Friday Review: Generosity
How can and will you demonstrate a generous spirit over the coming months? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“Happiness is like jam. You can’t spread even a little without getting some on yourself.”
Tag Archives: generosity
We are wired for generosity and educated for greed.
We are wired for generosity and educated for greed. Let your innate instincts for goodness and giving prevail.
—Calm App Reflection
Image from Unsplash by CDC
I’m not so sure I fully agree with today’s quote.
I can think of numerous examples where some folks are wired for greed and educated for generosity. How about you?
Consider parenting when children refuse to share with their siblings. Whether it’s a favorite toy or even a snack, the phrase That’s Mine! and some tears often result.
With maturity and positive role modeling from loving parents, our little ones often begin to experience the rewards of giving and supporting those around them.
EXERCISE:
Where do you see the good and bad in our natural wiring?
How do positive and negative role models create a dichotomy in the way we treat others?
Which way are you leaning in your thoughts and actions?
“Generosity is not a loan to repay or a debt to settle. It’s a gift to appreciate.”
“Generosity is not a loan to repay or a debt to settle. It’s a gift to appreciate.”
—Adam Grant, American organizational psychologist and bestselling author
Image from Unsplash by Giullia Bertelli
Adam Grant’s book, Give and Take, is one of my favorites. If you have yet to read it, today’s quote could be one of the top nuggets to summarize its wisdom.
Through his extensive research of givers, takers, and matchers, it’s the givers of the world who seem to lead the most richly rewarding lives.
Perhaps the best way to show our appreciation of the generosity of others is simply to acknowledge it.
EXERCISE:
I hope you will take Adam’s advice and give the generous people in your life your sincere appreciation for their many gifts.
Happiness is like jam
“Happiness is like jam. You can’t spread even a little without getting some on yourself.”
—Anonymous
Ella and Weston, Barry’s grandchildren
For the past few years my wife Wendy, our daughter Rachel, and I engage in a multi-day peach preserve project. With 75 pounds of Georgia’s best, we blanche, peel, chop, can, and seal over five dozen jars of this sweet precious goo.
Doing our best to avoid cuts, burns, and keeping our relationship intact, we always feel very satisfied when the job is done. Given Wendy’s generous nature, about four dozen go out as gifts to sweeten the lives of others throughout the year.
EXERCISE:
What are some ways that you plan to spread a little happiness around this holiday season and into the year ahead?
Try a little tenderness. Direct kindness to yourself and others throughout the day. We all need it!
Try a little tenderness. Direct kindness to yourself and others throughout the day. We all need it!
Image from Unsplash by Mei-Ling Mirow
When I hear the word tenderness my initial thoughts go to meat. I remember as a child my mom shaking a canister of Adolph’s meat tenderizer over various cuts of meat, especially those that required a bit more molar action.
These days I think about babies and young children and how we adults act around them and their innocent natures. Noticing our efforts at baby talk and delicate handling, these precious little ones get the lion share of our tenderness and kind attention.
EXERCISE:
Where and with whom could you offer a little more tenderness? How can you be even kinder and more generous with your softer side?
“Who in your life deserves a sincere apology and a shift in your behavior?”
“Who in your life deserves a sincere apology and a shift in your behavior?”
—Calm App Reflection
Image from Unsplash by mark tulip
Apologizing is an act of generosity. It acknowledges a wrongdoing and seeks to make amends. We cannot change the past, but a sincere apology and a request for forgiveness can create the foundation for a better future.
Make note of the word “can.”
Words alone without a definitive and observable change in behavior aren’t usually enough to mend life’s fences for long.
EXERCISE:
To whom might you owe a sincere apology? What do you plan to say and what new promises regarding your future behavior will make things right?
Every little bit helps
Every little bit helps.
—Calm App Reflection
Image from Unsplash by Lina Trochez
What small deed will you perform today to improve someone’s life?
Performing small acts of kindness and generosity is our birthright. Small gestures — even if they go unnoticed — move mountains as they contribute to the people and communities we care about.
Going small and going big are both ways of going.
Everything counts.
EXERCISE:
What small deed can and will you perform today to improve someone’s life?
What would making this a daily habit bring to you and your world?
Friday Review: Generosity
Friday Review: GENEROSITY
How can and will you demonstrate a generous spirit over the coming months? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“Ideas, bread, and books are all the same. They’re better when they are shared.”
“Run marathons in the footwear of others.”
“Be frugal and generous.”
“Be frugal and generous.”
—Laszlo Bock, author of Work Rules
Image from Amazon
The pandemic and its economic repercussions have caused many a family and business to tighten their belts. Being mindful of diminishing or scarce resources has created levels of frugality not seen since the Great Depression.
At the same time, this shared experience has spurred many to extraordinary acts of generosity and selflessness to support those in need.
What examples of frugality and generosity have you observed in your personal and professional communities? Where have you been both frugal and generous at the same time?
EXERCISE:
What life lessons have you learned this past year regarding the virtues of frugality and generosity?
Please reply to this post to share your own stories and insights.
“Run marathons in the footwear of others.”
“Run marathons in the footwear of others.”
—Author Unknown
Image from Unsplash by Joshua Coleman
Most of us have been taught to walk a mile in others shoes before we are quick to judge. If you have done this during the past year, how has it impacted your life and the way you treat others?
What if, instead of a mile of walking, you ran 26.2 miles in the footwear of some of these individuals, to more fully explore their difficulties and heartaches?
Have you ever watched a marathon in person, or seen the Olympic or Boston event? If so, you would have seen thousands of people lining the routes, encouraging and supporting each competitor to run the best race possible, and reach their goal.
EXERCISE:
How and in what ways can you more fully appreciate the marathons others are running in your world? How can and will you reach out more generously and compassionately to support their courageous efforts?