GIVING

Definition of Giving:
Freely transfer something or experience to someone.

Synonyms of Giving: 
Hand, offer, bestow, confer, donate, contribute, bequeath, etc.

These notes are from recovery in AA and/or related 12 step programs. Readers are encouraged to click external links for more detail. We hope you find them helpful.

Love in fellowship.

Learning to be a healthy giver can be a challenge.
Charitable acts motivated by uncharitable feelings backfire.

Recovery includes a cycle of giving and receiving. Be patient. Balance will come. –The Language of Letting Go/Melody Beattie | More…

The Great Spirit created a system of balance and justice.
This law says, if you treat others with respect, you will be treated with respect.

If you gossip about no one, no one will gossip about you.
If you are fair in all of your dealings, you can expect the same.

If you share with others, others, will share with you.
If you judge others, others will judge you.

You will always get back what you give out. The original teaching talks about being a giving person. A giving person will constantly be on the receiving end. –Elders  More…

For a new prospect, outline the program of action, explaining how you made a self-appraisal, how you straightened out your past, and why you are now endeavouring to be helpful to him. It is important for him to realize that your attempt to pass this on to him plays a vital part in your own recovery.  –As Bill Sees It | More… (p.275)

What is healthy giving?
It is giving that feels good and does not leave us feeling victimized.

It is giving that holds the giver and the receiver in high esteem. It is giving based on a desire to do it rather than from a sense of guilt, pity, shame, or obligation.

It is giving with no strings attached.
It is giving based on a clean, direct contract.

Whether it is giving our time, efforts, energy, comfort, nurturing, money, or ourselves, it is giving that we can afford. We need to learn to give in ways that work for us and others –The Language of Letting Go/Melody Beattie | More…