The Way to a Wonderful Life Weekly Message, Rev-Bates

I have two favorite quotes regarding giving; the first and my favorite is from Maya Angelou: "When you learn, teach. When you get, give." The second is form the practical spiritual wisdom of Florence Scovel Shinn: "Giving opens the way for receiving."

As you will note from the above quotes, there is an assumption from both women that we already have something to give. This is always the truth. The truth too, is that when we give, we are not giving to individuals, charitable organizations, religious or spiritual organizations or teachers, but to the core of our soul that requires that we give. Most of us are so unconscious in our giving that we don't register in our mind that we are giving. Every day that we are awake we cannot help but give. Our words, our thoughts, our imaginings all become part of the Collective Consciousness in which we live. These things become part of our individual consciousness as well. This is the "subjective" part of our life that oftentimes brings experiences in our lives that surprise us; perhaps even shock us at times.

We cannot count the number of times or the value of our giving on a daily basis. Yet, if we look at our life experiences objectively, we can figure out fairly well how our giving has affected not only our individual life experience, but also the world in which we live. Metaphysics will explain this as the "Law of Correspondence" and it is an accurate explanation. Our use of this universal, eternal and immutable Law, is no less automatic than the action of gravity on the physical. This is why we are always cautioned to choose our thoughts, our words, our actions and yes, our imaginings too, wisely. As Dr. O. C. Smith would say, "we need to put our consciousness under surveillance."

                    Not only is it important to acknowledge that we are always giving, it is also of utmost importance that when we receive, we acknowledge the gift, no matter what form in may be in. I read the Advice Column six days a week titled Miss Manners. It is written by Judith Martin. One of the changes I have noticed during the past five to ten years are the number of queries she receives regarding "thank you" cards and acknowledgements. Acknowledgement of gifts received has become a rarity, especially in the younger generations. In order to open the consciousness to receiving, we must acknowledge that which we receive. It is not just a sign of good   etiquette, but also a spiritual practice that will register in our consciousness, that we "freely give and freely receive." Acknowledgement of the gift is "giving" and as Florence Scovel Shinn teaches, "giving opens the way for receiving."

                  The American Mystic Ernest Holmes, author of The Science of Mind, writes in his chapter on "The Way It Works": "We are thinking, willing, knowing, conscious centers of Life. We are surrounded by, immersed in, and there is flowing through us a creative Something ... call it what you will. The sum total of all our thought, will, purpose, and belief creates a tendency in this Law that causes It to react to us according to the sum total of that belief."

               We can realize this simple truth "to give is to live" as we become more and more conscious of who we are and what we are. This self-realization may lead to an amazing transformation in every area of our lives.

Keep the Faith!
Rev-Bates
(Reverend Dr. Henry Lee Bates)



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