Giving Simply to Give

"There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward. And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism. And there are those who give and know not the pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with the mindfulness of virtue; They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space. Through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth." -- Kahlil Gibran

During holiday seasons, we face many occasions of giving gifts. It is very common to give in exchange for a feeling of joy and it is equally common to give for the sake of a gift-exchange ritual, but let's remember to be mindful in our givings. Gifts are tokens from the heart and they should maintain their integrity; if values, judgments and expectations are put aside, each act can be an embodiment of a heart- felt gift that is given simply for the sake of giving. With nothing too big to give and nothing too small to receive, let love be the radiance of every action.