![]() Giving is truly an activity of the heart. Indeed, when our hearts are open, we give automatically – we cannot help ourselves. We willingly give our time, our attention, our loving support. In addition, when we do this consciously and joyfully, we witness the bountiful blessings experienced by the giver and receiver, which brings even more joy. In my experience, giving conditionally, in other words giving in expectation of getting something back, blocks our good, for ultimately it gets in the way of the joy of the experience. For instance, when giving a gift and expecting, but not receiving a thank you letter or acknowledgement, I have felt disappointed and upset. My heart closed and resentment or anger affected my body, mind and heart – not a good thing for me or anyone! I am learning to give simply for the joy of giving. To let any result go is freeing indeed. This year, my intention is to keep my heart open; be present to everyone and myself, to let the natural love that I am, we are, flow. Being present in this way, I have already witnessed deeper blessings in my relationships, which feel more beautiful because of this. My question to you is, how can you support yourself to give and receive with an open, loving heart, without any condition attached? Can you see where the giving has been conditional? Perhaps journal, draw or create something that helps you reflect on this for yourself this week and this year. I would love to hear of any realisations you have had; any clarity that has come from this reflection.
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The beginning of a New Year is a wonderful time to focus on the good you are looking to experience in the coming year. This is not a list of resolutions of things you should do. It is a knowing of what you would like to experience more of. Thus, every January, Unity hosts a Burning Bowl Ceremony, leading us through the experience of letting go of what is no longer needed, to make space for the new good that is desired and anticipated. This good which is good for everyone. Although in Unity we normally do this in January in fact this process can be used at any time of year as each day we begin anew. I dedicate this day to God working perfectly through me.
Take a quiet moment to let these words sink in... What does this mean to you? Does it mean taking time to be still? Perhaps taking time to dance, sing, play, walk in nature, find a way to help someone. Perhaps it may mean peace, good health, guiding light and other practical ways you can experience God within, through and as you. You may like to journal your thoughts or be creative and draw or paint something, even build something. Let yourself be inspired - the light of God shines brightly in you. Celebrate all the ways you can know this, for yourself, today, and every day this year! Rev Kimerie Mapletoft Director of Daily Word and Silent Unity UK At this, the darkest time of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, life invites us to take lots of quiet, reflective time, to go within to our inner being, step back from the activities of the world, and simply BE. Are you doing this for yourself? Personally, I feel I am being called to rest and be quiet. There is a new energy coming into the world, and it is only in quietness and stillness that we can really recognise and receive its energy and power. This is witnessed in the Gospels when Jesus took himself apart from the world to pray – to be with his Abba. As we rest in spiritual stillness, our Pure Self can experience its perfection, its fullness, its true light, which is so much more than our bodies, minds and lives. At the turn of this New Year, let us all welcome in the abiding experience of our True Being. And know, with gratitude and expectation, that Spirit is working through you, me, all of us, to bring forth the fullness of the Christ energy. This is the call – this is the awakening invitation … are you listening? For our deepest joy comes when we really experience our spiritual self that has no separate identity – it simply is and rejoices in Being. Let us rejoice and BE, together. Rev Kimerie Mapletoft Director of Daily Word and Silent Unity UK |
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