Greed is good - when you have nothing. It is terrible when you have enough.

How much is too much? This question applies to more than greed. How much is too much Love? Safety? Fear? These are things you will learn on your journey. On your search for the truth. The idea that greed is good is one of the most insidious half truths that you will confront in life. You need things to survive. You must eat. You must drink. You must sleep. You must breath. Life isn't just about surviving however. To be fulfilled you must also love and laugh. Greed will not bring you any of these things. Generosity will.

You have wanted many things growing up. Some I have been able to provide, others not. I sometimes chided you for wanting too much. I was wrong. It is okay to want things in life. I've seen the trouble that excess can bring and felt the need to protect you from it. I would often guide you back to the safety of mediocrity. I don't want that for you either. I want you to choose fantastic! I want you to be the best you can be. As long as you can lift others up rather than tear them down.

I want you to remember that it is okay to go after what you want in life. Just make sure you give more than you receive. It is not what you have accumulated that will matter in the end, but the lives you touched along the way.

Generosity is giving.  It can be the most selfish act of all.

How can giving be selfish?  Giving will provide you great joy.  It is an expression of your love. The most generous gifts you can give are your time, attention and understanding.  These are the gifts that will be remembered.

I remember when you got your puppies.  I didn't expect you to burst into tears like you did.  It was the first time I witnessed your tears of joy.  It was a moment of truth I'll never forget.  I didn't realize it at the time, but your tears were not motivated by the love you had just received.  Rather they were motivated by the love you could now give.  I had given you something to love.

Prior to that moment, my focus was on more practical things.  Who would walk the dogs?  Who would care for them when we went on vacation? Never did I stop to think that this was a need, and not a want.  They are now a part of our family in every respect.

I want you to remember to be mindful about what you are giving.  It may not always be what you expect.  A gift might give a lot more than expected or, if unreciprocated, turn into a gift of guilt.  If you want to give a gift, be discrete.  Your love will always be the greatest gift of all.