Give Without Expectations of Reciprocation

It's common for us to receive a gift from a friend and get the giddy, "Oh my gosh, I love this, Thank you so much, I love you...etc..." followed immediately by... "Gosh, now do I have to give something to them?"

I fall victim to this guilt trip, especially when it comes to birthday season and Christmas holidays. True, if someone gives me anything-I want to reciprocate the love and appreciation. But when I think about the act of giving, I love the feeling and would never expect someone to feel pressured to return the "favor". Just enjoy the act of love for one another. Ever read "The Giving Tree?" It's one of my favorite stories ever told. Nothing but pure love from the tree to her "little boy" with no expectation of a return.

How lovely the feeling of over-pouring adoration from our hearts only to provide a friend, family member, or (my favorite) a complete stranger with the emotions of love and appreciation. Today, I challenge everyone out there- Call a friends to tell them you love them, shoot them a text to let them know you are thinking of them, write them a poem, pick them a flower (or 2...or 34). Buy a stranger a cup of coffee, or simply smile at the next person who walks by and grant them a wish for a happy day ahead. Give the gift of love and appreciation without expectation of reciprocation. And the feeling you get in return will surely, purely be enough.

(Photos from WEHEARTIT)

If You Think Through Pictures...Write

-Artists at Gallery 23

 Sky and Anger

The sky is on fire and anger lit the match. Together, they stir the sea with chaos and laugh through fits of thunder, shaking the earth. The mountains quake, the sun stays below the horizon as long as she can, baffled by their commotion and lunacy. But they see her rising to battle, and they aim their ammunition towards her heart. Lightning sparks the trail of ashes and gunpowder, clouds that get caught in the cross fire, illuminating the sinister smiles of the morning. Blood sheds from the sun across the body of Sky and Anger, and yet, she seems to prevail. The clouds suppress her pain, join the fight, and vanquish anger's fury. He falls into the calming waves of the sea at the hilly basin. The sky is left without comrade, and he has no choice than to surrender, before he drowns in the bloodflow of the sun. Still breathing and beating with life, they come together, Sun and Sky, to bring us the day.
Can't all battles end this way?