For Today: February 12th

 Love is above all, the gift of oneself.

Jean Anouilh

In order to give the gift of myself, I need to see how I have been avoiding it.  There are two ways of doing this.  One is to feel that I’m worth nothing, that no one would want me.  The other is to make it clear that you ought to recognize how wise I am and follow my advice.  Both are protective shells; neither is the best I can give.  Giving of myself means giving quality time---listening to another without thinking of what I will say next; listening without giving advice; listening with energy and care; listening so intently as to forget myself.  It is in that instant that I give myself to another.

For Today:  Does someone need the gift of myself?  I have the ability to give it, regardless of how I feel.

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I'm neither terribly wise nor terribly worthless.  When I give of myself, I try to listen with a compassionate ear and respond by sharing my experience, strength & hope.

When I shed my protective shell is when I am as God intended me to be; happy, joyous and free.  I don't need to have the answers to everything, I just need to dig deep inside myself to see if I've had a similar experience that I can share with a friend who is suffering.  Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.  


When I can't help someone figure things out, what I CAN do is listen.  Sometimes, offering an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on is all anyone can do! And it is enough.


For today, I will listen with both ears and a compassionate heart.