Giving, Loving and Appreciating

I played the Memory Game on The Secret website. Here is the quote I got:

Wherever you go, whoever you meet, and whatever you do, give love and appreciation, because that is your true nature. How do you know it is your true nature? You feel so good when you are giving it!

People have asked me how I can give so much. I never was able to answer this question the way I wanted to. We all know how wonderful it feels to give. My parents have always been ones to give and I know I carry this trait from them. There was a time in my life where I felt I gave all I had to give to certain people because no matter what I did, I could not make them happy. Then I read The Secret and understand that we cannot be responsible for anyone's happiness other than our own. As an adult, I know that those who only take and do not ever give back are the ones who ruin our positivity. There are two different kind of needy people in the word...in my opinion. There are those who need so much and just take and take and take without wanting to improve themselves. Then there are those who are in need but will not except help or even ask for it.

At one time I had a friend who took all of my energy out of me. She used me completely, lied, stole from me, and only ever thought about herself. Because I was such a giver, I gave until I lost myself in our relationship. No matter what I did for her, she didn't appreciate anything AND she expected me to be there at all time. I now know the difference between a person in need and a needy person. My friend Shawn is a person in need. He will never ask for help and there are times I want to strangle him. He is so stubborn. Because he wants to better himself and he tells me all the time how much he appreciates me, I have no problems helping him.....when he lets me. Every morning during the week I am his wake up call. It is as if he is at a hotel. I call him every morning at 10:30am to make sure he didn't turn off his alarm. Is this something he has asked me to do...not at all. Being that I have been a depressed person and knowing that he still is one, I know how hard getting out of bed can be. If I can help him start his day with a phone call, then I am all for it. It takes no time or energy for me to do this. And, it feels so good to know that I can help out by doing something so simple for him. The best thing is that he appreciates the simple gesture and makes sure I am aware of that.

I completey believe that we are on earth to help each other, love each other, and appreciate each other. We are here to make each other's lives easier. Obviously if you are not receiving anything from another person and feeling like you are giving all you have, then you need to re-evaluate the relationship.

If you feel in your heart the gratification in giving and loving everyone around you....you will in return receive favors, apreciation and love.

What I am thankful for today:
the time to blog
an amazing Nickelback concert!
time with Jamie and her family last night
a beautiful day today
Sally and Jen's help at the Farmer's Market yesterday
Shawn surprising me with a copy of the Dave Matthews Band newest CD...LOVE IT!
Jenny
Diane
Jamie
compliments
smiles
Jenny and my heart to heart talk on the way to Camden (hee hee hee hee)
walking/running with Jenny tonight
energy
laughter
Grammy remembering everything last night
scooter races with the kids in the alley today
being able to have the windows open today
happiness