Giving All Of Yourself
by Alan Cohen
 A spiritual teacher told me of two
students who were seeking the one place left in a small-group week-long seminar.
"One student was very wealthy, yet he tried to bargain for a half-price payment
of $500," the teacher told me. "The other student had only $20."
"So which one did you take?" I
asked.
"We accepted the student who
offered $20."
"Why is that?" I
asked.
"Because she offered everything,"
the teacher answered.
It is not so important how much we
give; it is how we give that counts. If you have a lot, but offer a little, you
have given little. If you have a little, but give it all, you have given much.
Our actions are real not for their outer form, but for our energy and intentions
behind the actions.
A Course in Miracles asks
us to affirm, "I will not value what is valueless." Things are valueless in and
of themselves. The love we give in association with things, or by itself, is
ultimately valuable.
The story is told of a poet who
went to see a doctor. The poet said, "I have all kinds of terrible symptoms. I
am unhappy and uncomfortable, my hair and my arms and legs are as if
tortured."
The doctor answered, "Is it not
true that you have not yet given out your latest poetic
composition?"
"That is true," said the
poet.
"Very well," said the physician.
"Be good enough to recite."
He did so, and at the doctor’s
order, said his lines again and again. Then the doctor said, "Stand up, for you
are now cured. What you had inside had affected your outside. Now that it is
released, you are well again."
In your work, your friendships,
and relationships, are you giving just a part of yourself, or are you giving all
of yourself? Are you sharing from the depths of your soul, or are you
accommodating? Are you doing what you came here to do, or are you doing what is
expected of you? When you go to sleep at night, have you lived a day in accord
with your vision, or have you worshipped at the altar of fear? Are you giving
wholly of your true self, or partly of a false self?
Recently I met a famous teacher
who is very busy. He has many students and media people tugging at him, and he
is able to meet with individuals for just a few moments or minutes. When I spoke
to him, however, he was really with me. He looked me squarely in the eye, gave
me his full attention, and listened and responded clearly and lovingly to
exactly what I was saying. Though I spoke to him only briefly, I felt very loved
and very fulfilled. Even in a few moments, he gave me everything.
Kahlil Gibran
affirmed:
Love gives naught but itself and takes
naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be
possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love. .
.
Love has no other desire but to fulfill
itself...
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and
give thanks for another day of loving... And then to sleep with a prayer for the
beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.
Recommended book:
101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, Volume 2
by John Gray, Jack Canfield, Richard Carlson, Bob Proctor, Alan Cohen, and more. Edited by David Riklan.
Each essay is three to four pages, just the right length to be
stimulating . . . but not so long as to require a long sit. Many people
will find that reading one of these essays in the morning can help set
up a more successful day.
For More Info or to Order This Book.
 About The Author
Alan
Cohen is the author of numerous popular inspirational books, including the
award-winning A
Deep Breath of Life. To request a free catalog of Alan's books,
tapes, and seminars, call 1-800-462-3013 or visit Alan's web site at www.alancohen.com.
For info on upcoming events, contact 455A Kukuna Road, Haiku, HI 96708,
(800) 568-3079, email:
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