When it comes to giving, most people are so tied up in the own lives that they don’t really give this axiom much thought. Perhaps they’ll donate some money to their favorite charity or drop some coins into the Salvation Army pot and think they have done their duty. But during this Holiday season, giving is more than just buying presents for people, it’s an act of kindness that greases the very wheels of the universe. It can be as simple as opening a door for someone or as detailed as dedicating to your life to the cause of others. Whatever avenue you choose, the power of giving fuels the very essence of an abundant life. One such woman who epitomizes generosity of spirit is social entrepreneur Meera Gandhi.

Based in New York City, Meera is a regular on the charity circuit and has made a name for herself as a renowned humanitarian and diplomat. She and her husband Vikram Gandhi recently won the Fulbright Humanitarian Award in June 2007 and she is also a former Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nation’s Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative. Her website, MeeraGandhi.com, lists her endless accomplishments, but it’s clear, that despite her numerous responsibilities, her top priority remains infallibly her husband and their three children, Kiran aged 19, Kanika 15, and Kabir 11.

The act of giving or charity is a cornerstone of every spiritual philosophy, but it is so much more than that. Giving is a powerful and proactive action that returns to the giver an abundant life full of contentment and humility. Call it karma or equate it to Newton’s third law of motion, it is considered a universal truth that a truly selfless act of giving brings unparalled rewards back to the giver.

Deepak Chopra states, “The universe operates through dynamic exchange...giving and receiving are different aspects of the flow of energy in the universe…And in our willingness to give that which we seek, we keep the abundance of the universe circulating in our lives.”

Ever since she was a young girl in India, Meera has been giving her time and energy in helping others. She credits her mother for instilling this civic duty in her, but it was another experience that firmly embedded that spirit into her life. When Meera was in middle school, she used to spend almost every weekend at Mother Teresa’s Asha Dan orphanage in Mumbai. During one visit, Meera saw Mother Teresa enter the orphanage and go directly to children showering them with hugs and kisses. Meera thought, “My God, look at the love she has for these children!” A few years later, Meera had the fortune of being introduced to the Saint in person, and she never forgot the lesson learned from that experience. “I was in shock! Here was this tiny woman, about 4 foot 10 inches tall, and she was such a force.” Meera learned from Mother Teresa that “Life is what you make of it. Life is about what we give and what we share with others. Never be afraid of anything because fear is the only thing that will hold you back.” (cont.)