The Giving of Spirit

Linda Heron Wind, Ph.D.

As we approach the holiday season, so many people seem to be caught up in gifts - buying them, finding the right one, wanting to receive them, giving them out of obligation, giving them out of love. It seems each year that the Christmas retail season starts earlier and earlier. This year Christmas things were out before Halloween. Many stores opened at midnight or 5 am after Thanksgiving with sales that create a competitive atmosphere - those there first get the best price. What a strange way to prepare oneself for the rebirth of the light into the world!

We are called to get into the spirit of giving. I don't think that just means that we should buy more for more people. Instead, I would rather focus on the giving of spirit at this time of year. We can touch each other in ways that enliven and enlighten the spirit at this darkest time of the seasonal cycle. For tribal people living in community, the dark time leading up to the winter solstice was a time for sharing dreams and stories. With no TV to create stories for them, the stories told were given to them by spirit in their dreams and visions to share with each other. These stories told of how to live in right relationship with each other and Earth. They brought light and spirit into the community as everyone remembered their innate connection with the divine.

That which is freely given to us through no effort on our part is called grace. Giving with spirit is allowing spirit to work through us to bring grace to another. Sometimes it comes as a smile or word of appreciation. Sometimes it is a physical gift of something that is needed. But most often it is a genuine feeling of love and connection with another human being. Even though a physical gift can make us happy for a short time, it is the spirit that comes with it that warms our hearts from the inside forever. So allow spirit to move through you as you connect with family and friends, neighbors and strangers, sharing and listening to reweave the web of light that shines in the darkness.

Giving of Spirit
Both sharing and listening
Is the one true gift

If you have comments on this article, call Linda Heron Wind at (585) 924-5620 or send e-mail to LHWind@aol.com.

Page last modified on December 2, 2006 by RMC