All We Can Do Is Share Ourselves

Image of the Week
Image of the Week

So many of us believe that we have to do something. We have to take action in order to make a difference in the world. We must have a higher purpose, a mission, a profound calling. And while action certainly has its place, it's really *how we are* in the world that makes the difference.

Consider this: if you are at peace with yourself, you are already making a difference. We can donate money, or send aid, or volunteer at a shelter, but the first thing we must do is take responsibility and stock of our own path of consciousness. If we come into harmony with ourselves and vibrate from that out into the world, we are the de facto change.

It's not about the magnitude. It's not about the grand nature of the contribution externally. If we gather up all the parts of ourselves and love them, that love becomes contagious. The ripple effect of this kind of energy is tremendous -- in some ways more profound than all the external contributions that have ever been made. Because the more we are at peace with ourselves, the more our collective energy will shift, and anything that stands in the way of peace and tranquility will have no choice but to end or dissolve.

That's all there is left to do. Once we have embraced all that we are, once we've come into a place of peace, all we can do is share ourselves. Give ourselves away. Give ourselves to as many people as possible. We will no longer be seeking to become complete by rescuing others, because we will realize that we are already complete. Then, love is the only thing left.

Tonight, as we turn out the lights, let us know that a day will come when we will be called into contribution. We will know when it happens. We will recognize it. We won't wonder if we should or shouldn't, nor will we question our motives. We will simply -- with grace and dignity, and fullness of heart -- do what needs to be done.

Seed Questions for Reflection

What does 'sharing ourselves' mean to you? Can you share a personal experience of a time when you came to such a place of peace that you were moved to share yourself? How can we develop ourselves to find such a place of peace?

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40 Past Reflections
LF
Sep 26, 2014

 This morning, I showed up at my doctor's office for an annual exam (that had been scheduled a year ago) only to learn sometime in this past year my doctor needed this time rescheduled.  (I neglected to "erase" in my calendar!)
(Things always happen for a reason, I figure!). As the receptionist apologized that I had made "the trip" for nothing, I was already thinking what God might have me do in the neighborhood I was in.  
After one stop at a nearby Shopko Express, I was on my way to dressing up a dear friend's front porch with a basket of fresh Fall Mums (yellow).
Never "waste a trip", find a way to share yourself where you are!
Love and blessings . . . 

MI
Mish Sep 26, 2014

 Beautiful.

SA
Savitri Nov 4, 2014

 Beautiful reminder & invitation. Thank you for sharing

RM
Aug 17, 2014

 A young man walked past a row of holes along the roadside, at the end of them was an old man, sweating in the heat and getting dirty, slowly digging even another hole. The young man, concerned for the old man, asked "why are you digging out here in the sun, aren't you too old to be doing this kind of work?" The old man pointed to a bundle of walnut trees, healed into some wet sawdust, under the shade of a bush. "I'm digging these here holes to plant those walnut trees." The young man commented "But why, use up your energy doing such hard work? You might hurt yourself... those trees won't come to bear nuts for twenty or so years, will you even be around to enjoy the fruit of your labor?" The old man, paused in his digging, and turning his full attention on the young man, responded, "I'm not planting these here trees for myself", he said, "I'm planting them for posterity." At that the young man, rolled up his sleeves, and said, "Here, I'll help you."

BH
Beth Hinman Aug 17, 2014

 THANK YOU!  I love this . .

KP
Kristin Pedemonti Aug 17, 2014

 indeed. what we plant now we can leave behind for generations to come. thank you for sharing an important message via Story. HUG

CL
Claire Aug 17, 2014

 Wonderful, Thanks!

SM
sana mehmood
Aug 16, 2014

Its really good, and i think everyone need it today..... 

BR
Aug 14, 2014

 Reminds me that HOW we are in the world matters. And that it shows up in every ounce of our "doing". If your "being" is full of generosity, open-heartedness, then it will manifest in whatever you "do", large or small acts are filled with that essence of you.

KP
Kristin Pedemonti Aug 15, 2014

 yes, exactly. How we are in this world matters a great deal.
HUG! 

AL
Always Love Aug 17, 2014

 Amen!

CL
Aug 14, 2014

Thank you for this.  After decades of believing that I had to 'help' the 'other,' I came to see that I cannot help and there is no other.  I can be as clear and connected to my own being with whatever is going on, and that is a practice.  From that there may be a flow in the direction of being present with those I may encounter in all kinds of ways -  which are as simple as standing next to someone in the supermarket line, connecting or working in a job/ volunteer role where there are helpful asks to perform.  It is such a relief not to have to think about obsessively rescuing any longer and not just a relief for me either!

CL
Claire Aug 14, 2014

EDIT from my last post:  "I can be as clear and connected as possible to my own being.....

