THE JOY IN GIVING

Dr Henry Cloud shares a simple yet wonderful story of giving in his book "The Law of Happiness", Howard Books, 2011. As he walked his three-year daughter to school one day, he simply suggested that she find someone to share something with, in school that day. On picking her up from school his daughter told him she had shared some cookies she made at school with another kid. Then she told him that something had happened to her. 

"Daddy, something happened. I do not know what it is," and went on to explain. "Well, when I gave Brandon the cookies, I felt something in here. Right here", saying it she began to point at her chest. "It felt really warm in here. What was that?" she asked her dad. "It feels really good. I want to do that some more. I like it." she continued. And so the Dr explains to her, the feeling that she felt when she gave was that of love for another. It made her feel nice and warm inside. 

The key to happiness is in giving. You feel good when you give. Dr Henry asks "Could there be a better barometer of happiness than one's own heart?" Giving is sacrificing something we have for another. Then these act of giving has to become a way of life and not on occasions or remain an isolated gesture. 

I was not a charitable person before I came to read the Nadi. Agathiyar had to nudge me into parting with my money by asking me to carry out remedies, giving gifts of money and food to others, etc. He then, through subsequent Nadi readings, spoke of the merits of giving. I listened and found ways of giving. It felt good. I needed him to give me a nudge. Tavayogi too upon me meeting him for the very first time showed me photos of the charitable activities he was doing at his ashram. He invited me over to his ashram in India. He lighted the spark of giving in me that day. My very first annadhanam was at the grounds of his Kallar ashram. It felt good. Later when Supramania Swami wanted to feed a thousand souls at Thiruvannamalai, I took up his request. Although he had left his mortal frame by the time we had the opportunity to carry out his last wish, Jnana Jhotiamma and I shared the joy of giving on his behalf.

Many who turned up at AVM's doorstep, stood at the doorway, took a peek, inquired a bit, wanted to know what we were doing, asked what was in it for them, what was there to gain from it, and left, never to come back. But the few who dared to step inside and observe and follow gave a hand and learnt a thing or two, soon saw enormous benefits and joy in staying engaged with our activities.

We have a string of events lined up for the coming month.

Upcoming Programs

*30 March PPR feeding - the regular feeding sessions in conjunction with the Jayanthi of Siddhas.

*13 April Natchathira Maalai - a show put together to showcase the talents of the ATM family members.

*19 April Siddhar Vizha - we join in the worldwide celebrations for the Siddhas.

*21 April Outing at Eco Hill - a recreational program to move all those muscles led by our Yoga masters at ATM.

For someone who is not keen on the rituals, we showed them another door that of doing charity. You have to taste to know that sugar is sweet. No amount of discussion or talk or explanation can bring you the feeling that one goes through in doing Erai's task. 

One has to give out of faith first says Dr Henry. Even if it does not give a warm feeling in the heart, as the Dr says, we do it for the sake of complying with Erai's wishes for a start. On the onset one follows the word of Erai, blindly. It might hurt to give too, having to part with a day's earning and our hard earned money. Soon one starts to give out of empathy the Dr says. What was fear and respect for Erai's word slowly leads to compassion building up from within. Then he goes beyond just giving money to charitable organizations but rather goes to the ground and helps the unfortunate, giving his time, energy and resources and doing it with his heart and soul. Then one begins to look for opportunities to give by seeking out the poor and giving. 

Dr Henry guides us further in giving. Make a commitment to give a certain amount regularly and allocate some time for doing charity on a regular basis. Those who are reluctant to give initially, who feel pressured to give, or give under compulsion, will come forward to give freely eventually. That is the magic of giving. But we are not to burn ourselves out in giving. The Dr reminds us that having limits does not mean we are selfish. Do not wear yourself out. Remember we need to stay on our feet to help another. Erai gave us good health so that we shall help another. Erai gave us wealth so that we assist another. Erai gave us a good education so that we share our knowledge with another. 

Then if you can afford to give a bigger piece of cake, do so. Joining up forces with others to work towards giving is an effective way to help a wider range of people. It helps bring the volunteers together and bonds them, mutually motivating each other too.

Finally giving charity is giving without asking anything in return, no favours nor help in return.