also believe in a return on investment. ROI does not have to be monetary, it can merely be perceived openness, appreciation and/or growth in others. When we give from a place of love and kindness it does not mean we need to exempt the expectation that the recipient will receive with good intent and utilize, even if it is just through consideration, the gifts we have shared. This concept in itself may help keep us out of the realm of imposing our thoughts and wishes on others. Conversely we should be greatly appreciative of those sharing their time and talents with us and know they are gifts not to be taken for granted, they have tremendous value.
What I have discovered in the past week has brought much clarity to my ongoing questioning of when is it enough. Enough is when your intuition starts poking you. Not your ego, but your intuition. Intuition knows when perhaps your gifts may be needed elsewhere. Intuition and our energy help guide us to where we may best serve. They protect us from the ego and its propensity to want to be ‘right’ even if it is in place of being ‘happy.’
The best way I have ever heard this summarized was by a wonderful new friend, Lucy, that I met last weekend. Lucy said, “Even Christ shook the sand from his sandals with kindness and moved on.” It is the ‘with kindness’ piece that is the difference. You will either be doing it with kindness when intuition nudges you to, or you will follow the ego and most likely end up doing it anyway without kindness and end the scenario in frustration. Obviously one of the two scenarios ends much better for all parties involved.