22 September 2008
To Foster Life
Posted by Robin Easton under: Hobnobbin' with Robin .
Awhile ago a fellow blogger posted a video titled, “If Only for a Moment”. You can see Dereck’s video below. The video is about his dream to bicycle (solo) across part of America to help change his life and the lives of others in positive ways. Dereck and his wife are trying to find sponsors, raise funds, etc. for his trip. The video brought up many insights into my own life.
I thought about the times when I’d had a huge dream but not the means to fulfill it on my own. More importantly, I didn’t know I could ask for help. I thought I had to do everything on my own. Up until the last twelve years I didn’t feel comfortable accepting help from people when I was going through a difficult time. I also thought that if I asked for help I had to be on death’s door. It couldn’t be for something as trivial as a life dream. That was asking way too much when there were people starving or dying of cancer or homeless.
I’ve since learned to not only give but to receive. I’ve also discovered that helping a young girl in Africa (see first video and link below), or saving the Ruahines mountain ranges in New Zealand (see link below), or helping someone like Dereck fulfill a personal dream are of the same value to me. Giving to one does not prevent me giving to another. It is only when I have a mindset of there not being “enough”…that there isn’t. I no longer judge one “giving” as more important than another, because there is more where that came from. And we are all one.
Giving to someone can take many forms, just as wealth exists in many forms. I don’t have to have tons of monetary wealth to bring about positive change in the world. I can give as little as $5 and make a huge difference in a child’s life in Africa. I can help write a petition to save pristine mountains in New Zealand. I can give $5 for a personal dream. I can make a positive difference in my world. We ALL can…every single day. Dollar by dollar, hug by hug, petition by petition, love by love.
I give because it is the natural joyous flow of my life…of all Life. I fall in love with Life every time I give…and receive. When we open our minds and hearts we realize there is enough for us all. When we let go and give we actually receive, and in turn when we receive we give. The potential for positive change is at our finger tips. May you be part of the grand flow of Life: giving, receiving, living and loving.
Love,
Robin
NOTE: Please forgive my being out of the loop the last week or two. I’ve had much work that needed attending and flu to top it off. I also was so long in front of the computer due to work that it has affected my vision. I miss you all and hope to catch up over the next couple of weeks. Thank you my kind friends for bearing with me. Live each day because Life is the most astounding miracle.
Love,
Robin
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This Site: © Robin Easton
Website: www.nakedineden.com
Blog: http://nakedineden.com/nakedinedenblog/
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~ EACH OF THESE CAUSES is dear to my heart although they are all very different, and yet they are all the same because they each represent the desire to foster LIFE.
I Dare You
http://www.girleffect.org
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If Only For a Moment
http://www.iwillnotdie.com/who-will-be-caesar/
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PROTECT THE EARTH
Save the Ruahines Ranges (click photo to sign petition)
27 Comments so far...
Nick Grimshawe Says:
22 September 2008 at 9:55 pm.
Hi Robin,
Your post touched me deeply as I have had problems with asking for help myself. Like you I thought it was the very last thing to do when everything else had failed. Of course my then it is too late for help. I’m getting better but still not all the way there. I still think asking shows up a deficiency in me that I should some how over come.
Giving does come in many forms and it is important to recognize your own unique form of giving.
Some people give without seeing they are giving.
Best
Nick
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Bird Says:
23 September 2008 at 1:27 am.
It’s so easy to feel impotent that it’s hard to know sometimes that just talking about something is giving – passing on information that can be acted upon, as is the case with your friend’s mountain. Just passing on the word to the right place is one of the best things we can do and as old as humanity. You could regard this kind of asking for help as giving in itsself; just think of all the people who WANT to help but wouldn’t have even known about it if you or your friend had never spoken.
On a more intimate level, if I am in town and a woman or man is struggling with a baby buggy, I try to help. I was a nanny once and know how it feels to struggle with that buggy. I can still remember all the kind anonymous hands that helped me up and down staircases, or on and off the bus, without having to be asked. Yes, every single one! They don’t know how important their generosity was, but I do 
I learned a fair bit about giving and receiving help in that way.
This is why your belief in giving every day is so vital and the fact that you have shared it will remind the rest of us of what to do, so that we can wash those dishes, sign that petition, help that lady on the bus, pass on the name of that book or lock arms with a new friend at a demonstration, and do it with joy.
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Robb Says:
23 September 2008 at 1:51 am.
Kia ora Robin,
What you have given to me is a voice where I struggled to find it. I don’t know what will become of our battle, but I know now it is really a war and I must be a voice for Nature. You and Ophelia, and others have given so much to me and these far away mountains. I will carry your Spirits with me every time I am there. Kia kaha, and thank you for your presence in my life.
