Give a Little

This morning I got a call from a number I didn't recognize. Since I'm job-searching right now, I answered it, of course. I figured it was probably for an interview for my dream job. Can't pass that up.

The polite lady on the other end asked for me by name. Good sign.

"This is Angela at Atlanta Blood Services. I'm calling you today because we are in urgent need of platelets and wondered if you would be willing to come in and donate."

I've given before, which is why they have my number and know me by name. My heart sank, because instead of giving me a job, these people want to take my blood, literally. Without hesitation, I answered her.

"Sure. I can come in tomorrow."

I have an 11:30 appointment. No aspirin, drink fluids, and eat a hearty meal.

Am I just a sucker who can't say no? Hardly. Ask the FOP, the AJC, or any guy I dated in high school. I know the word. But I also believe we must give if we want to receive. And I am asking a lot of the Universe these days. So, right now, I am taking advantage of any legitimate opportunity I have to give a little. I don't have much, but I can give some platelets without any effect on my bank accounts. So I will. Tomorrow at 11:30. I will get to watch some television, drink juices, eat some snacks, and save someone's life. Not a bad way to spend a couple hours on a Wednesday.

I also have been saying yes to requests for help with writing projects lately. I can give that, too. And who knows where assisting someone could lead? At the very least, to some good karma, and an immediate sense of fulfillment in helping another person. I believe in building bridges, not moats. In this complicated, convoluted world we live in, we must help each other out. Deepak agrees.

In The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, he tells us the second law is the Law of Giving and that the Universe "operates through dynamic exchange." This basically means if we stifle the giving part, nothing comes back to us. We don't receive. If this seems a hard pill to swallow, think about investors. The only way they can really cash in is to put it out there. You gotta risk it and put money in to get any return. The laws of the Universe don't just work that way with money. Think of your very breath. In....out....in....out... What happens if you try to hold onto that breath, not let it out? You can't inhale without getting rid of the stale air inside your lungs first. Once you do blow it all out, then you can deeply ingest that fresh, cool air, full of all the oxygen you need.

Dynamic exchange.

So, these days I am giving. Try it and see what kind of results you get, when you give, unquestioningly, generously, and without expectation of reciprocity. There is, in Buddhism, a hierarchy of giving:

The miserly giver gives what she doesn't want anymore. Sort of like that box of old clothes you put on your porch for the Paralyzed Veterans or the American Kidney Fund pickup. It's a helpful form of giving, but it requires very little or nothing from the giver.

The kindly giver gives what he wants to receive, and this is a more generous, thoughtful type of giving. There is more thought behind the gift, and perhaps even some small sacrifice of time or money.

But the kingly giver...she gives the very best she has, of her time, her resources, her material possessions. Sometimes even her very life. This is the soldier's sacrifice for his country, the mother's sacrifice for her children, or the organ donor giving a perfect stranger a kidney because it's a match. Kingly givers also give without question, hesitation, or regret. Wouldn't the world be an incredible place with more of these givers in it?

For now, I will try to give on any level I can. So, if you need something, I'm kind of an open target these days. As an Aquarian, my tendencies are towards helping others anyway, even when they don't ask for it. I may not have much money, but I am willing to give of my time, my talents, even my bodily fluids.

But for now, I'm holding onto my kidneys. Just saying.