“The happiness you feel is in direct proportion to the love you give.”
~ Oprah
Franz Kafka, at age 40, who had never married and had no children, was walking through a park in Berlin when he noticed a little girl crying because she had lost her favorite doll. Kafka suggested that they look for the doll together but were unsuccessful.
Kafka and the girl meet at the park the next day to continue looking for the doll. After searching for a while and not finding the doll, Kafka gave the little girl a letter written by the doll saying, “Please don’t cry. I took a trip to see the world. I will write to you about my adventures.”
Thus began a story that continued until the end of Kafka’s life in 1924.
During their meetings, Kafka read the letters written by the doll, which included adventures and conversations that the little girl found comforting. Then, one day, Kafka brought the doll back (he bought a new doll), which had returned from its travels.
“It doesn’t look like my doll at all,” said the girl.
Kafka handed her another letter in which the doll wrote: “My travels have changed me.” The young girl hugged the changed doll and happily brought her home.
A year later, Kafka died.
Many years had passed, and the girl, now an adult, found a letter inside the doll. The letter said, “Everything you love will probably be lost, but in the end, love will return in another way.” It was signed by Kafka.
Kafka’s life was enriched by gifting that young girl with the wisdom of acceptance and change. She didn’t realize how impactful the exchange with Kafka would be on her life until after she read that last note. Little did she realize the gifts she herself had given to Kafka.
Giving is receiving…Giving is more than an exchange of physical gifts and time. It’s a shift in your consciousness that affects the receiver and you as the giver, which fosters a greater sense of inner peace and heartfelt joy.
Make kindness a habit.
To Your Success,
Peak Performance Coach