Aroha,
Robb
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Shirley Says:
23 September 2008 at 5:20 am.
Robin, this is the perfect post for what I just posted on My Thoughts. I do firmly believe it is better to give than to recieve. During Christmas I ask that people spend it on the kids and leave us out of it. I’m happy seeing the excitement and joy on the faces of my children. It makes me feel good when I am able to do something for someone else.
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JaneP Says:
23 September 2008 at 7:54 am.
Thank You for the great read! The biking trip that Dareck want’s to take is in some ways simular to the trip I would like to take. I want to combine a fund rasier with a journey of self realization. I have always had one goal in my heart and that was to help people yet I am frightened by my own actions. Women do not go out alone on adventures of this nature especially when they are finacially challenged. I would like to ask for help in my endevor but I would also like to invite others to join me on my journey because I am not the only person stuck in a nearly unproductive life cycle.
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K. Fields Says:
23 September 2008 at 9:59 am.
Robin, this post is so amazing! It speaks to the heart of what makes people the most different of all species on this earth, and that is the ability to chose to get past one’s self to help another.. Amazing, touching and so true.. Thank-you so much for sharing, these thoughts will be with me the rest of the week!
~K
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Ophelia Rising Says:
23 September 2008 at 11:02 am.
Rob – Yes, I understand. I have such trouble receiving, especially when I feel down-trodden or full of despair. I think I should be able to hash it out on my own. I think I should be “strong” enough to work it out, independently, without involving others.
But what you say is true. When a person gives, the joy that is taken from the act of giving is as uplifting as the joy one feels from receiving. Sometimes I think giving brings about more joy, so that when someone allows me “in,” allows me to help, to make a difference, to join in a fight or offer a hug, or just to listen, I soar. The kind of giving where one does not expect anything in return, is what makes humans divine. It’s a energy boost to the spirit.
Which is why I must re-think my stance on accepting help. I must allow others to do so, for if I do, they will, in turn, be lifted, and I will be an integral part of that.
It comes down to love. It’s a true form of love, unconditional giving. To be a part of that is to aspire to greatness. Thank you, my friend, for helping me to see this so clearly. xoxo
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Julie Says:
23 September 2008 at 11:38 am.
Hi, Robin: For the past week or so, I’ve been pondering how to express my thoughts on what you’ve said here: “When we let go and give we actually receive, and in turn when we receive we give.” I think there’s a deeply profound truth in your statement! ~ Julie
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Dereck Coatney Says:
23 September 2008 at 2:41 pm.
Oh Robin, what a wonderful post. It’s been a gift to know you ever since I met you…
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Alexander M Zoltai Says:
23 September 2008 at 2:49 pm.
That video about the bike trip is very well done!
As I was reading your post, I thought of mentioning Kiva and then I saw the video.
Immediately posted it on my New Forum. It supports the blog and I sure hope you’ll bring your love and wisdom over and share it liberally !!!
~ Alex from Our Evolution
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mrtumnas Says:
23 September 2008 at 7:02 pm.
As Jesus Christ said “It is more blessed to give than receive” I’ve found that true many times in life. I have a tendency to be a little greedy when it comes to money, but the times that I’ve given to causes or helped someone out it gave me a sense of joy greater, or at least different than when I get my paycheck at the end of the week or a stock I purchased goes up.
Great post!
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Liara Covert Says:
23 September 2008 at 9:59 pm.
What you say here resonates with me. I have explored and continue to explore different kinds of giving to organisations like Foster Parents’ Plan and charities. I do things spontaneously, whatever feels right without thinking. We are one with giving and receiving. Did you ever hear the phrase, “A bad man is a good man’s job, and a good man is a bad man’s teacher?” Waste no opportunity. Abandon no person. This is something each person can instill within the self.
When I learned of Dereck’s prospective bike ride discussed in this post, I thought immediately to Ewan McGregor and his best friend who were sponsored to ride motorbikes down through Africa. It is a continuing National Geographic series. The Motercycle Diaries is an intriguing story and film about a motorcycle tour across South America. people venture out on soul journeys in their own backyard and to distant regions of the world. What matters is that people exert efforts to believe in themselves, their choices and journey to deeper self-understanding.
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JOURNEYTIME Says:
24 September 2008 at 7:19 am.
Robin,
What we all want, but are to afraid to ask for—when one is able to not only give of oneself, but be able to take what others are willing to give, the circle is complete and both parties become empowered and in a win-win situation.
We all have the power to change a moment in our lives, which in turn changes someone elses moment and the more each are able to embrace this new mindset, the more we are able to feel empowered and less like the victims in some mindless random b-grade movie.
To be able to create that mindshift and seize some of the moments in one’s day in a selfless way will go a long way to eradicating the present status quo of people who feed off others insecurities and exacerbate the divisions for there own selfish gains.
