It is true that one cannot give what one does not have; one has to be filled with positive feelings to share, be in possession of material resource of pleasure and happiness to give.
However, the good news is that everyone always has something or the other to give, even an unsought-after advice. I would however, refrain from giving any advice for the fear of what if I am wrong.
Everyone has some trait of positivity hidden within their hearts, be it love, empathy, kindness, gratitude, or even an expression of happiness, a smile. All these are for free, none of these costs anything except the willingness to share. Invariably such favors are returned, instantly as in the case of smile, so long as it is genuine. Try this with a baby, as soon as you smile, the baby reciprocates; you have immediately put a smile on baby’s face, unless your demeanor while smiling frightens the baby.
In my view, healers, preachers and teachers are the best placed to give when it comes to professional positive contributions to individuals, class, congregations, community and the society. They always have something to give even when they are materially poor. This is simply because while choosing these vocations, they have committed themselves to serve. They have to fill themselves with compassion, with the joy of caring, helping and serving others. People depend on them in their hour of need and crisis. They have to demonstrate trust and faith so that others can believe in them unconditionally. In many communities, the preachers are considered as angels leading the path to salvation; and the healers as incarnations of God, capable of giving the lease of life.
As a healer, before thinking of giving, I would start by feeling the pain and agony of the sufferer. I would start by giving a smile before adding anything else. Even when I may feel helpless to help, I would give a word of compassion. After all, according to Sir William Osler, this may be the last medicine I can administer to patients in their last moments of need.
Physician, heal thyself before you can heal others; fill yourself with compassion, so that you can put a smile on someone’s face.
It is true that one cannot give what one does not have; one has to be filled with positive feelings to share, be in possession of material resource of pleasure and happiness to give.
However, the good news is that everyone always has something or the other to give, even an unsought-after advice. I would however, refrain from giving any advice for the fear of what if I am wrong.
Everyone has some trait of positivity hidden within their hearts, be it love, empathy, kindness, gratitude, or even an expression of happiness, a smile. All these are for free, none of these costs anything except the willingness to share. Invariably such favors are returned, instantly as in the case of smile, so long as it is genuine. Try this with a baby, as soon as you smile, the baby reciprocates; you have immediately put a smile on baby’s face, unless your demeanor while smiling frightens the baby.
In my view, healers, preachers and teachers are the best placed to give when it comes to professional positive contributions to individuals, class, congregations, community and the society. They always have something to give even when they are materially poor. This is simply because while choosing these vocations, they have committed themselves to serve. They have to fill themselves with compassion, with the joy of caring, helping and serving others. People depend on them in their hour of need and crisis. They have to demonstrate trust and faith so that others can believe in them unconditionally. In many communities, the preachers are considered as angels leading the path to salvation; and the healers as incarnations of God, capable of giving the lease of life.
As a healer, before thinking of giving, I would start by feeling the pain and agony of the sufferer. I would start by giving a smile before adding anything else. Even when I may feel helpless to help, I would give a word of compassion. After all, according to Sir William Osler, this may be the last medicine I can administer to patients in their last moments of need.
Physician, heal thyself before you can heal others; fill yourself with compassion, so that you can put a smile on someone’s face.