Teaching children to share must begin with us. If we do not know how to share other than having to, how can we teach them differently.

As a child I was taught that sharing is a choice not a responsibility. I was also taught that honoring my desires was most important, that when and if I decided to share it must come from a positive position in my heart. The feeling of sharing was peace, joy and love. If the decision to share did not bring these feelings, sharing was not appropriate at the time.

I was also taught that God is the source of everyone's good and that my sharing was not their source. Only my source to feel peace, love and joy. I could only share that which I had so much of, that it would not create a shortage in my life.

Being the first grandchild in a large family created an abundance of gifts at the holidays. Sharing my abundance for the pleasure it gave me was stressed rather than sharing out of guilt that I had too much.

Easter used to bring me, 30 to 50 baskets with stuffed toys, chocolate bunnies and a mountain of candies. So we would have a party for the neighborhood. Other kids were encouraged to bring their extras to the party so they could share in the sharing. Whatever was left over at the party was sent to the local orphanage on that same sunday so it would not seem as leftovers to the orphans. We all got to share in this manner.