Like many women, years ago I hoped that the man in my life would bring me flowers not only at the time when an apology might be necessary, or on some special occasion, but just because… to express something special. It was only when I became a single woman that I realized I don’t need to wait for anyone to bring me flowers. Since I enjoy them, I can actually treat myself to a beautiful bouquet. This thought began my new tradition. Every week when I went grocery shopping, I would buy myself flowers.
One day as I was coming to the check-out I noticed a woman with four children. She was frequently scolding them. She looked exhausted – no wonder her fuses were short!
As I was watching the family of five, something stirred my heart. I decided to brighten up the situation. Afraid that the stressed mother would not allow me to give her children chocolate bars, I decided I would surprise her as well. After all she needed the uplift the most. I picked out an additional bouquet and before she and her children had packed all their groceries, I already had a separate bill for both the chocolate and the flowers. I presented the mother and the children with the gifts. The expressions on their faces were priceless. In return my heart was touched.
Ever since that experience, I pick out an additional bouquet of flowers while grocery shopping, and give it to someone. “What is the pay-off for you?” you might ask. My answer would be, “Well, simply seeing the surprise on someone’s face.”
The reason I am sharing here the story is not to tell you what a wonderful person I am, but to show you how powerful intentions are.
It wasn’t long after I started this routine of giving flowers to random people that something fascinating started happening in my own life. The more flowers I gave, the more I received!
It happened that one of my sons got a job delivering flowers to local stores. Sometimes when the flowers were close to their “best buy” date he was allowed to take them home. Before I knew it, flowers were coming to my doorstep by buckets!!!
I would run some to my neighbours, take some to work and give them away to anyone I would come across. So many flowers – so much happiness!!!
The greatest Unexpected Gift that came from this experience was not only the joy that the flowers were spreading around, but also the realization of how powerful intentions are.
You see, as I was giving the flowers to people; I was giving the gift unconditionally and that very intention set in motion energy which came back to me a full circle. I received what I gave and some more:)
I realized then how powerful the lessons were which I was learning from my dying patients. They used to tell me they could feel the energy of the intentions of the people around them.
Next time you are giving a gift be mindful of your intentions. They are more powerful than you think.