Think back to a moment when you received an unexpected, priceless gift—a gesture so pure it caught you completely off guard. Recall your expression. The warmth that surged through your body. The shift in your breath. The softening in your voice. Where did you feel the emotion—in your heart, your belly, your eyes? And how did you feel toward the person who gave it?
Now, reverse the memory. When was the last time you offered such a moment to someone else? A small act that opened their heart, widened their smile, or brought tears of joy to their eyes?
The answer to both those questions tells us much about our inner world—and the spirit that quietly governs our daily choices.
Of Boys, Homecomings, and Unniyappams
Do tender gestures of kindness still move you? The kind that aren’t grand but are quietly generous? Gestures that make you feel fuzzy, sentimental, and surprisingly emotional?
They may be rare these days, but they still arrive, often without notice—little waves of grace that wash over the ordinary.
My teenage son, now fifteen, has been studying at a boarding school for two years. Yet, each time he returns home to Bangalore, his childhood friends—those who’ve known him since their early school days—gather like bees returning to a hive.
On his recent visit, after his Grade X board exams, a lunch reunion was in order. Two of his friends playfully nudged him into securing an invitation, citing fond memories of my cooking. I was flattered and delighted to host.
The boys arrived one by one that afternoon. One came bearing a small pack of unniyappams, a traditional sweet snack. “Aunty,” he said, “My mom made these for you. She said to ask you if you liked them.”
It was a simple yet touching gesture—personal, thoughtful, and brimming with warmth.
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Another boy handed my son a box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates. I playfully teased, “So he gets the chocolates and I get nothing? I’m the one who cooked! Shouldn’t I be the one receiving gifts?”
The boys chuckled, exchanged guilty glances, and soon we were all laughing. The moment lingered like soft sunshine—light, heartwarming, and deeply human.
The Spirit of Giving as Spiritual Practice
True giving is not about quantity—it’s about presence. It is the offering of love, wrapped in intention, shared without ego.
Giving, in its most honest form, is a spiritual practice. It’s the vibration of shared joy, the frequency of open-heartedness. Whether through acts of charity, support, hospitality, or simple kindness, giving requires awareness. It asks for compassion. It demands that we step outside the tight boundaries of self.
And the more we embody this, the more we nurture our Spiritual Quotient—the quiet, unseen intelligence that governs peace, compassion, and soulful leadership.
There is a vast difference between giving from obligation and giving from presence. One is rooted in ego; the other flows from the higher self.
A Gift Is Never Just a Thing
Author Vera Nazarian offers a beautifully sharp reflection on gifting: “Gift giving is a true art.”
She outlines three simple truths:
- You must understand the person you’re giving to.
- You must know what they truly desire.
- You must be capable of offering it.
Anything less, she says, may reflect distance, ignorance, or even unintended offense. And yet, even a humble substitute—when offered with honesty and care—can be just as beautiful when it carries the right sentiment.
Genuine giving, then, is not transactional—it’s emotional, intuitive, and attuned. It’s a mirror reflecting how deeply we perceive and value the other.
Inheritance of Generosity
Many of us grew up in environments where gifting was tradition-bound—more about social duty than soulful expression. But I learned the art of giving not from rituals, but by watching my mother.
Her generosity was quiet, yet extraordinary. She seemed to intuit what would bring joy to someone. She gave thoughtfully, selflessly—often without ever being reciprocated. And that never stopped her.
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I often wondered how she just knew. But I now realize—she gave not from her mind, but from her heart.
Passing It Forward
Which brings me to an important question— Are we teaching this art to our children?
My answer is both reflective and intentional. Yes, I want my children to be emotionally and spiritually intelligent. I want them to understand the beauty of giving—not just as a gesture, but as a way of being.
When they visit someone’s home, I encourage them to carry a gift—or at least offer something meaningful to acknowledge the kindness received. Not as a payback, but as an expression of gratitude.
Recently, my daughter—who studies in Pune—was speaking fondly of a classmate’s mother who often hosts her. My immediate suggestion was simple: “Next time you visit, take a small gift. Let her know you’ve felt the warmth, and you wish to return it with love.”
That is the spirit I wish to cultivate.
The Invisible Rewards of the Giver
So what, really, does the giver gain? The act of giving connects us to our essence. It enhances our sense of being. It creates an invisible medium of unconditional love; allowing joy and fulfilment to flow through our lives by doing for others.
Giving is not just an act—it’s a test of our intention. It reveals how we relate to others, and to ourselves. It brings depth to our existence. It sharpens our mindfulness and softens our edges.
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In a world obsessed with acquiring, owning, possessing, and hoarding—giving is an act of defiance. And of liberation.
No, it isn’t always easy. But the joy of witnessing someone receive, the lightness it brings to our being, and the silent applause from the universe—isn’t it worth every bit?
To Give Is to Express Who You Are
So let your gifts—whether material or emotional—be an expression of your inner spirit.
Give because you see someone. You care. And that, ultimately, is how we grow. In a world that often prioritizes taking, hoarding, and accumulating, giving becomes a quiet rebellion. Not always easy—but always freeing. It is a path to spiritual awakening, self-growth, and joy.
Because the act of giving is the expression of the spirit.
It reveals who we truly are.
