I’ve written before about the power of giving and the universe returning much more back to you. It’s done amazing things in my own life, both financially and in terms of feeling great! 
Giving works on a few levels:
1) You are affirming to the universe that you have more than enough, so the automatic response of the Law of Attraction is to shift your circumstances so that you DO have more than enough. Sometimes in very creative ways!
2) It helps build up your “faith muscles.” When you’re struggling with a strong lack mentality, it’s hard to give. You start feeling all these little nagging worries, like “what if I can’t pay the bills because I made this donation?” or “What if my bonus doesn’t come through - then I’m screwed!” But if you can purposely shift your focus away from these fears and keep affirming that the universe always provides, everything works out - simply because you did shift your focus.
3) Giving is really just an exchange of ENERGY. Money is energy. Love is energy. Happiness is energy. Joy is energy. And energy must FLOW. It can’t be bottled and kept on a shelf. It can’t be gripped fearfully. The more you let it flow out, the more you’re allowing it to flow back IN.
If you receive Notes from the Universe, you probably received a notice about this yourself, but if you didn’t, Mike Dooley has started a new monthly project, Gifts from the Universe. Each month a new cause or charity will be featured, and you can make a donation - as little as $1, or more.
This month’s project is Operation Smile, which treats children born with facial deformities like cleft palates and more. I can’t think of a more worthwhile place to send some of your abundant energy. Please consider sending as much as you can - maybe even a smidge MORE than you think you can. As you give, imagine the brand new radiant smiles of the children you have blessed. 
Then affirm with absolute faith that the universe will return your gift to you in a multitude of ways, multiplied ten times over. It must, because you want to be sure you can donate even more to next month’s project, right?
Visit Gifts from the Universe now.
EDIT: LOL! Right after I posted this message, I continued reading my email and this happened to be today’s Insight of the Day: “The Universe wants to give to you. The moment you begin to change your vibration to one of abundance, it will start sending you people, situations, and opportunities that reflect your inner state.” - Peggy McColl, Author of ‘21 Distinctions of Wealth’
Wendy
CreationThoughts.com
WingsfortheHeart.com
May 1st, 2008 at 5:48 pm
I love giving. Some people think I do it to get attention, but it makes me feel really good inside. I get a lot of self-worth from it, and again it does affirm to myself that I have enough to be giving. Though there have been times when I’m in need of receiving and still give…because it’s not hard for me to remember that there are always, always people out there with much less that what my family and I have.
May 2nd, 2008 at 6:19 am
That’s a great outlook Diane! I couldn’t agree more, it really helps you keep your own issues in perspective.
Wendy