GIVING

I saw the movie THE BLINDSIDE last night and it got me thinking about how much we can impact the lives of others if we're just open to the opportunities around us. We can not only change our own lives by changing our attitudes, thoughts & beliefs, but our actions stemming from those very same traits can impact the lives of those around us forever. We can change ourselves and/or impact someone else the second we commit to doing so.

Without giving away too much of the movie - it's based on the life of Michael Oher, who now plays professional football for the Baltimore Ravens. At one point in his life, Michael is homeless and the Tuohy family sees him on a cold night walking outside in shorts and a t-shirt. Their kids know him from school. At that point they make a decision that changes ALL their lives from that point on, simply by asking him to spend the night with them. How many of us would have turned our cars around to make that offer? If we HAD made the offer, how many people would go on to actually accept an outsider into our home as family? Not many would be my guess. Even of the people who would shelter him for a night or two after that other arrangements would be made.

We are ALL capable of being, doing and contributing more to the benefit of ourselves, our families and our world. But as humans we get caught up in getting more for ourselves, keeping what we own, our jobs, our responsibilities and all the stress that comes with just paying bills, running a household and living day to day that what we tend to ignore is probably the one thing that would give us the most comfort. We can give of ourselves, we can contribute to society, we can make life better for someone in our family with a phone call or a visit. We can begin to see opportunities and realize God places them in our lives every day if we're just open to receiving and letting love flow from our hearts in the act of giving.

When you see yourself as abundant you'll realize how much you have to give. However small, give of yourself every day until it becomes a habit :)