Gifting

“The things you gift to others are what you want for yourself.” - unknown

The first time I contemplated that I came up with:

I want to give my children the permission, time and support to pursue activities that interest them.

It was far easier to give to them than to me. But it made me realize what I needed to give to myself, so that I would be able to give to them. It made me conscious of what I really wanted. For me it has been easy to move other people ahead of me on my priority list. And then complain that I was at the bottom.

"Do not give from the depth of your well, give only from the overflow." - Sufi prayer

I have sometimes found myself empty. I’ve given from the depths. I’ve not nurtured myself. I end up useless to everyone. But I’ve been practicing. Now I notice when I’ve fallen into my old habits before I end up empty. And then I give to myself what I want to give to others. Life and love flow far more gracefully.

More recently I contemplated what I want to give to others and found:

I want to give my children my undivided attention so that they know that they are important and that their soul dreams matter.

So there is another Quillpig Dream: to honor and live my soul dreams.