The universe rewards a cheerful giver

Christmas is a season when people tend to give more than they do at ordinary times.

To some, giving brings them joy while others are forced to give because it’s the dictate of the season.

This piece is addressed to the latter, those who give because they’re forced to do so because it’s Christmas.

When you joyfully give in this season of giving, you set off the give-and-take cycle.

Deepak Chopra, bestselling author of numerous self-help books, puts it very intelligently in The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success:

“Giving engenders receiving, and receiving engenders giving. What goes up must come down; and what goes out must come back.

“In reality, receiving is the same thing as giving, because giving and receiving are different aspects of the flow of energy in the universe. And if you stop the flow of either, you interfere with nature’s intelligence.”

Chopra continues: “The more you give, the more you will receive, because you will keep the abundance of the universe circulating in your life. In fact, anything that is of value in life only multiplies when it is given.”

“If, in the act of giving, you feel you have lost something, then the gift is not truly given and will not cause increase. If you give grudgingly, there is no energy behind that giving,” says Chopra.

Haven’t you noticed why rich people, who give vast amounts of money to charity, become even richer?

What they give away comes back to them, multiplied. Ten times, even a hundredfold.

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But it’s not only in material abundance that one who gives joyfully is blessed.

The universe has other ways of rewarding the cheerful giver.

Giving doesn’t only mean parting with one’s material possessions but also with one’s time and effort to benefit others.

I’ve been witness to the generosity of the universe to people who give of themselves, their time and effort in helping others.

I see the universe’s generosity towards Dr. Sammy Tanzo, a surgeon at St. Luke’s Medical Center who heads the Sagipbayan Foundation which is composed of doctors, dentists and nurses who treat poor patients gratis et amore.

Tanzo is an individual who appears to be brusque, if you don’t know him. Inside, the guy has a golden heart.

He heads a medical mission once or twice a month to poverty-stricken areas because he loves giving service to the poor.

He’s one doctor who doesn’t believe in living healthy: he doesn’t drink water but instead downs several 2.5 liter bottles of soda pop daily. He also smokes like a chimney.

And yet, after all these years of living an unhealthy lifestyle, Tanzo is very healthy. His blood pressure and sugar count are normal, his lungs and heart are strong.

Tanzo looks much younger than his chronological age which he keeps a secret.

Why? Because the universe rewards him for his kindness and generosity towards the poor.

Another person I know who benefits from the kindness of the universe is Alin Ferrer-Garganera, my chief of staff at Isumbong mo kay Tulfo public service program.

Alin heads an all-woman staff that helps people who are oppressed and distressed, victims of police abuses or persons who are not given attention by government agencies that serve the public, among others.

I’ve never seen Alin complain about the heavy workload, attending to the plight of others.

She is very compassionate and caring towards people who come to the office, especially to the elderly and victims of abuse.

As my cohost in our public service program at dwIZ (882 khz on the am band), Alin is always cheerful as she helps others.

Her two very intelligent sons with husband Jayvee and her happy married life are her rewards.