Find something in your possession that you really like, maybe something that has memories, a history, or is a bit special to you, and just give it away.
I'll be honest, it feels a bit strange, you think quite a bit about what it will be like with it gone, but once it's gone, you don't feel bad about any more. Trust me.
The feeling you get from giving selflessly is so amazing, it wipes out any feelings you had from wanting to hang onto whatever you gave away!
You could give it away to a charity shop or another organisation that helps people, but I recommend starting with someone you know. Be ready to fully absorb the feelings that come from giving your gift, and be mindful of how it makes you feel. You will then be ready to give away some more stuff too, and this is a great way to go through your possessions and make some space for new things. You make the room, and life gets to work in providing you with the new. Make sure that you know what you want to receive, and be happy and grateful for everything that comes your way, who knows, it may be a friend or colleague giving you something amazing!
We often give at Christmas and traditionally this is when most gifts are exchanged, but you also know that you are also likely to receive something too, and this takes the edge of the feelings you can get from just giving. Make giving a habit that happens throughout the year, and let it become part of your life.
If you don't want to give away any possessions, then give away your time, or your knowledge.
Make time to sit down with someone and listen to their issues or problems, call someone you haven't heard of for ages and have a chat, help someone out with a task or a challenge, or volunteer for something.
Try and send happier emails, send someone a parcel (don't you just love getting parcels) or if you're selling something on eBay, then include something extra! Exchange a few pleasant words with the person at the supermarket checkout, and if you make eye contact with someone, make sure you're smiling when you do! Yes I guarantee some of them will think you're crazy, but you're never likely to see them again, so who cares!
Use your skills to help. I used to be a Car Mechanic, and one grey rainy day I came across two ladies at the side of the road next to their car. They had a flat tyre, but they were struggling to get the spare wheel off, and they told me that the recovery wagon was over an hour away, and they had an urgent appointment too. Now, I knew how to get the wheel off that particular model of car, the mechanism rusts up, but there is a way to get past it. In a few minutes, I had the spare on their car, and they were on their way with the recovery cancelled. I got soaking wet, my knees got dirty, and my hands got dirtier, but did I drive away with a big grin on my face? Yes! Absolutely!
In a few minutes I was home, clean and dry, and reflecting on the event.
Keep your eyes open, there are opportunities to help everywhere. Holding a door open, getting something off a high shelf, commenting on someone's work, or their hair, or the way they look.
You know how good it feels when someone says those things to you, so pay it forward!
"A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life, when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit."
D. Elton Trueblood.
I'd love to read your views on this or any other posts. Please feel very free to reply with your comments. Positive Paradise is for exchanging thoughts and ideas!
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