Happy Thanks+Giving!

I just wanted to say Thank You for either being a student at the academy or a member of my list.

I hope that you are having an incredible Thanksgiving Day with the people you love. I am truly grateful that you are part of my life!

Here’s share a quick little Thanks Giving story I wanted to share with you … it means a lot to me, because it’s about the first time I felt an amazing surge of ‘joy from giving’ flowing through me.

I was in my early teens living in Malibu (this is where I lived with my family until college). I had saved up a lot of money (I was a kid, so it wasn’t that much, but to me it was a lot). I didn’t really know what I was going to do with this money, perhaps buy a new surfboard or motorcycle helmet or something like that. I just knew that it was going to be something for me.

Then I got an idea. I’m not sure where it came from or why I got it, but I went with it.

My idea was to go to the local plaza in Malibu and spend all of my money on my mother, father and sister. There wasn’t any particular reason to buy gifts for them … no obligatory birthday gifts due, etc. Regardless I hopped on the bus and went to the shops. I remember feeling so happy as I looked through the different items I could choose for them. It was also fun imagining the expressions on their faces when they got these unexpected gift, especially from ME.

I say from ‘ME’ because this was a big breakthrough. Up until this point in my life I had allowed fear to prevent me from freely giving, from my heart. I think this came from a selfishness that was fueled by the fear-based idea that I had to take care of myself, therefore I couldn’t focus on giving to others.

I’m sure this was coming from the self-centered ego I had developed due to my upbringing … but that’s a totally different story.

Anyway I found a gift for each person, personally wrapped it and gave it to them later that day. I LOVED the joy I felt in giving those gifts that day. I didn’t want anything in return. I didn’t even want or need a thank you in return. I did it because it simply felt wonderful to give. On that day I learned the art of giving. When we give from the heart we receive SO much.

Today I understand why this feels so good. When we get out of the way, let go of fear, selfishness and ego … we are allowing the energy of love and gratitude to flow freely through us.

This energy feels better than anything in the world, perhaps in the Universe. For me this feeling of giving is even better than receiving a gift.

So today (and everyday) I want to be a vessel that allows love to flow through me to my family, my friends, and all of you :-}

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Tristan