The Best Gift Ever

Picture by Gargi (Lakshmi) An old blind woman gives all of her fruits to the child Krishna, afterwards she finds her empty basket mysteriously full of valuable jewels.

For my birthday Jill and Carla conspired to actualize an idea I had once voiced. The idea is to do some service for others in the name of someone, then to write a story about this anonymous service done in that person’s name and give the story as a gift. Well for my birthday I received many, many such stories, and I have to tell you it contributed to my 60th as the best birthday I have ever celebrated. Below are some of the examples of the written stories, others were related directly through storytelling, all were touching and heartfelt and I feel so blessed to receive such wonderful gifts of love and light. May these stories spur us on to live a life of loving service to God in all forms, those closest to us as well as the one who comes as a stranger. I think you will find these “gifts” interesting in their varied and creative natures.

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Thanks for the reminder. I want to make a contribution but feel a little funny writing down my good deeds–kind of like trying to get credit for something I should just do quietly!
But if it makes David happy I am all for it.

•  I picked up trash along a favorite forest trail so other folks wouldn’t have to look at it–thinking of David, God and Mother.
• I paid $1200 for ______’s dental surgery because she had no way to pay for it herself–three extractions. She’ll pay me back when she can but seeing her out of pain is a pretty nice payment all by itself.
• I loaned _______ enough money to get home as his debit card suddenly had no balance after a canceled hotel stay. He was very grateful and it felt good to help out.
• I gave a couple at a rest stop along I-5 $20 dollars to help them out–they had a little sign and the man was playing a nice melody on the flute–Amazing Grace. And his flute was nothing more than some PVC pipe he had cut some holes in–the picture of simplicity.  He was older and had one of those craggy, lined faces that look so worn–but it lit up into a beautiful smile when we interacted—so that it wasn’t too hard to imagine him as Ram Himself in disguise!

All these little deeds can’t help but bring up feelings of God, the Masters and of course David–because he does so many wonderful things for us. It’s nice to do good for others with that same spirit of service and gratitude. It seems that even though we are trying to help others we are the great beneficiaries–it’s strange but doing good brings great feelings of gratitude for the one giving, so even though we may not be doing an act with the expectation of reward, we get one anyway! Hah! Isn’t God delightful!

• One thing I did for others during a cold time, was gathering up about 10 coats, long underwear, jogging pants and tops and socks and delivered them to the Caring Place. These items will be distributed to the homeless.
• I still want to deliver some blankets to the outreach society.
• Brought my wedding dress over to show a young girl- she put on her princess dress and we had a party.
• Bought muffins for staff meeting and let them know if was in honor of David.
• Supported ________ while he dealt with a cancer scare.
• Helped an elderly man put his groceries into his car.
• Gave gifts of confidence to other women.
• I’m finding it hard to identify “random acts of kindness” and realize that we devotees live our lives at all times in some degree of service, and, are frequently seeking feedback within ourselves as to the balance and harmony in these daily acts. As this is your birthday celebration, and since Carla sent the request, I’ve been focusing my “random acts” and sending them toward your beautiful, loving Self.
• In honour of your 60 years, donated $60.00 to a food bank.
• This is perfect timing.  I quite often ask God to work through me, to help people…but on this one particular morning I asked with much more urgency. Within a few minutes of starting work a co-worker was trying to arrange a ride home that day for ______; she usually has her husband pick her up daily, but the two of them have had many health challenges for several months. ______ is very soft spoken and shy to ask for help. I jumped at the opportunity to drive her home that afternoon and I expressed to her that any time she needs a ride home, or to be picked up for work, to please let me know.  She was very grateful; even better than that God came through – again!  This random act of kindness, was a beautiful answer to my prayer, that again shows me God is always so very near & dear. I feel wonderful being of service to God in this small way, I will continue look forward to letting God use me in any way He wants. Om Sri Ram Jai Jai Ram OM!!!
• I have been thinking of this for a few days now and have just listened to a talk on how to be happy in the work place.  We have had two feet of snow this past month and are giving the Antarctic a run for the coldest, windiest place on earth and my act of kindness is to not curse the weather but to thank God for the stamina to withstand, not to curse the cat, and to feed the stray cats that come to our home to weather the storm.  I used to think God had a mean sense of humor sending me out to the mid-west but now I thank Him.
• I focused on Valentine’s Day, channeling God’s love into special messages and gifts for the random and not so random of His children. I felt His great delight in sneaking Valentine cards, chocolates and flowers into mailboxes, doorsteps and on desks. How much He loves His children! All as the work of His loving heart.
• We handed out beautiful red, pink and white carnations to “strangers” on the street—I was filled with God’s Joy in doing this, I could clearly see all these different faces and reactions as God Himself playing merrily in His love lila. One of the most memorable faces of God was on my sister—such joy and love was flowing out of her without restriction. I cannot remember seeing her so happy. 

• It was a good experience, a contradiction to my pattern of self-involvement. So I did a few little acts, some of which seemed to take more effort than others. Mostly what I did was to contact people who I know are struggling in some way. First I had a few phone visits; _____ who’s been challenged with unemployment for a while now. Then I had a few phone visits with ____ who sounds to be wearing down quite badly. He still has a good chatting spirit though and we’ve plans to get together soon. I also called an old friend who’s not doing so well either but is always so pleased to hear from me so that wasn’t difficult. I invited her to a neighbourhood party. I also sent cards with a beautiful John O’Donahue poem inserted to an old friend who lost her husband a few months ago. Last night I wrote a kind of love letter to my sweet friend ____, whose mother recently passed away. I plan to keep this practise going because it soothes my soul as well as anything I offer.

• In honor of your Birthday I have Sponsored ________ for one year at the Anandamayi Ma school. This is a kind act that I had intended to do earlier in the year and it had fallen between the cracks. I hope you had a beautiful day!

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I have often thought what this world would look like if everyone practiced the “golden rule,” to treat others as you would like to be treated. The great “secret” in giving in this way is that the giver feels such great joy in the giving it is difficult to know who receives more, the giver or the receiver.