I'm sure you have heard the phrase, "It's better to
give than to receive." How true. But how do you give something
you have not yet received yourself? What if you are caught up
in the whirlwind of life and feel you have nothing extra to
spare? Your finances might be stretched and you just cringe at
the thought of another "Charity" asking for a donation. Maybe
you've thought about volunteering but you just can't seem to
find the time, since you can barely get the things done in a
day that you need to do for yourself.
How can you be a giver when so much seems to be trying to
take, take, take from you? Taking YOUR time, your resources
and just draining you of anything you might have extra to
give.
If this resonates with you then let me ask you to re- read
the first paragraphs above. Notice a theme? We often associate
Generosity with the giving of things we have an abundance of.
The donating of our extra money. The volunteering of our extra
time. The giving of our extra things. Generosity is so much
more. Generosity is not just about searching your pockets for
a few extra pennies to drop in the cup as you walk past the
bell ringer... It's not just about giving the Salvation Army
the left over things that did not sell at your yard sale.
Generosity is less about how much we give but more so about
how much it cost us.
Generosity at its core is love.
Being truly Generous is not about giving what we have
"extra." It's about looking at life in a very different way.
It's about appreciating the needs of others more so than the
needs of ourselves and sacrificing our own wants and desires
to try and meet the needs and desires of others first. When we
begin to appreciate others more than ourselves, we let go of
our often indulgent nature. Generosity is caring about others
in a way that makes you find a way to give more. More time.
More resources. More love. Generosity doesn't have to come by
way of stroking a big check... it can come in the subtle
interactions you have each day. Every interaction and
experience we have with another human being is an opportunity
for us to practice Generosity. Generosity with letting them go
first in line, holding the door for them, being patient, being
humble, forgiving someone, or just filling someone's day with
a few minutes of genuine interest and praise. You don't have
to "have" in order to give. You just need to "give" in order
to receive. To give and receive the gift of love.
We don't give to receive but as you begin to give more of
yourself, you increase your capacity of experiencing love,
joy, happiness, and fulfillment. Generosity is like a muscle,
the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets. The more good
we do, the more good we are able to do which ultimately
reciprocates itself back to us.
This week be encouraged to examine your life and look at
the ways you can exercise your Generosity with others. Love
instead of having to be loved. Console instead of having to be
consoled. Forgive instead of having to be forgiven. Give more
than you take.
Until next time... Be Kind.
-Daniel
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Share Your Thoughts on Generosity
Email us with
your thoughts and ideas on how we all can lead a more generous
life. Email: daniel@giftofkindness.com