MI
Mish Aug 14, 2014

 Thank you & Amen to this.

NH
Nimal Hapuarachchi Aug 14, 2014

 Thank you Claire for your comment. A musical instrument has to be tuned to produce right music. So do we. And that is all.

CL
Claire Aug 16, 2014

 Yes, thank goodness we got tuned and then we practice again and again..... :)

BH
Aug 13, 2014

 For me, finding the place of peace inside myself seems to begin in the midst of "trouble."  There will be something that's disturbing me, and almost without noticing how I got there, I will suddenly wake up to myself inside and become aware that my inner dialog is angry, judgmental, unhappy.  Yet - that part that "woke up" in the moment, knows to send love to me, to the parts of me that are upset about "something" in my world.  And, when I "get" that love, when the upset parts of me sense its presence, they relax.  And that relaxation is something magnificent to me - it is peace.  It comes into me through me from another place.  For me, poetry is a way to explore this and a beautiful tool for bringing myself into a place of peace.   Thank you for all the gifts you share through these weekly e-mails : o ) 

NH
Nimal Hapuarachchi Aug 13, 2014

Thanks Beth for the lovely insight.

PA
Aug 13, 2014

The words that resonate with me more then 'do what needs to be done'  comes from Byron Katie 'follow the simple directions.'  Some possible action comes to my mind and I just follow the direction.  It helps to be aware of possible motives of mind which I find by questioning thoughts which arise such as I need to do this, I have to do this, If I do this then they will...   Actually what works better (for me) to start is to question He/she shouldn't be doing this, He/she hurt me, He/she is stupid, lazy, etc.  or the famous one, He/she is wrong ;-).

AN
Anne
Aug 12, 2014

 Beautiful ❤️

JY
Aug 12, 2014
I needed this today. Over the last four years, I have helped and enabled four colleagues establish a successful program and platform to train others in our shared expertise. At this fifth annual occurrence of our workshop, I stepped away to let them take it forward on their own, using much of what I had helped create. At the conference, I stopped by their session to visit and greet them. I just like to stay connected. Three of them greeted me warmly but one of them, the oldest who assumed leadership, ignored and snubbed my goodwill visit so completely that I was surprised and hurt. Last year I was explaining Indian food to her grand-daughter at the meal after our session and this year I did not even deserve a proper hello! What happened? Was she upset that I had not joined them and chose to do something new with another new group of colleagues? Did I do something wrong in not having interacted during the year at all (we are not co-located)? Am I hurt because I was seeking to be acknow... View full comment
JP
Aug 12, 2014
Sharing good things in life opens up door of connections within, between and beyond. This is my experience and it has worked for me. How do I cultivate and sustain this noble quality in me? I have learned lessons of sharing as I was growing up. It was and is a tradition in our family to share a meal with anyone who would drop in at times unannounced. We call them an  atithi-a guest who may drop in without checking. When we took our grandchildren to visit India, they were delightfully surprised to be welcome and feel at home even though the neighbor did not have an advance announcement or notice of their arrival. Such simple day to day experiences lay the foundation of sharing and getting connected. They plant the seeds of expanding our consciousness.Such childhood experiences have created spiritual roots in me. Sharing my gifts unconditionally brings deep joy in me and deep feelings of gratitude in the receiver. And the same feelings arise in me when some one offers a g... View full comment
DE
Aug 12, 2014

 Sharing myself for me means that I share my inner most thoughts coming from the core of my being , they may be of my happiness , my joys or even my fears , of all the experiences I have gone through my life .  while sharing am at at peace with myself and also am constantly aware while sharing of my ego .  There were moments in my past , when the fear was too great , for me to share my experiences or my life , however as having been walking my path ,  experiencing the roller coasters in my life , learning my lessons , this fear has gradually become smaller and smaller , till it has ceased to exist and have moved on . Today I can share fearlessly and peacefully  without any inhibitions .

MI
Aug 12, 2014

 This is profoundly true & I often need this reminder to keep me  knowing "I am enough". Grateful for this share here.

AN
Ani
Aug 12, 2014
I look deeply at a tree and see the beauty in how it shares itself, simply by its peaceful being. Unconditional offerings: fruits to nourish; leaves to shelter;  trunk to home creatures... Every part of it, exists to share itself, and through this purity, it purifies the air around... wholly and selflessly,  simply by its being. 
What if this being that calls itself "I"  can be like this tree? Be-ing, all giving and loving unconditionally? 
 
NH
Nimal Hapuarachchi Aug 12, 2014

 Wonderful Ani. Thanks.Trees and animals and minerals and the silent Universe share everything with us. 'I' am the problem!

DD
david doane Aug 12, 2014

 I love your statement, Ani.  You so poignantly remind us that simply being is sharing.  The challenge for us human beings is to simply be.  We could learn from all the rest of nature.  We'd realize heaven on earth. 

