Intuitive Giving – When the Giving Gets Tough, Listen

“The Law of Compensation” – click for prints

I’ve got 2 stories for you about intuitive giving today.

You’ve heard of the joy of giving. It’s like turning up the dimmer switch on our inner Light.

As the Law of Compensation teaches, the more you give, the more you receive, building the world you want to live in.

Are you also familiar with the kind of giving that doesn’t feel good? You do it because it’s expected. Or you don’t want to look bad. Then you end up turning down your dimmer switch, and the energy of your gift is lost.

Tis the season for giving, but listen in to make sure it’s coming from a space of love – for your Self and others. That’s intuitive giving.

Sometimes, giving is so easy. It feels completely aligned with your Higher Self.

A few weeks ago, I was approached by Nova Yoga to give art for their silent auction to benefit Heavenly Creatures – a safe haven for animals.   It was so easy to say YES! But that’s because I’d been prepared.

The week before, I’d had an inner sense that it was time to give “Caméo” away. I acknowledged the message and smiled at her. She shines with dalmatian energy.

Soon after, a local acquaintance won the lottery. It got me thinking of what I’d do if I won. My longstanding plan to give to animal charities was still on the list.

So when the request came, it was the most natural thing to do. I felt so happy to contribute to Heavenly Creatures in this way.

“Caméo” 12″ x 12″

I’ve learned though that it’s equally important to say “No thank you” to what clearly doesn’t feel aligned. This means turning down many of the requests for my art, money, or time.

In the last few years, I studied overseas and transitioned to being a full-time artist. I’ve learned a lot about priorities, focus, creative financing, and simple living, just so I could pay the bills and reach my goals.

Sometimes, that meant saying no to donating, to jobs, to unnecessary expenses, or distractions. I’ve given almost everything to my art, which calls me so strongly.

There’s no way I can please everyone, and the cost of being untrue to my Self is too high. So I’ve learned to say “No”.

But sometimes you don’t get a clear “Yes” or “No”. You’re suddenly transported to the land of shoulds, coulds, woulds, and buts. You can’t tell which way your discomfort is asking you to go.

That’s what happened last week.

One of the co-organizers of the Enter the Mandala Winter Solstice Event messaged to ask if we were giving away tickets.

These thoughts came racing through my head:

• We’re barely covering costs as it is.
• Would it be fair to those who paid?
• Would it be fair to our volunteers who are giving 14 hours of their time to experience the workshops?
• How can I honour the leaders financially – their time and energy wasn’t meant to be volunteer.
• I’ve been working at this almost full-time for 6 months without salary – I need to honour my Self.
• Who should we pick to give tickets to?

You get the picture. Part of me wanted to say “yes” because it seemed like the loving thing to do. But that “yes” wouldn’t have come from love. Not yet.

So I prayed for clarity and got it. The next time I walked by my “Law of Compensation” mandala, I was in a much different head and heart space.

I received inspiration to create a Facebook contest for 5 free tickets. The more people Shared the contest and event, the more ballots they got.

This felt aligned and exciting. It created buzz around the event (honouring all involved), and it was the Universe that decided who got free tickets. Perfect!

Saying “Yes” from this space of clarity also took me out of detail-management mode and back into the WHY of this event. It took me back into Love.

I spent the greater part of 2 days on Facebook, connecting with those who wanted to participate. What a heart-opener! I trust that those who are truly meant to be there will find a way to make it happen. And I know we’ve helped.

Giving felt great. But it had to come from a space of clarity first, or else I would’ve resented it. It wouldn’t have been authentic.

So when giving gets tough, listen. It’s either time to say “no” or to grow.

For me, this lesson on intuitive giving was yet another opportunity to let go of fear (scarcity) and connect to the Love that is naturally at the core of us all.

“You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.” Amy Charmichael

May your holiday gift-giving come from that same space of clarity.

“For it is in giving that we receive.” Francis of Assisi