Your writing is pivotal and a catalyst in changing that mindset—
take care
namaste
derick
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Sandra Says:
24 September 2008 at 7:49 am.
Robin,
What a profound truth. It is not only a blessing to give but to also receive. I have found that it is a humbling experience to receive when I have usually been in the position of giving. It makes us all one in the universe. Awesome post as always!
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the fearless blog Says:
24 September 2008 at 10:18 am.
Oh so true so true my friend.
I too have always had difficulty “asking” for help. When I was younger, I thought “for sure” I could do it all myself-be Superwoman/Linda Carter. I made my own life more difficult than it really had to be. Now, age and a little wisdom have kicked in and I find it easy to ask and expect help from others, especially when I am overwhelmed.
The girleffect.org video has made a big impression on me. I will surely pass this on…
Thank you for bringing such important issues and causes to the forefront.
Without awareness very little can be done to affect change.
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Nards Says:
24 September 2008 at 12:06 pm.
“When I was younger, so much younger than today,
I never needed anybody’s help in any way.
But now these days are gone, I’m not so self assured,
Now I find I’ve changed my mind and opened up the doors” – The Beatles
As you already know Robin, I express myself best in lyric quotes. 
. I like to give, but I never thought of being as open to receiving. It has always been a difficulty of mine. I would rather give than have to be given to. Much gratitude to you for the fresh perspective and for helping us to realize that it’s ok for it to work both ways.
Today, I give you my sincere support and Thanks – Nards
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Nards Says:
24 September 2008 at 12:08 pm.
Oh, and I forgot…hope you are feeling better – Nards
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Evita Says:
24 September 2008 at 3:21 pm.
Robin first and foremost I am thrilled to see you back and with another post! And one which as always touches the heart in a very profound way.
You learned a deep and valuable lesson indeed in receiving just as in giving and I loved how you expressed your words about your own life.
Many times people in our world, especially the really good and selfless people go through life giving to others and many times at a great sacrifice to themselves. And this is so noble and so beautiful because through their words and actions they touch more lives than they could ever imagine.
But receiving is a blessed thing as well, because through receiving you are letting others experience the gift of giving and that as you know feels amazing and really is a priceless experience!
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PetMono Says:
25 September 2008 at 6:33 pm.
Robin, interesting! One normally thinks of giving and taking. But giving and receiving… I consider myself a giver more than a taker but feeling a bit selfish these days so this post is a bit of a prod. I am thinking if it is easier to give to strangers than to friends and family. Gets personal I guess.
I have gotten better at asking for help. It is easier after you have done the deed once or twice. In a weird way when you ask someone for help you can feel like you are inviting them to give which is good for them. Peace Robin.
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soulMerlin Says:
26 September 2008 at 10:21 am.
Your video of women is wonderful. In this still male dominated west (even christianity and islam are so male orientated) it’s good to see a video redressing the balance.
I’m thinking about Dereck’s bike trip and I’ll see what I can do.
love
henry
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JJLoch Says:
27 September 2008 at 5:34 am.
What a beautiful soul you have, Robin. 
I have dedicated my life to God and it has brought AMAZING results.
I will pray that you feel better and for your causes when Jeff and I have our heads bowed in church tomorrow.
Hugs, JJ
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earthmother Says:
27 September 2008 at 9:09 am.
We must be the change we wish to see in the world.
~ Mahatma Gandhi
You’re doing it. You’re living it.
Thank you for being such a vibrant light in cyberspace, Robin. Every time I stop by your blog, I feel my spirit has been nurtured and fed.
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Debbie Hartmann Says:
27 September 2008 at 8:46 pm.
Your post contains many words of wisdom.
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rosS the lemon Says:
29 September 2008 at 9:55 pm.
Nice to run into you again amongst the produce!
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Julie Says:
30 September 2008 at 3:56 am.
I deeply enjoyed reading this post Robin, thank you. When we hoard and protect our money, we never seem to have enough of it. But, if we share our money (within realistic measures) somehow we are magically abundant!
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Greg Says:
30 September 2008 at 5:11 pm.
My dear Robin, a touching and lovely post, which is just as I expect when I visit here. Thanks for reminding us that there is enough when we agree that there is…an excellent thing to remember when so much of the nation is up in arms about money…wealth takes so many forms, very few of them recognized by banks and corporations.
Sorry to hear about the flu…what a rum time of year for that! Hope it was quick like a summer storm and you are outside once more! Your garden looks quite beautiful at this end of the season. I hope you are finding time to sit beside it and let it whisper to you!!
: )
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brainteaser Says:
3 October 2008 at 1:49 am.
Thank you for being such a gift.
Thank you for the profound thoughts!
I love your heart and soul. Bless you, Robin!
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