Could You Give Away Your Most Precious Gift?

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I love this post about giving by Fairy Godmother Danielle LaPorte of Carrie & Danielle. Enjoy! Carrie & Danielle’s book Style Statement will be released in Spring 2008 and I hear Oprah’s been calling.

Again, I must bow to Pema Chödrön, whom I think is one of the coolest Buddhists nuns in action. I am reminded of a wonderful, gentle exercise of hers that always rocks my sensibilities and softens my heart.- Danielle

THIS WEEK: Look at your stuff.

Step 1: Ask yourself this question: In terms of stuff and your lifestyle, what do you hold most precious? Scan your home, all that you own. Review your schedule, your hobbies, your favorite activities. What would give you acute panic to part with? What are you loath to let go of? What do you dig so deeply that the very thought of giving it away or not having it in your life makes you want to hurl? Your mother’s diamond? Your morning yoga class? Your yearly vacation?[I adore plenty of things, but for the most part, I consider most stuff … well … just stuff. No problem, I thought. My wedding ring? Yep, I could part with it. Our love is stronger than gold. Family photos? Whatever. The memories live on in my heart. My ritual bubble baths? Life would go on. I ran through it all in my mind, grooving on my Zen-ness, until I hit a jaggy snag … my car. My new zippy wheels! My freedom! My independence! My comfort and ease! I couldn’t part with her, my shiny Fitserella (yes, I named her, attached as I am). These Buddhists must be joking if they think I’m going back to a bus pass and schlepping my kid and laptop in the rain. Puhleese.]Deep breath. Regain Composure.

Step 2: Imagine giving away your Most Precious Thing. Not just doing without it yourself, but actually giving it to other people to enjoy. How do you feel? Heavy with guilt? Panicky and pissed off? Enlivened and relieved?Keep going…. Now, imagine giving away hundreds of your Most Precious Thing. Freely. With a smile. To anyone and everyone. How does that feel?Whether you experience dread or universal oneness, don’t judge yourself for it (that would be a backfire of all this good Buddhist introspection). Just notice. Simple awareness is the aim.Because, somewhere in that awareness, messy or clear, is a soft and open place from which many things can just come, and many things can just go.

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