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The Perfect Gift.
Submitted by: Kristen M.
Asheville, NCHello! My name is Kristen and I live in Asheville with my husband and two children. I feel so grateful to have read The Secret a few years ago. I have read all of The Secret books and I play the CD’s often in the car so my children become familiar with the messages. I’m a full-time mom now, but I also have a Master’s degree in Social and Economic development and I’m a certified Pilates instructor. Currently I’m working on renovating my house and writing a children’s picture book.
I have always felt uncomfortable when I come to a stop light and there is someone on the street asking for money. I guess I do not really know what to do. I question myself and my potential actions. Should I give them money? Is it better to not give them money? Are they really going to use the money for food? Am I being scammed? I feel bad if I do give them money, and I feel bad if I do not. I can feel how my negative feelings spread to my children when they are in the car with me. They are confused about what to do, too. I was thinking about this recently after reading The Greatest Secret and ‘The Science of Getting Rich’ by Wallace Wattles. So, I asked for a feel good, clear answer about what to do. I placed my order, and then I let it go.
Several days later, a circumstance happened during my house renovation where a worker finished a project and charged us almost twice the amount of the original estimate. I had known it would be more money due to some unexpected issues, but I did not expect quite that much more. When I received his bill, I wrote the check easily and happily and told myself that in the future I would manage projects more closely so I would not be surprised by a larger bill. Well, that was not how my husband felt. He was furious. As I listened to his beliefs about the situation, I began to question my own judgment. Did I get taken advantage of? Should I have paid that bill? I am usually good with money, how did I fail this time? At the time I wrote the check, I was not worried about it at all. But, soon afterward, it seemed as though I had made quite a mess for several people, including my husband, the contractor, the project manager, and eventually the worker who was contacted by the contractor to refund part of the money. I decided to welcome the feelings of disappointment, confusion, embarrassment, and self-doubt.
As I was crying, all of a sudden, a light bulb went off. I received the answer in regard to what I should do when I see someone on the street asking for money. I sat down and began writing several drafts of a note that I would eventually attach to a $20 bill and give to someone who was asking for money on the street. I took ideas from The Secret, The Greatest Secret, and The Science of Getting Rich and wrote my own simple message that this money was not charity because they are poor, but a gift because they are rich with receiving all good things. As I was writing drafts, doubt started to creep in. Would they use the money to buy drugs? What if someone can’t read the message? What if someone doesn’t want my stupid message? I stopped myself and heard my inner voice say, “Create the life you want.” I wanted to find the perfect person to receive my message and the $20. It took me several days to formulate a simple, clear message but I didn’t like the way the words looked on the paper. I remembered I had bought some beautiful paper in Italy and it was just sitting on my desk waiting to be used. I wrote the message on that paper and addressed the envelope with “You are perfect.” I asked to receive a sign and a feeling when the timing was right to act on giving this gift. I asked for the perfect person to receive my perfect gift. I let go of fearful thoughts about doing it wrong, being confused, or being afraid the money would fall into the wrong hands. I asked for the situation to work out perfectly for everyone involved. I asked for it to make a positive difference in that person’s life. As I began visualizing, I actually saw someone take the note I had written and quickly stuff it in their pocket without reading it. I didn’t feel afraid of my thoughts though. I let the thought play out in my mind and eventually saw the person who received the note hand it to another person and ask them to read it. The message I had written inspired both people and made a difference for them.
Whenever I feel inspired I withdraw $20 from the bank, write my note on the beautiful paper, slip it into my glove box, and know that when the Universe sees the perfect timing, I will be inspired to act. Giving someone $20 who truly needs it along with this message of love feels so good. I know it’s a gift given and received from the heart.