giving, abundance, and some gaia news

This world is so full of funny puzzles.

Yesterday, I finished a beautiful book called The Power of Giving. I'd taken my time, carrying it with me over the past week to read snippets and to remind myself of the importance of an attitude of service and contribution. (The next time you feel disheartened at work, for example, try imagining that you're being paid for the opportunity to give in some way. It's always amazing to me what that flip in perspective can do.)

I was struck by one story the book about a man who went to his fireplace and told it, "Give me warmth; then I'll provide you with wood." The authors wrote that giving doesn't work this way--we don't get first and then give; rather, it's only by giving that we can be open to receive, and (they go on to say) it's only by giving unconditionally that the true benefits come.

My own heart couldn't help but whisper agreement... and then I remembered another book I'd been recently sent.

Esther and Jerry Hicks just (just!) released a brand-new work called Money and the Law of Attraction. Halfway through this book, they asked the question: "How can people get past the belief that they must give a dollar's worth of something to get a dollar's worth of something?" The response involved a story about understanding the laws of the universe, and sounded entirely different from the message of the book above.

So which is it? Must we give in order to get, or is receiving our natural birthright?

Both books are newly available online, and it's interesting to compare the pages: if you buy The Power of Giving, the authors will donate their proceed to charity, and if you go with Money and the Law of Attraction you'll be  flooded with dozens of gifts and free bonuses (to help practice, I suppose, what it means to open to receive!).

What approach resonates with you? Which would you pick? Or do you see the two perspectives as really, at heart, being one and the same?

In giving (and getting) and gratitude,
Siona

PS. I mentioned a bit of our news! We just found out we're eligible for nomination in Co-Op Ameirca's Green Business of the Year competition. Obviously, though, this is just a first step, and it would be wonderful if you could help us with the next. :)

To nominate us for the People's Choice award, just go here to fill in our company name (Gaiam, Inc), location (Boulder!), and the reason (because Siona told you to!... though I'm sure you can think of a better answer. :). Or, if you'd like a little more information first, there's a longer update with the news here.