The Art of Giving and (Not) Receiving

The Art of Giving and (Not) Receiving

By Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar

Isn’t it intriguing how life can unfold? You invest your heart, soul, time, and energy into someone or something, and what do you get in return? A simple thank you? Occasionally, but often, you might find that nothing comes your way. It feels akin to tending a garden that never seems to bloom, no matter how much you nurture it. Yet, some things remain unchanging, don’t they?

And still, we keep showing up, giving ourselves fully. Why? Perhaps it’s because we’re hopeless romantics at heart clinging to the belief that one day, the universe will respond with a glimmer of gratitude, a small token of acknowledgment, or a well-deserved blessing. But reality often tells a different story. The scales seem permanently tipped in favor of the giver, like being caught in a cosmic joke where you pour yourself out, and surprise you receive less in return. It’s a bit tragic, yet somehow amusing in its absurdity.

But here’s the catch: we persist in giving. Why? Because, fundamentally, we are nurturers. Regardless of how lopsided our returns may feel, there’s a profound joy in knowing that we contributed something meaningful to this world. Perhaps that is the true treasure of our existence. It might feel like we’re being paid in Monopoly money fun to hold onto but essentially worthless in the grand scheme of things. Yet, it still counts for something.

On a personal note, I’ve reached a powerful realization: my Creator has showered me with blessings in ways I often failed to recognize. I’ve been given abundance when I least deserved it and have received gifts without appreciating their true value. This awakening has compelled me to confront a difficult truth: I don’t always reciprocate the same positive energy back into the universe or toward the people who truly deserve it.

Even with this insight, I remain steadfast in my role as a giver, despite what my ego or the world might suggest especially toward those who seem cold, ungrateful, selfish, or arrogant. Why do I continue this path? Because I’ve been there. I’ve ignored my Creator’s guidance, taken blessings for granted, and yet, I’ve still been enveloped in love and abundance. The irony is striking; even when I felt unworthy, the universe kept giving to me.

I recognize that my genuine affection, kindness, empathy, and compassion are real. These qualities serve as deposits into my spiritual bank account, accumulating wealth in ways that can’t be measured by worldly standards. In that sense, I am richer than I ever imagined not because of what I have received, but because of what I have chosen to give.

What’s the deeper lesson here? Perhaps it’s that being a giver, even when it feels like a thankless endeavor, carries its own form of strength. Even if we’re not reaping the rewards we think we deserve, we can find solace in the fact that we hold something of real value. Maybe one day, that parched garden we’ve been tending will surprise us with a bloom or two. Until then? We will continue to give, chuckle at the absurdity of it all, and trust that, at its core, the act of giving transcends anything we might hope to receive in return.

After all, some things might never change but maybe, just maybe, that’s perfectly okay.

In the grand tapestry of life, our giving is a thread woven into the fabric of the universe, binding us to something greater than ourselves. It reminds us that even in the silence of unacknowledged generosity, there lies a sacred connection that transcends the material a bond that nourishes the spirit and invites us to embrace our shared humanity. So we keep giving, not for the return, but for the joy of being part of something divine and beautiful.