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Sparks + Embers Episode No. 014: Break Week and Giving
52 Plays2 months ago
We are taking a break in the Apprenticeship Model for Leadership Series this week, with a short reading from Kahlil Gibran's classic collection, The Prophet.
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Transcript
Introduction to Sparks and Embers
00:00:05
Speaker
There's something about a campfire. We gather around it, stare into the flames and find ourselves in conversations we never planned to have. I'm Tiffany. And I'm Tyler. And this is Sparks and Embers, 10 minutes of what sticks when we step back from the fire.
00:00:21
Speaker
Each week, we distill insights from our kindling newsletter, sharing the questions that won't let go and the connections that surprised us. We hope this creates space for whatever wants to emerge around your own fires.
Announcement and Leadership Series Update
00:00:35
Speaker
We're going to be taking a break this week in Sparks and Embers and the Kindling. We are continuing to work on the next installment of the Apprenticeship Model for Leadership series that we have been doing for the last four weeks.
00:00:48
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The next installment in the series is going to focus more on a broader governance model and how leadership shows up within that model.
Reading from The Prophet
00:00:56
Speaker
In the meantime, we're going to do a reading today from one of my favorite poets, Khalil Gibran, and his collection of poems in The Prophet, which we highly recommend. But we're going to be reading his installment about giving, and we hope you enjoy this.
00:01:12
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Then said a rich man, speak to us of giving. And he answered, you give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. For what are your possessions, but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow.
00:01:28
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And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the overprudent dog bearing bones in the sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city? And what is fear of need, but need itself?
00:01:42
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Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, the thirst that is unquenchable? There are those who give little of the much they have, and they give it for recognition, and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.
00:01:56
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And there are those who have little and give it all. These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty. There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.
00:02:11
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And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism. And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue.
00:02:26
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They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.
Philosophy of Giving Discussion
00:02:31
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Through the hands of such as these, God speaks, and from behind their eyes he smiles upon the earth.
00:02:39
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It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked through understanding. And to the open-handed, the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving.
00:02:52
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and as there aught You would but only to the deserving.'" all you have shall some day be given therefore give now that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors you often say i would give but only to the deserving The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture.
00:03:12
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They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish. Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights is worthy of all else from you.
00:03:25
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And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your little stream. And what desert greater shall there be than that which lies in the courage and the confidence Nay, the charity of receiving.
00:03:41
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And who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride, that you may see their worth naked and their pride unabashed? See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver and an instrument of giving.
00:03:56
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For in truth it is life that gives unto life, while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness. And you receivers, and you are all receivers, assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives.
00:04:16
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Rather, rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings. For to be over-mindful of your debt is to doubt his generosity, who has the free-hearted earth for mother and God for father.
Subscribe and Share the Podcast
00:04:32
Speaker
Thanks for sitting around the fire with us. If these conversations sparked something, subscribe to Sparks Numbers and all our shows on Apple and Spotify. And if you're moved to, please leave us a review or share this episode with your friends.
00:04:44
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Both help us build this community. For the longer material that feeds these episodes, subscribe to the Kindling newsletter at goodpainco.com backslash kindling. That's goodpainco.com backslash kindling.
00:04:58
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We release it weekly with the kind of content that keeps these unexpected conversations going. We provide the kindling, you bring the fire. Until next time, keep the questions burning.