We’re fast approaching that time of year again when we’ll hear the word “GIVE” more than ever.
Merriam-Webster defines give: “to make a present of.”
As I pondered what it means to give, I’m reminded that a true act of giving is when someone gives without an expectation or promise of receiving anything in return. Sadly, my observation is most people give with one hand, while keeping a hidden scorecard in the other.
Before you’re too quick to label me a skeptic, let me ask you, “When was the last time you gave with a pure heart?” No, really, think about it. I know we all mean well. And, we think we’re giving with good intentions; yet, if you make time to peel back the onion a bit, and ask yourself this simple question, “What’s my motivation for giving to this person at this time?” you might find an ulterior motive lies just beneath the surface. Perhaps you hope to win favor with someone, you expect to wiggle your way to the ‘front,’ or you simply hope to be remembered and perhaps be given a little something extra the next time around.
Please don’t get me wrong—we’ve ALL been guilty of giving with selfish motives. My point, however, is how can you shift your intention from, “What can I gain? to “How can someone gain from my giving?”
I recently received such a blessing. A true act of giving.
About two years ago, I received a call from Monica DeSantis, a Chicago radio veteran. We sat down and chatted for a few hours about work, life, and spiritual matters. At the time, I met with Monica because I too had been through a season of contemplating my career and what it might look like to fly in a totally new direction. As we hugged goodbye, I didn’t know if our paths would ever cross again.
Well they did. On Friday, October 03, the day before Divine And Perfect Order, A Companion Journal was released, I received an impromptu invitation to join Monica on 1340 WJOL’s morning program that she co-hosted this past Monday. Yes, this message serves two purposes: Clearly I’m both honored and proud she asked me, and more importantly, her generous invitation clearly demonstrates her true act of giving. And yes, I will take this opportunity to say thank you, Monica, and invite you to listen to the segment she recorded featuring DAPO.
As fate would have it, the station unfortunately experienced technical issues with their phone lines during our scheduled interview, and thus I couldn’t call in; however, in her gracious spirit of GIVING, Monica DeSantis recorded the segment where she and host Mike discussed my new book.
Mike and Monica thank you for featuring DAPO on the morning program, and I look forward to our interview in the near future. Please listen to their book review here:
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