SM
Smita Aug 12, 2014

Beautifully expressed. Thanks for sharing.  

JB
JoAnn Baker Paul Aug 13, 2014

 WE already ARE exactly like this tree - we've just been taught otherwise, and consequently forgotten our heritage. Our simple presence is so much more than we realize.....Gratitude, Blessings and Om Shanti!

NH
Aug 12, 2014

 Sharing  ourselves means, doing nothing. Then we are doing everything!

MD
Aug 12, 2014

To me 'Sharing ourselves' means sharing the inner happiness. We all want to share something with others. We wonder what to share and with whom to share. Many a times we struggle to get right persons with whom we can share our feeling and emotions. When we over come this struggle, sit quietly and began the inner journey we realise the inner happiness. Meditating on the Divine light in side, spreads and connects us with the whole universe.The happiness  automatically spreads effortlessly. Harmony with self spreads in the family. A happy family makes a happy society which builds a happy nation. It makes the whole world harmonious and happy. Let us meditate and make the world happy, peaceful and harmonious free from war. Meditation is the solution.     

MK
Aug 11, 2014

To me, sharing ourselves means the expression of ultimate unconditional love. In that there should be no ego left, no separation from the other, no expectation in return and no effort. It becomes so effortless, innocent and full of joy, that is your true nature. I think it happens when you have experienced that you are taken care of and all the struggle of wants and wishes vanishes into thin air and you repose in yourself, meditation happens.  

LN
Aug 11, 2014
 Sharing means to be at one in Love and Gratitude in the ever present here and now.  To share this love and gratitude with everyone and all Beings. This is what I came to know when I SAID YES TO LIFE after being told I had only 2-6 months to live when being diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer 5 years ago. After the first  year I lived and walked in a Feeling of Gratitude and  Love as much as possible. I was living to share this feeling of hope and blessings. So many people, or should I say Angels, have come into my life over these pass 5 years. I believe that it has been due to this sense of Gratitude in my heart that I have been surrounded by so much care and LOVE!!  Saying YES TO LIFE means to except what ever shows up on ones path with peace and trust. It has been a beautiful way to LIVE!!! I am now sharing this peace and gratitude with everyone I can. And I will continue doing so for as long as I LIVE. One last blessing to share!!! In February I ... View full comment
HA
handan Aug 11, 2014

 Gorgeous! Such beautiful perspective & gratitude:) health, peace & more love to you!:)

HA
Aug 11, 2014

Beautifully written...thank you:)

MK
Meena Kendale Aug 11, 2014

 To me , sharing ourselves means the expression of ultimate unconditional love. In that there should be no ego left, no separation from the other, no expectation in return and no effort. It becomes so effortless, innocent and full of joy, that is your true nature. I think it happens when you have experienced that you are taken care of and that all the struggle for wants and wishes vanishes into thin air and you repose in yourself, meditation happens.

LN
Laura N Sobell Aug 11, 2014

 Handan, thank you, may you always walk in Love and Gratitude....many blessings Laura 

KP
Aug 11, 2014

 "Sharing ourselves" to me means to share our gifts, our talents, our resources and our hearts with one another in small ways and perhaps in big ways, too. I believe we come to this place of peace by realizing we do not become depleted at all by sharing ourselves, in fact, we become more filled. I carry my FREE HUGS sign every where I go, I carry tiny bottles of bubbles to share; little kindnesses that go a long way. I "share myself" every day; whether sharing a smile, a hug, a listening ear, a compliment to a stranger or a friend, the list is endless. As a Storyteller, I use my vocation to share myself with others and serve others to share themselves. Stories are powerful ways we can connect heart to heart and open us to seeing the "sameness" in the other.  Here's to sharing ourselves and realizing those "small" things we do become the big things. 

DD
Aug 10, 2014
 'Sharing ourselves' means to share what we are experiencing.  I share my reaction, my thought, my feeling, my association, my memory, my hunch.  I share my agreement, my disagreement, my happiness, my sadness, my surprise, my disappointment, my irritation, my hope, my jealousy, my reservation, my fear, my whatever.  I share this not because I am right or wrong, not to act on it, not to try to convince or achieve a hidden agenda, but because this is my perspective, my gift, my cross.  I share this because it is me. My responsibility is to share myself, my process, and not try to control outcome.  Outcome will happen.  I didn't come to a place of peace that moved me to share myself.  It's the other way around.  When I share myself I come to a place of peace, which does encourage me to do more sharing of myself.  Many times I don't do this kind of sharing of myself, but I have come to value it as the way to go.  When I do share myse... View full comment
AJ
aj Aug 15, 2014

 . . . and I am MOST thankful!  YOU ARE answered prayer.  Amen.