Giving can be its own reward

When I first started writing in Midweek some seven years ago, it was admittedly for commercial reasons.
I was on a benefit and had no prospect of paid employment at that stage so I started up my small life coaching business which also included my group fitness classes. This column gave me an opportunity to promote myself - thank you Midweek. Those who know me well also know that I've never been very financially driven, heck I've had group fitness members insist that I put my prices up and some have even paid me more than I ask!

I can feel all the business managers taking a breath and shaking their heads in bewilderment! Truth is I'm just not really driven by the dollar, but obviously I have to put a monetary value on what I do because I have overheads to be able to provide my services.

I consider myself very fortunate and I am very grateful for what I have. I have a roof over my head, food in my tummy, and loving people around me. In the words of my boyfriend "I've cracked it".

Anything that I receive from life over and above these things is a bonus. I don't see that the world or others owe me anything, quite the contrary in fact.
I do, however, owe it to myself to keep checking in with my internal compass to make sure it's pointing to where I need or want it to be. Unless extremely narcissistic then it's unrealistic to expect to be indulged by others to meet our every need, we must try and meet our own needs too.

Those who are interested in the "law of attraction" or believe that everything is simply energy will find this challenge easy, however, if not then just let the results speak for themselves.

So here's the challenge: I'm going to give three things away this week to others with NO expectation of receiving anything back in return. This could be tangible, or intangible, it doesn't matter.

For example, if it's kindness we seek? Then be kind to someone. Not being listened to? Try and deeply listen to another, If it's money? Try and be a little bit more generous this week. But the trick really is that we must let go of any expectation that we will receive anything back for our giving away.

Try it and play with the energies of the universe. At the very least your reward will be that you have made the world a little bit more loving through your actions, and maybe that's reward enough.
Arohanui. Carla.
www.carlascoachingforhealth.com