For a Time

Good morning, God, and thanks for another day in my life.  I don't know how many mornings I have to wake up to, but I'm certainly going to try to enjoy them and appreciate them while I have them.  I thank you for this new set of opportunities to contribute to life in my own ways, and I hope that I live up to my potential as I try to do so.

Sometimes it's hard to see whether or not we're actually contributing.  There are times when I feel like I'm really giving nothing at all, while there are other times when I feel that I'm actually giving in positive ways to others.  I know that all that we can do is our best, and then trust that it's enough, but there are times when I question even that theory.  And the other thing I question is whether I'm even giving my best--or if what I'm giving is simply a substitute for my best, kind of an effort that necessarily falls short.

Either way, I keep on keeping on, and I keep trying.  And I hope that what I'm doing is enough--and that if it isn't, I'll be redirected somehow onto paths that will allow me to give enough.

A reply:

There are very few human beings who haven't felt the doubts that you're experiencing.  This is especially true in the society in which you live, in which achievement is the dominant criterion for judgment.  A contribution, though, is a contribution.  It's something that you give freely, and there really isn't any sort of scale to follow that will define "enough" or "not enough."  There's also no scale for "best" or "not best."  When you give, you give, and that's enough.  And as human beings, there are limits as to what you can give, based on things like mood, strength levels, condition of your spirit, the support that you feel you have, and many more.  One of the signs of growth among human beings is to be able to be comfortable with what you give, and not worry about whether it's "enough."  When you can, give more.  And when you need to, take a rest from giving, and even take.  There must be a balance in life, and if nobody takes, then who can give?

You are contributing.  In small ways and in larger.  Much of your contribution will remain unknown to you, as the recipients move away from you in the ways that people tend to move apart.  Just know that when you give, you are contributing.  Just be careful that there aren't conditions attached to your giving, for then you're no longer giving--then you're bartering.  And while there can be many positive sides to bartering, it most definitely is not the same as giving.

One of the more difficult elements of giving comes along when our giving isn't recognized by others, when there are no thanks offered for it, when no appreciation is shown for it.  This is where letting go comes in.  Another sign of growth among human beings is when you've let go of your need to hear or receive acknowledgement for what you've given.

When you give, you contribute to the world.  Period.  And the ripples start to emanate from your giving, and they really do reach out into the world as a whole.  Trust that fact, and your giving will take on a new dimension, and your doubts will fade.  Perhaps they won't fade away completely, but they will diminish, and they won't haunt you so much.

Good morning, God

When I looked at the date of my last entry, God, I was quite surprised.  It doesn't seem like it's been that long.  I really just wanted to say good morning and thank you for all that I have today--my home, my work, the people with whom I have contact, the beauty all around me, the hobbies that I have that I enjoy doing.  My life really is rather full and fulfilling, and it's important that I constantly keep that in mind and appreciate it.  I do know that I have many gifts, and I don't want to take them for granted.  So thank you for the sun and the rain, for the flowers and the concrete, for the smiles and the frowns, for the uphills as well as the downhills, and for the many opportunities that I have to grow and mature and become more than I am today.

A reply:

You're welcome.  And thank you for enjoying and appreciating--you're one of a relatively few people who do that.  Keep it up!