I ask for nothing. In return, I give All. There is no earning my Love. No work needed, no effort. ~Ki Longfellow, Flow Down Like Silver: Hypatia of Alexandria
I ask for nothing. In return, I give All. There is no earning my Love. No work needed, no effort. ~Ki Longfellow, Flow Down Like Silver: Hypatia of Alexandria
Often times we feel like the things we do for the people we love are very important and valuable, which of course they are, but somehow the many things they do for us aren’t when in fact they are.
I want to share this story with all of you today and know that no matter if you are a parent or not and no matter if you are young or old, the lesson you will learn today will be a valuable one that will definitely change the way we look at things and hopefully will help us appreciate the people around us a lot more.
“A little boy came up to his mother in the kitchen one evening while she was fixing supper, and handed her a piece of paper that he had been writing on. After his Mom dried her hands on an apron, she read it, and this is what it said:
For cutting the grass: $5.00
For cleaning up my room this week: $1.00
For going to the store for you: $.50
Baby-sitting my kid brother while you went shopping: $.25
Taking out the garbage: $1.00
For getting a good report card: $5.00
For cleaning up and raking the yard: $2.00
Total owed: $14.75
Well, his mother looked at him standing there, and the boy could see the memories flashing through her mind. She picked up the pen, turned over the paper he’d written on, and this is what she wrote:
For the nine months I carried you while you were growing inside me:
No Charge.
For all the nights that I’ve sat up with you, doctored and prayed for you:
No Charge.
For all the trying times, and all the tears that you’ve caused through the years:
No Charge.
For all the nights that were filled with dread, and for the worries I knew were ahead:
No Charge.
For the toys, food, clothes, and even wiping your nose:
No Charge.
Son, when you add it up, the cost of my love is:
No Charge.
When the boy finished reading what his mother had written, there were big tears in his eyes, and he looked straight at his mother and said, “Mom, I sure do love you.” And then he took the pen and in great big letters he wrote: “PAID IN FULL”. ~Unknown
Always remember that everything and everyone counts; look for ways to offer your love and appreciation more often to those around you without asking anything in return.
“Give yourself entirely to those around you. Be generous with your blessings. A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.” ~Steve Maraboli
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Luminita D. Saviuc
Luminita is the Founder and Editor in Chief of PurposeFairy.com and also the author of 15 Things You Should Give Up to Be Happy: An Inspiring Guide to Discovering Effortless Joy. For more details check out the 15 Things You Should Give Up To Be Happy Book Page.
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6 Comments
Robzilla
at 4:12 pm
Just yesterday a friend said that he would sell me his bowling ball for “$35 to $40”, so I told him I’ll pay $40 because it’s worth it. And what happened is that he immediately gave me a bag for the ball and made some adjustments on the ball as well. By not being tight about money, it actually become a better deal, relationship, and story/memory. It’s so counter-intuitive, but being unselfish benefits people way more than selfishness ever would.
jiexrc@gmail.com
at 12:34 pm
Seems like you don’t get the point. It’s teaching the child great value. It’s not what is in his wallet, but what is inside him. I pay my kids when I see it fit, but there are times for lessons to. I give them rewards for good deeds without someone telling them to do so. Paying this kid for the way he acts is encouraging him that what he’s done, giving his mother a bill is right. That’s why there are so many people only care for themselves because parents neglected to teach them good values.
Trevor
at 9:09 pm
Pay the kid the $15 and tell him great job and thank you. Don’t expect that your “dread and worry” and all of the things that are required of you as a parent and human being have any currency whatsoever, especially to a child.
The kid in this story showed commitment and responsibility. I’d pay him the money and then lead by example to show him that some work and sacrifice should be given freely.
Angela
at 11:32 am
Hello Julie, I can relate somewhat to your plight. However I do something different now and it is called “pay it forward” meaning that in giving freely at every opportunity to do so, and not having any expectation of an outcome. Knowing though that as freely as I give to one someone will give to me. What one puts out one receives. If it is mistrust then you will only attract people of that nature! Many blessings to all!!!! <3
BILL JOYCE
at 10:38 am
IT IS REALLY DIFFICULT, ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE, TO GIVE TO OTHERS WITHOUT EXPECTING AT LEAST A CONSCIOUS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT WE HAVE SACRIFICED FOR THEM.
AND WE MUST LEARN TO GIVE – GIVE FREELY.
WHEN OTHERS DO NOT KEEP AGREEMENTS, DO NOT MAKE THAT SAME MISTAKE AGAIN.
LOVE FREELY, GIVE IT AWAY. KEEP WHAT YOU NEED.
Julie
at 5:58 am
I feel that I have given many times, finacilly, mentally, physically, the people seem to be oblivious to be treated with respect, to be repaid in reasonable time for the agreed a out,given in good faith love, money time when is it my turn to get back. Why happened to do onto others as you would have them do onto you. More and more I trust less.