Giving for Real

by Merci Gracia | Aug 18, 2016 | Generous

Expecting something in return for a ‘gift’, isn’t real giving, it’s making a trade. Even just wanting an ‘appropriate’ response of appreciation muddies the waters of the offering. Pretending to give when there are actually strings...

True Giving

by Merci Gracia | Dec 4, 2015 | Generous, Giving

True giving asks for nothing in return. When you want something back, even credit for your generosity, it’s more of an exchange than a gift. When you give without expectation, the joy is in the giving, so you don’t have to wait until you get acknowledgment...

The Gift of Attention

by Merci Gracia | Nov 21, 2014 | Generous

Practically everything you do is designed to help you get attention. From the things you talk about to the skills and talents you develop, your expression is intended to make an impression. Recognizing the truth of this universal desire helps you to understand that...

Giving and Receiving Are the Same

by Merci Gracia | May 18, 2013 | Abundance, Generous, Giving

When you give, you receive multiple benefits. You feel good when you think about giving, again when you actually give, and finally, every time you remember what you’ve given. Enjoying such tangible rewards from the act of giving indicates that they’re not...

Do It Now

by Merci Gracia | Apr 8, 2013 | Compassion, Forgiveness, Generous, Now, Relationship

Do you ever look back over the years and think, ‘that seemed like it happened just yesterday?’ If so, you know how ephemeral life is. The reason to refresh your memory about life’s brevity isn’t to induce alarm or distress. It’s merely...

Be Nimble

by Merci Gracia | Apr 2, 2013 | Acceptance, Generous, Relax

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.” Regularity can be extremely beneficial when learning a musical instrument or a new language. But just repeating unconscious patterns out of habit can keep you playing...