Thuy Nguyen is a licensed acupuncturist and mother of three wonderful children. Berkeley Community Acupuncture represents a culmination of her love of Chinese medicine, her commitment to family and community, and her desire to effect positive social change. She is a certified Medical Qigong Practitioner and this article is reprinted from her blog. ​
SEED QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: What do you make of the distinction between freely and free? Can you share a personal experience of a time when you were able to give freely from a space of abundance? What is a practice that helps you stay rooted in abundance, regardless of the monetary system you engage with?
What a beautiful article and answer to my quest to know, Who am i and what am I doing. Now i can say that what i am doing is the "most natural expression of who I’ve become and of who I am." Thank you
Beautiful and thought provoking. I'll be enjoying this throughout my day...and hopefully life.
Beautifully said. Thank you for finding the words to express what I have not been able to. I too like to give freely and my motives have been questioned. Your well articulated understanding helps me find the words to understand myself. Thank you again.
In my personal philosophy, "free" connotes the law. What is mandated by 'law' to be free, e.g. food stamp, bus ticket, etc. as mandated by either law or other eligibility criteria. Whereas, "freely" means availability as needed.
My thoughts , emotion and occasionally action flow freely when the I'm not confined with the give and take practicality of everyday life. when the heart is un constricted and in a natural state of being part of the wholeness, then the flow of life moves freely towards others.
A beautiful sharing! I am thankful for your free gift!
This is a very powerful reminder. If only politicians realized the power in giving freely instead of just giving for free. I read a quote by Jimmy Carter about this the other day about different parties claiming to be Christian based and yet yelling loudly when tax money goes to programs for the needy. If we all just gave freely without expecting, our world would be a much different place!
I spend two days a month holding hands at a clinic for women/girls who are going through abortions. I wipe their tears and I love each and every one of them. They often thank me but it is me who is grateful to them for allowing me to be there to comfort them during this emotional/physical trying time in their lives. What I get out of this is the pure balance I need in life as I work in retail which has it's own 'sufferings' to deal with.
So beautifully expressed. I had a similar exchange at work today when someone I work with made comments that were so far away from how I think and behave - that I was completely dumb-struck. I realized that we approach the world very differently. I paused. I accepted that the interaction was meant to teach me something that I needed to learn. I talked with someone who shared my values. It helped to heal the hurt I felt from being put down for my being. I found the courage to walk the path I was on, even if I had to go alone. I spoke my truth. I thanked the person for their candid feedback and said what I was going to do and why. I know I do not need her acceptance or approval, and I do not need for her to see the world the same way as I do. I am happy to have clarity on my choices, and that is a blessing. It frees me.