I know I have written about my favorite book before, but it had such a profound impact on my life – The Giving Tree.
It was (and sometimes is) the way I love and serve – giving all that I have away and wanting (I think) nothing. And, I can remember being so mad at the Tree for asking for nothing and the Little Boy/Old Man for giving nothing back. In fact, searching for photos for this blog, I came across a crude pencil drawing of a likeness of the cover of The Giving Tree with two little hangman figures swinging off the tree. And, I was instantly grateful, that hey, I’m in a really good place with this receiving and giving thang.
What I didn’t realize, for a long time, is that, truly, the Tree wanted nothing, only for the Little Boy to be happy. When we give with wanting something in return, that giving turns into servitude.
So this got me to thinking, and of course, asking questions to the Divine. What if what we give and receive is just all an illusion?
What if all the Tree was doing was passing on “stuff” that truly could never be given away? What if the Tree knew that even if we could not see its trunk, its branches, its leaves and apples, they were still all there within the Tree? And, that no one can take what is truly within and always there. Would you give freely? Would you feel safe doing so? Would you feel full and strong?
Would you welcome receiving because you knew that you weren’t lacking anything? When we give because we NEED to be loved or NEED approval, I believe we will never feel satisfied. We will never fully know that we are whole and complete.
Truly, I don’t know the secret answers, because there are no secret answers. I’m practicing, and sometimes it hurts my chest to think (or feel) about all of these questions…
Just for today, what if you were aware of all the things that you can’t really see with your eyes? What if today you were free like the Tree?
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Jennifer Urezzio is a master intuitive and the founder and spiritual director of Know Soul’s Language. Soul Language is a way to consciously connect with your Soul that was received through Divine Guidance. Understanding your Soul Languages allows you to access your own Soul’s guidance to accept your value, be more confident, have more impact and grow into a stronger leader.