HAPPY VALENTINE TO ALL

I Give My Heart

Today I was deeply touched by the meaning of Generosity. As I moved through my day offering my time and services there was a lightness a buoyancy if you will that felt to my core.

It goes without saying that the presence of my Beloved Elder Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha surounded me. I can tell you truthfully I have never met a more generous human being in every sense of the word both known and unknown.

Generosity is the habit of giving freely without expecting anything in return. It can involve offering time, assets or talents to aid someone in need. Generosity is not solely based on one’s economic status, but instead, includes the individual’s pure intentions of looking out for society’s common good and giving from the heart. Generosity should reflect the individual’s passion to help others. In Buddhism, generosity is the antidote to the self-chosen poison called greed.

On this Valentine Day as  I created ways to give out warmth and best wishes for the many this story came to me.  That just says what I wish to share this day.

Not A One.

Little Chad was a shy, quiet young man. One day he came home and told his mother that he’d like to make a valentine for everyone in his class. Her heart sank. She thought, “I wish he wouldn’t do that!” because she had watched the children when they walked home from school. Her Chad was always behind them. They laughed and hung on to each other and talked to each other. But Chad was never included. Nevertheless, she decided she would go along with her son. So she purchased the paper and glue and crayons. For three weeks, night after night, Chad painstakingly made 35 valentines.

Valentine’s Day dawned, and Chad was beside himself with excitement. He carefully stacked them up, put them in a bag, and bolted out the door. His mother decided to bake him his favorite cookies and serve them nice and warm with a cool glass of milk when he came home from school. She just knew he would be disappointed and maybe that would ease the pain a little. It hurt her to think that he wouldn’t get many valentines – maybe none at all.

That afternoon she had the cookies and milk on the table. When she heard the children outside, she looked out the window. Sure enough, there they came, laughing and having the best time. And, as always, there was Chad in the rear. He walked a little faster than usual. She fully expected him to burst into tears as soon as he got inside. His arms were empty, she noticed, and when the door opened she choked back the tears.

“Mommy has some cookies and milk for you,” she said.

But he hardly heard her words. He just marched right on by, his face aglow, and all he could say was: “Not a one. Not a one.”

Her heart sank.

And then he added, “I didn’t forget a one, not a single one!”