Fall is a time of giving.

The Fall Harvest makes it possible for there to be something to give away. Nice how things work out that way. And further good news is that giving creates abundance thinking, which in turn creates abundance. But before you start giving things away, what does giving really mean?

Fall is also a time of giving. Throughout the Fall, there are a series of events that promote giving in various ways… First, at Halloween, we give treats to children that come to our homes. All Soul’s Day (Nov 2) is a time of giving thanks and appreciation to our ancestors. In November, Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for the Fall Harvest. Then December brings Hanukah and Christmas – times of giving to others.

The Fall Harvest makes it possible for there to be something to give away. Nice it works out that way. So consider using this time to share what you’ve harvested. Give things away that you no longer need. Go through your home and give away clothes and household items to homeless shelters, the Goodwill or other charity organizations in your area. These organizations are designed to help others that need assistance. And during this upcoming holiday season it’s great for them to have things to give away.

Giving away that which you don’t need it is similar to the potlatch concept of the Native Americans, in which a person would give away their possessions to the other members of the tribe and surrounding tribes. In some cases, they may give away all their possessions and start over. Usually what they gave to each person had a specific meaning or memory that would remind that person of the original owner.

The good news is that giving creates abundance thinking, which in turn creates abundance. So by spending this Fall thinking about your successes (see column on the Ducks Fly Moon) and the Fall season giving to others, your energy will automatically be ready to receive that in the New Year!

But before you start giving things away, let’s be clear about what giving means. Giving isn’t running up credit card balances and worrying about someone liking what you’ve gotten for their holiday gift. That’s not abundance thinking. Instead, giving is about offering things you can comfortably afford without being attached to what the others might think about it when they get it. It’s also about giving away things you no longer need to those less fortunate than yourself.

Enjoy your giving this season. Do it with joy and appreciation for what you have. Lastly, practice giving with non-attachment to the outcome.

Next Month: Asking – an act of abundance