The golden rule, which seems to apply to everything in life, is to give whatever it is that you want to receive. If you want something, then give it away. If you want to really experience something, then give it away. If you want abundance, give it away. If you want love, give it away.

Most of my clients learn this through the consulting process—especially with respect to mental states. Whatever mental state you give away, you get back yourself even stronger. Thus, if you give out fear, your internal fear increases. If you give out love, the love inside of you increases.

At Christmas time we are particularly preoccupied with giving. What do I get Aunt Sue? She gave me a tie last year; perhaps I should give her a scarf. What should I get for Uncle Alex? He plays golf, so perhaps some new golf balls.

Some of you probably enjoy giving. Some of you probably enjoy receiving. Some of you may enjoy both, while some of you may hate both. Yet such giving should not be done with the expectancy of receiving. Instead, it should be done with the joy of giving.

Merry Christmas, from all of us at the Van Tharp Institute.