Love more freely

A friend of mine told me that she had an assignment to do 3 unselfish acts for someone per day. It couldn’t be someone she wanted something from, like boss, mother or boyfriend, it had to be a stranger. She found the goal annoying and difficult, after some time of doing it (and being accountable to someone about it on a daily basis) she said her heart would feel more open the next morning.

I loved that.

she also said that when she focussed on what she could offer, rather than on what she could get from people and situations, she in fact, felt more loved.

A nice reminder that you have to give it away to get it.

A habit I’ve cultivated since setting this goal has been to make sure I say hello to at least one stranger a day. At first it was hard because really I’ve become a New Yorker, not looking at anyone around me. But on my block in the mornings, there are several shop-people working when I walk to the bus stop. One in particular, who always looked very sad (which made me not want to talk to him) I started saying hi to as I passed. At first, he just sort of mumbled back. Now he smiles when he sees me coming, before I even say anything and we exchange warm Good Mornings every day. It’s warmed my heart.

Currently it’s manifesting in the deepening of my relationships. I’m paying more attention when people talk, going out of my way more to nurture, trusting moe, letting go of more, and in general trying to be more present and available. Not sure when I should take this off my list as it is an ongoing process that I hope will never be “completed”, but I know I’ve improved since I started. I might set it as a recurring goal.

I read this today by Shakti Gawain (Creative Visualization) and it’s what I aspire to in my goal:

When it comes to outflowing, practice makes perfect. You must consciously practice it in order to get the experience of how good it feels. Here are some exercises in outflowing you can try if you need some expansion in this area:

Make a point to express more appreciation to others in as many ways as you can think of. Sit down right now and make a list of people to whom you would like to outflow love and appreciation, and think of a way you can do so to each one within the next week. Outflow can take the form of words, touching, a gift, a phone call or letter, money, or any sharing of your talents that makes another person feel good. Choose something that makes you feel especially good too, even if it’s a little more difficult for you.

Practice speaking more words of thanks, appreciation and admiration to people when you feel like it. “It was kind of you to help me.” “I want you to know that I appreciate that.”

Go through your things and find things that you don’t really want or use very often and give them to others who will appreciate them more.

If you’re a person who tries to spend as little money as possible and always hunts for a bargain, try spending a little money each day unnecessarily. Buy the product that costs a few cents more instead of less, treat yourslef to a little something extra, pay for a friend’s coffee, donate to a good cause, etc. Even a small action of this sort is a visible demonstration to yourself that you have faith in the abundance that you have been affirming. Actions speak as loud as words in this case.

Tithe your income. Tithing is the practice of giving a percentage of your income to a church, spiritual organization, or any group that you feel is making a worthwhile contribution in the world. It is a way of supporting that energy, and at the same time acknowledging that all you receive comes from the universe and therefore you give a token back to the universal source. It doesn’t matter what the percentage is – even tithing just one percent of your income will give you a continuous experience of outflowing. Just be sure to do it regularly.

Be creative. Think of other ways to outflow your energy into the universe for the good of yourself and others.

Shakti Gawain

I’ve fallen in love with someone all over again – and this time it is deeper and more meaningful then ever before. I’ve held myself back in past relationships – haven’t given myself over to the emotion of love . . . have held myself at arms length . . . and I’m ready to give myself over to this individual 100%. It feels great!

I aim to be more genuinely loving to everyone. Everyone is deserving of love even if they’ve wronged you in the past. I’d so much rather hold love in my heart than bad feelings.

is good for this. I aim to be an uninhibited hugger.

Saying I love you to people more often. Takes so little effort reaps such big rewards, deeper connections, more trust.

is where it’s at. Remember that.

Don’t hold others at arms length – love freely and openly.