00:30

What Your Marriage Needs: Selfless Giving

by Felix Schaefer

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talks
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Meditation
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Teenagers
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We’re going to explore a powerful and often misunderstood concept in relationships: selfless giving. In the context of love and marriage, selfless giving refers to the act of offering oneself without expecting anything in return, simply out of genuine care and concern for the other person. It is a fundamental aspect of nurturing deep, lasting relationships, where both partners seek to support each other's growth, happiness, and well-being.

RelationshipsSelflessnessEmotional IntimacyVulnerabilityMutual SupportKindnessEmotional SupportBalanceTrustGenerositySelfless GivingNurturing RelationshipVulnerability In RelationshipsMutual CareEveryday Acts Of KindnessRelationship BalanceTrust BuildingGenerosity In Relationships

Transcript

Today,

We're going to explore a powerful and often misunderstood concept in relationships – selfless giving.

In the context of love and marriage,

Selfless giving refers to the act of offering oneself without expecting anything in return,

Simply out of genuine care and concern for the other person.

It is a fundamental aspect of nurturing deep,

Lasting relationships,

Where both partners seek to support each other's growth,

Happiness,

And well-being.

When we think about love,

We often focus on the feelings of joy,

Connection,

And fulfillment it brings.

But love,

Especially in committed relationships,

Is also about sacrifice,

Vulnerability,

And a willingness to give without expecting something in return.

This concept of selfless giving challenges us to shift our focus from what can I get to what can I offer.

In a true partnership,

This type of giving is the bedrock upon which love can thrive and grow.

Today,

Let's explore what selfless giving in love means,

Why it's essential for a strong relationship,

And how it looks in practice.

Selfless giving does not mean giving to the point of self-neglect.

It does not mean erasing your identity,

Your needs,

Or your desires for the sake of the other person.

Rather,

It's about offering your time,

Attention,

And care in a way that is focused on the other person's well-being and growth,

Without the expectation of something in return.

In a marriage or deep relationship,

Selfless giving means being willing to support your partner,

Not because you expect them to give you something in return,

But because you genuinely care about their happiness and success.

It involves being present for the other person when they need you,

Offering emotional support and sharing in the ups and downs of life together.

It is an act that flows naturally from a place of love and empathy,

Without any calculation or ulterior motive.

This type of giving is not about martyrdom or sacrificing one's identity.

True selflessness in love enhances the relationship without depleting the giver.

It is an expression of generosity that enriches both the giver and the receiver.

When we give without keeping score,

We create a space for the other person to feel truly cared for and accepted.

Selfless giving in love is a cornerstone of emotional intimacy.

When both partners are willing to give to each other without expecting anything in return,

A deeper emotional bond is formed.

This bond is built on trust,

Mutual respect,

And a shared commitment to each other's happiness.

Think about the moments in your relationships where you felt the most connected.

Often,

These are the times when your partner gave something of themselves to you,

Whether that was their time,

Their understanding,

Or their patience.

In these moments,

You felt seen,

Loved,

And valued,

Not because you had earned it,

But simply because your partner cared enough to offer it.

Selfless giving is a way of showing your partner that they are a priority in your life.

It signals that you are invested in their well-being,

In their growth,

And in the relationship itself.

It's the emotional glue that holds relationships together,

Allowing both individuals to feel secure and supported.

The more we give selflessly,

The more we deepen the emotional connection that sustains a relationship over time.

While selfless giving may seem one-sided in a healthy relationship,

It is not about one partner always giving and the other always taking.

True selfless giving flows both ways.

Though you may not expect something in return for your generosity,

The act of giving often sets a positive cycle in motion.

Your partner,

Seeing your selflessness,

May respond in kind,

Creating an environment where both people are focused on contributing to the relationship.

Selfless giving does not mean that one partner should constantly deplete themselves without any care for their own needs.

Instead,

It means that both partners find fulfillment in the act of giving,

And both benefit from the relationship in ways that are not always material.

When both partners are selflessly giving,

A natural balance forms where both individuals feel loved,

Supported,

And valued.

It is in this cycle of giving and receiving,

Without keeping track or maintaining a tally,

That love flourishes.

By focusing on what we can give rather than what we can gain,

We create a more sustainable,

Harmonious connection.

In the long run,

This often leads to deeper satisfaction for both people,

As the relationship is built on a foundation of mutual care,

Respect,

And generosity.

Selfless giving,

However,

Is not always easy.

To give freely,

We must be vulnerable.

We must open ourselves to the other person and be willing to give without knowing how it will be received.

This vulnerability is key to creating true intimacy in relationships.

Selflessness means being open to both the joy and the challenges of giving.

It means giving without the assurance of getting anything back,

Which can feel risky or uncertain.

But the beauty of vulnerability is that it allows us to connect on a deeper level.

When we offer ourselves fully,

Whether through emotional support,

Time,

Or simple acts of kindness,

We invite our partner to do the same.

Vulnerability leads to trust,

And trust is the foundation of any lasting relationship.

In relationships where both partners are vulnerable and willing to give,

Love becomes a shared experience of growth and transformation.

Giving without expecting anything in return doesn't deplete us.

Rather,

It creates a sense of wholeness,

Knowing that we are contributing to the well-being of another person and the health of the relationship.

Selflessness in love doesn't always require grand gestures.

Often it's the small everyday acts that matter the most.

It could be taking on a task that your partner finds difficult,

Offering an understanding ear when they need to talk,

Or simply being there to share a quiet moment together.

These acts of selflessness are often more significant than we realize.

It's the cumulative effect of these small offerings that builds the depth of a relationship.

When both partners engage in these everyday acts of kindness,

They create a strong foundation of mutual respect and care.

Over time,

These actions deepen the emotional connection and help both people feel secure in the relationship.

Selflessness doesn't always mean making huge sacrifices.

It means being attentive to the needs of the other person and offering support in ways that may not be immediately visible but are deeply meaningful.

It's in these simple acts that the heart of love is often found.

In conclusion,

Selflessness giving in love is an essential ingredient for building a strong lasting relationship.

It is not about self-sacrifice,

Nor is it about giving up your individuality.

Rather,

It is the act of offering yourself,

Your time,

Your care,

Your support out of a genuine desire to see your partner grow and thrive.

When both partners engage in selfless giving,

The relationship becomes a place of mutual care and deep emotional connection.

It is through this giving that trust is built,

Intimacy deepens and love flourishes.

Selflessness allows us to create a bond that is not based on what we can get from the other person,

But on what we can contribute to each other's lives.

So,

As we reflect on our own relationships,

Let us remember that true love is not about keeping score,

But about offering ourselves freely.

In giving we receive,

In loving we are loved.

And through this cycle of selflessness,

Love becomes a force that strengthens and nourishes both individuals,

Creating a partnership that is deeply fulfilling and lasting.

I would like to finish by saying thank you for listening.

Meet your Teacher

Felix SchaeferBerlin, Germany

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© 2025 Felix Schaefer. All rights reserved. All copyright in this work remains with the original creator. No part of this material may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

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