Heart and Mind

Although I am writing this blog in December, my message is not about the holidays. There is no “Ho, Ho, Ho” to be found in this article. You will find neither reindeer or mistletoe. Instead there is one simple message I think worth sharing: happiness through giving. Genuine giving can bring you incredible joy while assisting others on their paths to happiness. The greatest, most wonderful and sublime state is not Montana; it is the state of unconditional charity towards others. This the type of sentiment that is based on our ability to empathize with others while actively doing things to improve the situation of those around us.

It is more than merely sending a card.

We are all members of one humanity and in that sense must honor and give to others in order to benefit all of society. For things to work best, the power of love and giving must be heart-based, not negotiated only through the mind. The heart is the source and repository of love and joy. The mind by itself is not capable of feeling emotions and is used to process those emotions. You can teach your heart to resonate with love and joy. Too many people love according to their 'heads' and not their 'hearts.

But this takes effort. I wish it were as easy as typing these words, but as humans we are not capable of avoiding negative feelings. Circumstances of life catch us up into states of negative vibration. If we remain in these states we cannot experience love or joy, and our mind will continue to torment us with negative thoughts and resentments. It's all about refocusing our energy and efforts into positive channels. For example, anger at the politicians who allow homelessness and starvation can be transmuted into the joy of giving food to the needy.

The final thing I want to mention is to remember the origin of our humanity in the natural world. There is a rhythm of life and compassion for living things within the natural world. We can feel pure joy as we interact with nature other human beings. So let’s remember to turn off our electronics and other distractions which pull us away from our original nature of empathy and compassion. Not permanently, mind you, but just long enough to breathe and notice those around us.

As we aspire to live our lives within these principles we will find ourselves experiencing the pure joy of giving to ourselves and others. Let’s aspire to this on a daily basis, not just during the Christmas season. Giving does not have to be a present, nor money, although these are appreciated when appropriate. Giving can be time and energy and loving kindness, not just volunteering your time in a shelter.

Giving can be loving thoughts, prayers and meditations. With all the heart ache and chaos in this world, giving can be prayers for peace and ending wars. Giving can be signing petitions. Giving can be joining with others to improve the life conditions of other people or animals in this world. January will arrive after Christmas with the opportunity for New Years Resolutions. We don’t have to wait for January; we can start today, living in our hearts and in a state of unconditional love and joy.