We Are What We Give

"Let me help you with that," I said, noticing a girl struggling to pull her motorbike out of a crowded parking row. I handed her my lunch bag to hold, then reached for the handlebars. After a bit of maneuvering, the bike was finally free. "Thank you so much!" she said with a small bow.

How did I feel at that moment? Cool? Heroic? Not really. I just felt happy. I simply wanted to help her, nothing more, nothing less. To me, spreading something positive brings joy. Yeah, helping others makes me happy.

We don’t give what we have; we give who we are.

I used to think that giving was an act of will—that we choose to be kind, choose to help, or choose to give a gift. But the deeper I go into the journey of self-discovery, the more I realize that giving isn’t a series of isolated choices. It’s a natural "overflow" of what is already inside us.

Like the story I shared at the beginning, everything happened very naturally. And it was that very spontaneity that seemed to catch the girl off guard. I just saw someone in a tough spot, knew I could help, and so I did.

Some people might jump in with: "He’s just showing off" or "He's just trying to impress that girl." Showing off? No. I help people when they need it, not to prove I’m better or smarter than anyone. I do it because it’s the right thing to do at that moment, because I’m capable, and because I don’t want to walk away with a nagging sense of regret. Trying to impress a girl? Come on. Whether it’s an elderly person or a little kid, if I can help, I will.

Perhaps those people are so full of doubt and calculation that they find it hard to believe pure kindness still exists. They give out judgment because that’s what they have within. As for me, I choose to give help, because that’s the person I want to be.

Reflection on what we give.

What you say about others and what you offer to the world is essentially a mirror reflecting your own soul.

• When you offer forgiveness, it’s because you’ve learned to forgive your own flaws.

• When you offer criticism, it’s often because there’s a "judge" inside you who is incredibly harsh on yourself.

There was a time when I was very "allergic" to people who frequently shared their achievements on social media. I thought they were just showing off (looking back, I realize how petty that was). But later, I understood: I judged them because I was drowning in my own insecurities. I hated how they dared to shine because I was terrified that if I did the same, I’d be judged. I gave out sarcasm because I didn't have enough confidence to be honest with my own dreams.

The world around you is like a giant screen, playing back the movies running in your mind. What you give to a colleague, a stranger on the street, or a loved one… is the most honest reflection of your mental health at that moment.

Creation is a form of baring one's soul

For bloggers like us, every post is a gift. I’ve realized that I can’t write about freedom if my mind is still chained by the fear of being judged. When you read these lines, you aren’t just consuming information. You are receiving a piece of my energy, my thoughts, and a part of who I am. I can only give you what I have.

P.S.

Instead of striving to be a "great giver," perhaps we should go back to taking care of ourselves. When you are whole, when you are at peace, and when you truly love yourself, giving becomes as natural as breathing. You don’t have to "try" to be kind. When you are kind, everything you touch will carry that warmth.

Today, what do you feel is dwelling inside you? And have you, intentionally or not, "given" it to anyone yet?